Children’s Pastor

Liberty Heights Church; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Baptist Church in Sioux City, IA seeks a dedicated Children’s Pastor to shepherd birth through 5th grade and their families in a gospel-centered, Scripture-driven ministry aligned with the church’s mission to make disciples.

The pastor will lead a volunteer team, develop age-appropriate curriculum, ensure safety policies, and oversee programs such as Equipping Hour, Children’s Church, AWANA, and VBS, all with warmth and energy.

Qualifications

• Must be a man that meets biblical elder qualifications.
• Five years of vocational ministry experience.
• Ability to teach Scripture with clarity and creativity.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Shepherd children birth–5th grade and families with gospel-centered, Scripture-driven ministry.
• Lead a discipleship pathway and equip parents as primary disciple-makers.
• Recruit, train, and shepherd volunteers; maintain safety policies.
• Develop age-appropriate curricula and oversee programs (Equipping Hour, Children’s Church, AWANA, VBS, camps, family events).
• Collaborate with pastoral staff and elders on church-wide discipleship.

Skills

Teach Scripture clearly

Volunteer leadership

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Creativity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in ministry or related field

Job description

Position Overview

At Central Baptist Church, we long to see people captured and captivated by the awesomeness of God so they can experience and enjoy all that God offers us in Christ. This longing is expressed through our calling to make disciples who make disciples and connect people to Christ, the Word of God, and the family of God. We aim to equip people with biblical knowledge to confront sin in their lives and live a life of obedience. Finally, Central seeks to send our people into the world to serve God as messengers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Children’s Pastor will shepherd children (birth–5th grade) and their families through a gospel-centered, Scripture-driven ministry aligned with Central Baptist Church’s mission to “make disciples who make disciples”. This pastor ministers to and equips parents as primary disciple-makers, nurtures children toward a growing faith in Christ, and leads volunteers in a joy-filled ministry.

This role requires a man who demonstrates spiritual maturity, pastoral warmth, creativity, high energy, and the ability to lead and develop a team of volunteers.

Ministry Purpose

To shepherd children and families through a biblically faithful, Christ-exalting, discipleship-based children’s ministry that integrates seamlessly with the church’s broader mission and vision, equipping parents, engaging volunteers, and nurturing a joy-filled culture of lifelong discipleship.

Responsibilities and Expectations

A.Shepherding & Discipleship

• Provide pastoral care to children and families, modeling humility and compassion.
• Lead a discipleship pathway that builds biblical literacy, gospel identity, and spiritual habits.
• Equip parents to be the primary disciple-makers through training, resources, and ongoing support.
• Intentionally maintain consistent presence, hospitality, and follow-up with families.

B.Teaching & Curriculum

• Ensure all teaching aligns with the church’s doctrinal convictions and the authority of Scripture.
• Select or develop gospel-centered curriculum and age-appropriate learning goals.
• Provide ongoing training and encouragement to teachers and volunteers.
• Teach regularly in children’s ministry with clarity, creativity, and theological depth.
• Establish age-appropriate learning, memory plans, and benchmarks for children.

C.Leadership & Administration

• Oversee all children’s ministry programs (Sun: Equipping Hour, Children’s Church; Wed: AWANA; Special Events: VBS, camps, and family events).
• Recruit, train, and shepherd volunteers; uphold safety and child protection policies.
• Implement and maintain robust safety policies, including check-in systems, child protection protocols, emergency procedures, and volunteer background checks.
• Manage communication, scheduling, resources, and annual budgeting.
• Collaborate with pastoral staff and elders to support church-wide discipleship.

D.Family Engagement

• Build strong relationships with parents through visibility and communication.
• Provide classes and resources for family discipleship.
• Encourage and facilitate intergenerational connections.
• Offer biblical counsel related to parenting and spiritual formation.

E.Creative Ministry Development

• Cultivate a joyful, engaging, and safe ministry environment.
• Develop creative, age-appropriate ways for children to understand and apply biblical truth.
• Introduce innovative ministry opportunities consistent with the church’s mission.

Qualifications

A.Biblical and Spiritual Qualifications

• Must be a man that meets the biblical qualifications of an Elder (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).
• Demonstrates a vibrant walk with Christ, marked by love for God and others.
• Affirms the church’s doctrinal convictions and discipleship philosophy.

B.Professional Competencies

• Strong ability to teach Scripture with clarity and creativity.
• Proven leadership in recruiting, training, and shepherding volunteers.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• High energy, creativity, and a collaborative spirit.

C.Education & Experience

• A clear calling to children’s pastoral ministry and discipling families.
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry, biblical studies, Christian education, or related field (graduate studies preferred).
• Minimum five years of vocational ministry experience in a similar role.

Expected Outcomes

• Children grow in biblical knowledge, faith, spiritual habits, and love for Christ.
• Parents feel supported and equipped as disciple-makers.
• Volunteers are unified, valued, and well-trained.
• Ministry environments are safe, excellent, and aligned with the church’s mission.
• A culture of joy, creativity, and Christ-centered engagement is clearly evident across all children’s ministry environments.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of background checks and child protection screenings.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and flexible ministry hours.
• Participation in staff meetings, elder meetings, and church-wide initiatives.