Associate Pastor/Director of Student Ministries

Living Grace Community Church; Cary (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Living Grace Community Church in Cary, IL is seeking an associate pastor or director of student ministries to cast a compelling vision for discipling middle and high school students. The role emphasizes prayer, Bible teaching, authentic relationships, and gospel-centered outreach to the church and community.

You will recruit and equip volunteers, plan events and curricula for 6th–12th grade, and partner with the elder board and senior pastor to advance ministry goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Christian education, spiritual formation, or student ministry.
• Clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and call to student ministry.
• Character aligned with EFCA Statement of Faith and Living Grace Church bylaws.
• Ability to communicate and teach the Word of God and share the gospel.
• Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a student ministry for 6th–12th graders emphasizing prayer, worship, relationships, and discipleship.
• Plan events for students: retreats, small/large groups, Christian education, VBS, mission trips, outreach.
• Oversee family ministries curriculum for 6th–12th grade.
• Recruit, equip, and empower lay leaders to accomplish ministry objectives.
• Provide counseling within the scope of student ministries and leverage social platforms to engage youth.
• Present annual report on ministry progress to the elder board and congregation.

Skills

Communication and teaching

Interpersonal relationship building

Leadership of volunteer teams

Discipleship and ministry planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree or greater

Christian education emphasis preferred

Tools

Social media platforms

Church management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Depending on the successful candidate's education, ministry experience and qualifications, the position may carry either the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries or Director of Student Ministries title.

JOB SUMMARY

Become a vital part of a growing body of believers who seek to be living grace to our community. At Living Grace Community Church, you will have the opportunity to create a vision for engaging, discipling and empowering the students of Living Grace Community Church and beyond. We are a church focused on prayer, faithful Bible teaching, the gospel of Christ, Christ-centered relationships and reaching out to our community and the world with the love of Jesus Christ. You will have the chance to help us fulfill our calling to minister to students through strong relational ministry, small groups, large groups, events, church programs, retreats, outreach, missions and partnership with like-minded ministries.

QUALIFICATIONS

• a. Strong preference for a Bachelor’s degree or greater. An emphasis on Christian education, spiritual formation and/or student ministry is strongly preferred.
• b. Must have and be willing to share a clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrate a specific call to student ministry within the church and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.
• c. Must be an individual who is of established Christian character, being sound in faith and doctrine and who demonstrates a lifestyle in harmony with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) Statement of Faith and with the constitution and bylaws of Living Grace Community Church.
• d. Must demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate and teach of the Word of God and particularly to confidently share the gospel.
• e. Must demonstrate superior interpersonal and relationship building skills.

LINE OF AUTHORITY

• a. This position reports to the senior pastor and is accountable to the congregation through the elder board.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This student ministries position shall work in concert with ministry staff and the elder board to further the vision and ministries of Living Grace Community Church as follows:

• a. Develop and maintain a purposeful and effective student ministry for 6th - 12th graders that includes: Persistent and empowering prayer, worship of God, genuine and accepting relationships and disciplemaking.
• b. Plan and participate in special events for students including but not limited to: Retreats, small groups, large groups, Christian education, Vacation Bible School, mission trips and community outreach.
• c. Provide oversight/assistance to the family ministries team, including recommending curriculum for Christian education for 6th through 12th grade.
• d. Recruit, manage, equip and empower a team of lay leaders who will work collaboratively to accomplish the objectives and vision set out for student ministries by the senior pastor and elder board.
• e. Provide counseling within the scope of student ministries.
• f. Leverage technology and social media platforms necessary to connect with today's youth.
• g. Present a written report at the annual congregational business meeting, including a summary of accomplishments and progress from the prior year.
• h. Serve as a representative of the church to the community, the broader body of Christ, and the EFCA.

EXPECTATIONS

• a. The associate pastor/director of student ministries is expected to become and remain in long-term ministry as a member of Living Grace Community Church.
• b. The associate pastor/director of student ministries will develop, share, and implement annual goals for themselves and share those goals with the senior pastor, elder board and other church staff members.
• c. The associate pastor/director of student ministries will regularly engage with the elder board on ministry progress.
• d. The associate pastor/director of student ministries is expected to work one or more nights per week as required to attend student meetings, student events, family ministries commission meetings and/or other relevant church business as well as other church activities outside of the traditional workday.
• e. Salary and other benefits for the associate pastor/director of student ministries will be established by the elder board and will be reviewed periodically.
• f. The associate pastor/director of student ministries will attend the regular staff meetings.