Emerging Leaders

Designed to nurture and develop emerging leaders and Jesus-followers within GRLC, Emerging Leaders is a Kingdom-focussed program empowering young adults to flourish in their Spirit-given gifts, calling and commissioning together as God’s church.

Submit your interest

What is this program?

We at GRLC see the critical role of leadership both within and beyond the church. Our heartbeat for leadership is found in our new life with Jesus and is directly related to our discipleship; that we are led by Jesus, to lead with Jesus, to lead others to Jesus.

We have discerned that God has equipped and called GRLC to be a church that is building a leadership culture for His kingdom. We chose to partner with God in empowering people to flourish in their Spirit-given gifts, calling and commissioning together as His church.

Alongside our introduction to a consistent and intentional approach to leadership across all our ministries and church sites in 2026, we seek to create a specifically focused and tailored opportunity for a cohort of young adults, called the Emerging Leaders program. They will be volunteer members of staff in a set role (see below) for 2026.

Who is this program for?

1. Young adults out of school aged 17-29 years old.

2. Disciples of Jesus.

3. Those who already show a demonstrated commitment to GRLC through volunteering and engagement in our discipleship gatherings, like Sundays and Small Groups.

4. Discerning a sense of call into pastoral ministry and/or leadership gifting.

5. Has the time capacity of 12-16 hours per week in 2026, starting early Feb to commit to this program. This includes the ministry program their role will serve in and the capacity to come into the church office to do their other hours.

We see this program working well for those studying, working part-time, or doing a gap year.

What are the Leadership Roles?

The roles that make up the Emerging Leaders program for 2026 include:

Chipping Norton Sunday River Kids Coordinator

This role will give the leader the opportunity to:

Prepare, facilitate and be responsible for the whole meaningful weekly discipleship program for River Kids at Chipping Norton Sunday gatherings
Prepare, facilitate and be responsible for the kids activities at Community Connect fortnightly, in order to build strong and meaningful connections with our community
Develop skills in running bigger community and child outreach events
Coach and lead other leaders towards priority goals through one-to-one meetings, and small team gatherings (huddles) that encourage and empower leaders and increase ministry effectiveness

Chipping Norton Youth Coordinator

This role will give the leader the opportunity to:

Prepare, facilitate and be responsible for a meaningful weekly discipleship program for teens at Chipping Norton Sunday gatherings
Develop skills in ideation, innovation and organisational execution as they practice starting new initiatives for the sake of discipling teens and reaching teens in the Chipping Norton community
Advocate for teen discipleship in wider and intergenerational church environments
Coach and lead other leaders towards priority goals through one-to-one meetings, and small team gatherings (huddles) that encourage and empower leaders and increase ministry effectiveness

Chipping Norton Sunday Gathering Coordinator

This role will give the leader the opportunity to:

Work towards preparing, facilitating and being responsible for the running of the Chipping Norton gatherings
Develop skills in organisational management, admin/planning, and working with volunteers
Develop and be coached in upfront skills regarding preaching and service leading
Coach and lead other leaders towards priority goals through one-to-one meetings, and small team gatherings (huddles) that encourages and empowers leaders and increases ministry effectiveness

Peakhurst River Kids Coach

This role will give the leader the opportunity to:

Prepare, facilitate and be responsible for components of the River Kids Sunday program
Develop organisational skills in running the larger River Kids Peakhurst program and ministry areas
Develop skills in a particular passion area / element of ministry work
Coach and lead other River Kids leaders towards priority goals through one to one meetings, and small team gatherings (huddles) that encourages and empowers leaders and increases ministry effectiveness

Friday Night Youth Coordinator

This role will give the leader the opportunity to:

Develop skills in ideation, innovation and organisational execution as they practice managing the Friday Night Youth program based at Peakhurst and larger events
Develop skills in a particular area of interest / element of ministry work
Coach and lead other youth leaders towards priority goals through one-to-one meetings, and small team gatherings (huddles) that encourage and empower leaders and increase ministry effectiveness

Georges River Discipleship

What does it mean to be part of the emerging leaders cohort?

Volunteer Staff Team

Part of the Volunteer Staff Team

Which means chances to develop alongside the staff in meetings, training and retreats. Experience the joy of being on team, how a church of our size and ministries function and learning from one another.

Fortnightly Input

Fortnightly Input with the Cohort

On Wednesday nights (opposite to small group weeks and in school terms), the cohort will gather for intentional training from different staff members. Topics will include discipleship foundations, formational practices, Connection Codes, Conflict Training, Character leadership topics like integrity, courage, Leading from Your strengths and Widget assessments, Organisational and Time management, Speaking Vision and more.

Spiritual Retreat

Spiritual Retreat Weekend (May)

The Cohort will go away for time to focus on what God is saying to them through group learning and reflection and extended times of silence and solitude.

Exponential Conference

Exponential Conference (4-6 August)

The Cohort will all fly to the Gold Coast and learn from some of the great minds in the church ministry and church planting world.

Books and Mentors

Books, Mentors and More!

The Cohort will be given books on formation, prayer, teaching, leadership and ministry. Emerging leaders will be under the mentorship of the Emerging Leader Coordinator, work directly under the leadership of Staff member in their role and have opportunities to access formal coaching sessions, mentors from other churches depending on what best suits each individuals needs.

How do I share my interest?

1. Fill in the interest form (below) to let us know you are interested by Thursday 18 December

2. A staff member will meet with you for coffee to chat about your interest form and discuss more what your thoughts are, give you more information about interested roles and help you with your discernment

3. An interview will occur

4. We hope to offer all available roles by end of Jan, for a mid Feb start.

Submit your interest here

Please note that you do not currently have to be part of the Chipping Norton Site to apply for one of the Chipping Norton roles. We would encourage Peakhurst site congregants to express interest, knowing you will still be encouraged to attend your current Small Group and PM Peakhurst service.

Got questions?

Email Sophie Brodie (Generations Pastor) at [email protected] or include your questions in the expression of interest form.

Submit your interest