Church staffing conversations have evolved rapidly in recent years. What worked a decade ago—or even just two years ago—is no longer enough.

As churches navigate shifts in engagement, technology, and volunteer participation, it’s clear that traditional roles must adapt to meet modern ministry challenges.

Back in 2023, I outlined five key staff positions churches needed to stay effective. Many churches have since added some version of these roles through staff, contractors, or high-capacity volunteers. But times change, and so do the staffing needs of the church.

What’s Changed in Church Staffing?

As we get into the specific roles, we’ll consider the questions every church should be asking about its staffing structure and approach:

✅ What has changed in how people engage with church?
✅ Which positions are still essential, and which ones need an upgrade?
✅ What new roles should churches consider to remain effective in 2025 and beyond?

Let’s jump in…

5 Church Staff Positions That Need an Upgrade

In 2023, I introduced 5 new roles churches should consider. Here’s how I’ve seen these positions evolve:

1. From Weekend Experience Director → Church Experience Director

Great churches today recognize we are living in the “experience economy.” A great Sunday service isn’t just about content—it’s about how people experience God, community, and their next steps.

The upgrade? The Weekend Experience Director was a step up from a worship leader or Guest Services Director, but it’s no longer enough. In a hybrid world, weekend and digital experiences must be integrated.

What’s different in 2025?

• • The Church Experience Director oversees both in-person and online engagement.
  • This role combines elements of a Communications Director and Service Planning Director for consistency across platforms.
  • Can be a staff role, contractor, or high-capacity volunteer.

2. From Production Director → Production Leader

This may seem like splitting hairs, but there’s a key distinction: Directors get things done; leaders get things done through people.

Most church production staff are excellent operators, but they can struggle to lead a team. That’s a problem because:

• • Production has scaled. It’s no longer a one-person job.
  • Contracting musicians is easy. Finding someone to lead volunteers in production? Not so much.

The upgrade? Hire a Production Leader to attract, develop, and manage a contract or volunteer production team.

🛠 Staff or volunteer? This role can be staffed or a high-capacity volunteer position reporting to the Church Experience Director.

3. From Communications Director → AI Engine

The modern church communication landscape has expanded beyond what one person can manage. You’re juggling:

• • Email campaigns
  • Social media strategies
  • Website updates
  • Livestream engagement
  • Event promotions

Rather than relying on a full-time staffer to write everything manually, churches should leverage AI-powered content creation.

✅ Use AI to generate content (emails, social posts, blog articles, sermon research).
✅ Free up staff time for strategy, storytelling, and engagement.
✅ Focus on leadership over logistics.

4. Information & Data Analyst (Still Essential, But Growing in Importance)

This position hasn’t changed—it’s only become more vital. Data informs decisions, and churches that ignore data are flying blind.

• • Are first-time visitors returning?
  • What sermon topics lead to the most engagement?
  • Where are people getting stuck in the discipleship process?

A staff member, contractor, or volunteer with an analytical mind should be tracking and interpreting key church metrics so that leaders can make better decisions.

5. From Adult Engagement Director → Discipleship Pathway Director

Here’s a truth we’ve ignored for too long: Engagement does not equal discipleship.

Churches have traditionally defined “engagement” as:

• • Attending a small group
  • Serving on a team
  • Giving regularly

The problem? People can be engaged without growing spiritually. The Discipleship Pathway Director ensures that engagement leads to spiritual transformation.

What’s different?

• • Focus on next steps of faith growth (not just activity).
  • Align engagement with the Great Commission.
  • Track discipleship movement, not just involvement.

4 New Church Roles to Consider in 2025

1. Digital Discipleship & Engagement Leader

Churches that separate digital from discipleship are missing a massive opportunity. Digital tools aren’t just for content—they should enhance and support faith formation.

📲 Responsibilities:

✅ Develop online discipleship pathways (courses, content, coaching).
✅ Oversee virtual small groups, Bible studies, and prayer networks.
✅ Manage church app engagement and faith-building tools.
✅ Personalize follow-ups using AI-driven insights.

2. AI & Tech Integration Strategist

AI is here. The question is: Are churches using it wisely?

Churches of 5,000+ may be able to hire for this position. For most churches, this should be a volunteer or contractor role.

🔧 Responsibilities:

✅ Research and implement AI-driven tools for communication, data analysis, and discipleship.
✅ Train staff and volunteers on AI-powered workflows.
✅ Optimize church data for better decision-making.

3. Volunteer Mobilization & Leadership Development Director

Post-pandemic, volunteer engagement is at an all-time low. It’s not just about recruiting—it’s about equipping and retaining volunteers for long-term impact.

🚀 Responsibilities:

✅ Build a volunteer discipleship pipeline.
✅ Create leadership development opportunities.
✅ Ensure strong onboarding and training.
✅ Track volunteer engagement metrics and retention.

4. Community Impact Director

Churches in 2025 must move beyond Sunday services and become community hubs. This role ensures churches engage with their local community in meaningful ways.

🏡 Responsibilities:

✅ Partner with local schools, nonprofits, and businesses.
✅ Organize service projects and outreach events.
✅ Manage benevolence programs and community care initiatives.
✅ Align outreach efforts with the church’s discipleship pathway.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, churches need strategic roles that integrate technology, discipleship, and community engagement. The key isn’t just adding more positions—but reshaping roles to fit today’s realities.

🚀 Would you like me to refine this into an updated staffing guide for churches?

Call to Action

Looking for a customized strategy for your church staffing needs? We can help. Let’s talk about the future of your church.

Quotes for Inspiration

• “Your structure should support your mission—not limit it.”
• “The right people in the right seats can change everything.”
• “Church staffing isn’t about hiring—it’s about equipping.”

One More Thing…

At Church Accelerator, we offer consulting, content, and community for churches of every size in any denomination.

We offer:
✅  Resources: Megachurch Resources for Normal-Sized Churches
✅  Workshops: Without a Plan, Success is Accidental and Failure isn’t Fixable.
✅  Consulting: Great Churches Don’t Happen by Accident. And…
✅  On-Demand Executive Leadership: A Fresh Perspective Delivered Through a Personal Partnership.

Work for us for as little as $49/month.

Leading With You,
Dr. Gavin Adams