Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Saint James United Methodist Church

JOB DESCRIPTION

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES

REPORTS TO:      Directing Pastor
SUPERVISES:      Sunday School, Child-care, Children and Youth Program Leaders
COMMITTEE RELATIONSHIPS: Church Council, Intentional Faith Development
STATUS:                Full-time, Exempt
REVIEWED:         September 2023

SUMMARY: The Director of Children and Youth Ministries is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, a comprehensive educational ministries for children and youth (infant through 12th grade) of the church and the community. The Director of Children and Youth Ministries will provide leadership to, and supervision of lay volunteers involved in this ministry. The Director of Children and Youth Ministries collaborates with other church/community programs, church staff, schools in the community, children, and youth agencies to meet the overall needs of our children and youth.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Leadership
  • Conduct needs assessment, consult with our Children and Youth Council, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs, services, and events planned for children and youth.
  • Design and implement programs, services, and events of interest to our children and youth of the congregation and community, including but not limited to, weekly study and fellowship, service projects, leadership development, fund raising, mission trips, conference events, youth services, and Sunday School.
  • Oversee the Sunday School programming for children and youth, Wednesday evening programming for children and youth, Vacation Bible School, church camp experiences.
  • Identify, select, and organize curricular materials approved by the United Methodist Church for use with children and youth.
  • Collaborate with colleagues, Children and Youth Council, leadership teams, church members, and committees to design and implement a well-coordinated set of children and youth activities.
  • Evaluate and report outcomes to the Directing Pastor and relevant church committees.
  • Assist with leading worship services at the request of the Directing Pastor and Passionate Worship Committee.
  • Monitor and support the work of volunteers in a manner that enhances service quality, efficiency, and communication throughout the congregation and the community.
• Supervision of Volunteers
  • Recruit, screen, and select teachers, childcare providers, and volunteers who will implement educational programs, enhancing the effectiveness of instruction by providing them with training, resources, supervision, consultation, and all necessary types of instructional support.
  • Review and evaluate curriculum materials and educational policies for children and youth with the Intentional Faith Development Committee.
• Children and Youth Relations
  • Foster healthy friendships with, between, and among the children, youth, and adults associated with the children and youth ministries.
  • Promote active participation by children and youth in the programs, services, and events sponsored by the congregation and the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference.
• Budget Planning
  • Develop, obtain approval, and implement an annual children and youth budget with assistance of the Children and Youth Council and with supervision and support of the Directing Pastor and Finance Administrator.
  • Raise funds with children and youth as needed to implement children and youth activities.
• Communication
  • Communicate children and youth activities, needs, and priorities to the church at-large via verbal, livestream, written means, such as the church’s website, weekly bulletin, email, announcements, and social media.
  • Hold parent/guardian meetings as needed throughout the year to keep parents/guardians informed of children and youth events and activities.
• General Responsibilities
  • Attend weekly staff meetings.
  • All other duties as assigned by the Directing Pastor.
  • Report incident of suspected fraud or concerns about inappropriate behavior to the Directing Pastor. In the event of suspected conduct of the Directing Pastor, reports should be made to the Chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a ministry-related field of study.
2. Previous experience working with children and youth required.
3. Demonstrated leadership skills, including organizing groups and implementing action plans.
4. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, especially the ability to quickly build rapport with children, youth, and their families.
5. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member with church staff, volunteers, and members.
6. Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office software programs and social media tools.
7. Ability to organize efficiently, establish priorities and attend to details.
8. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
9. Ability to speak and act in a manner that is consistent with Christian principles.
10. Willingness and ability to act as a servant leader in order to meet the needs of Saint James United Methodist Church and its guests.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Able to communicate effectively with staff, members, and others in person, by email, phone calls, and home visits
• Regularly uses hands and fingers to type.
• Ability to operate more standard office equipment.
• Frequently works varying hours and days, including Sundays and various Christian holy days/holidays.
• Occasionally travels around the community to companies and organizations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF JOB DUTIES:

I have read and received a copy of this job description. I understand that I am responsible for the duties as outlined above, as well as additional duties that may be necessary to meet the needs of Saint James United Methodist Church. I also understand that any questions I have regarding these duties should be clarified before signing below.

Received and acknowledged by:  ____________________________________

Date:_________________________________