The Youth Pastor should boldly lead our middle school (Rise) and high school (Fuel) ministry to the next level with creativity and vision while growing students in an engaging and thriving, safe God-centered environment that will ignite and equip the next generation to share their faith through an adventure of culturally current teaching, training, exploring, connecting and LOTS of FUN. The Pastor will be responsible for casting vision for the youth program and managing a team of volunteers whose focus is on the engagement of youth through new and existing worship, life groups, fellowship and mission outreach opportunities.
What are we looking for?
The Youth Pastor will plan and coordinate retreats and summer camps, create and manage the budget, implement new curriculum, plan and execute mission opportunities, organize fundraising events, train and support volunteers, create outreach opportunities for middle and high school students, and plan other student gatherings. This individual will also balance work within the church while being an active part of student’s activities outside the church walls: baseball games, dance recitals, FCA’s, and other extracurricular activities to stay connected with the students.
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Help communicate the Lead Pastor’s vision to staff, leaders, the church & beyond
- Serve as the dynamic primary leader of our student ministry team, providing overall direction of student ministries as it aligns with the broader direction and vision of Real Life
- Be an advocate for student ministry and educate the congregation and leadership about the hopes, concerns and needs of students in Real Life and the community.
- Be responsible for producing a high-quality, authentic, challenging weekly experience for students that compliments overall church series and programming
- Establish and communicate a vision and plan for middle and high school youth ministry that includes making disciples of youth through life groups, large group worship, serving in the church, and missions
- Partner with other leaders in developing a comprehensive vision for the Youth Ministry. This includes the spiritual, educational, physical, and emotional growth and engagement of students and their parents.
- Be intentional about integrating Youth Ministry into the Sunday morning corporate worship service
- Recruit, train, and inspire volunteers to become leaders in the planning and implementation of relevant, effective and safe ministry environments
- Provide places of online connection and community for students and families
- Develop systems of tracking and care for students, both on-site and online
- Provide support to students and their families as they transition through both age and spiritual milestones of middle school, high school and beyond
- Develop strategies to welcome and support new families to the student ministry by partnering with new members and new parents through activities and communication
- Provide clear partnership points for spiritual milestones like salvation and baptism.
- Oversee or collaborate on youth website, email distribution, text service and social media channels keeping youth and families informed, engaged and inspired.
- Look for and develop opportunities to minister to unbelieving students not in regular attendance at Real Life ministry activities
- Build relationships in the community that will help reach students outside of Real Life.
- Care for and quip small group leaders to teach and minister effectively to their students.
- Lead mission trips for both middle and high school ministries, including but not limited to planning, promoting, budgeting and executing.
- Meet regularly with adult leaders
- Provide pastoral counseling for students and families of teenagers.
- Be the catalyst to grow, build community relationships and spreads the word about our youth ministry in the surrounding area
- Assist as needed with campus-wide projects or events.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Pastor of Campus Ministries.
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree or work experience equivalence in this field
- Minimum of two or more years’ track record of successful growth in youth ministry
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in youth ministry or Christian education in a teaching role
- Experience in staff and volunteer management
- Background in designing weekly youth services along with managing and executing the details
- Experience recruiting and developing volunteers, both spiritually and as solid ministry leaders
- Experience, training/certification in youth ministry, as well as commitment to remaining current with trends and practices of effective youth ministries.