Next Gen Discipleship Director

Salina First UMC); Salina (KS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Next Gen Discipleship Director at Salina First UMC leads a dynamic children, youth and family ministry, training staff, and partnering with parents to guide faith formation. You will recruit and train paid and volunteer staff, implement age-appropriate curricula, ensure Safe Gathering practices, manage budgets, and collaborate with pastors and leadership to advance the church mission.

This full-time role requires strong leadership, creativity, and excellent communication to connect with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in ministry or related field preferred.
• Growing relationship with Jesus and alignment with Salina First doctrine.
• Experience in children’s and/or youth ministry and staff development.
• Excellent communication and conflict management.
• Ability to develop and implement ministry programs.
• Must be a self-starter with creativity.

Responsibilities

• Maintain office hours and participate in Sunday School and worship services.
• Create and execute innovative children’s and youth programs aligned with Salina First UMC mission.
• Select curricula aligned with Wesleyan theology and adapt as needed.
• Coordinate recruitment, training, and placement of ministry staff; ensure Safe Gathering.
• Assess programs and budgets; maintain accurate records.
• Communicate with children, youth, and parents via social media, digital and print.
• Collaborate with paid and unpaid staff to maintain teamwork.
• Ensure Safe Gatherings policies in all settings.
• Collaborate with Children’s Ministry Team on faith formation plan.
• Support Pastor and Leadership Team; lead Confirmation classes with pastor.
• Utilize Planning by Worship Tools, Breeze, and Vital Sign to manage records.

Skills

Team leadership

Creativity

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Administration

Evangelism

Pastoral shepherding

Conflict management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in ministry/education

Tools

Breeze

Planning by Worship Tools

VitalSign

Job description

Next Gen Discipleship Director

Position Description

Mission Statement: Love God, Serve Others and Transform Lives Through Christ

Job Title: Next Gen Discipleship Director

Position Status: Full Time

Role Overview

The Next Gen Discipleship Director is responsible for cultivating and leading a dynamic and safe ministry for children, youth and family ministries, empowering parents and connecting with the community. The Director will recruit and train staff who engage with children and youth, demonstrating God’s love, teaching them God’s Word, and fostering fellowship within the church community. This foundation aims to keep children and youth engaged with their faith and church as they grow into adulthood. The Director provides prayerful, visionary leadership for the overall operation of children’s and youth ministry.

Qualifications

1. A bachelor’s degree in ministry, education or related field is an added advantage.
2. A growing relationship with Jesus and agreement with Salina First doctrinal standards and theology.
3. Self-starter. Creativity is a must. Ability to develop programs, required.
4. Excellent teamwork and management abilities.
5. Ability to innovate, initiate, organize, complete, and follow up on tasks. Teachable and open to feedback.
6. Strong interpersonal skills, with proven effectiveness working with children, youth, parents, and volunteers.
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict management abilities, and proficiency with computers.
8. Self-motivated to study and improve knowledge and skills as needed for the role.
9. Experience in children’s and/or youth ministry. Gifts in administration, evangelism, and pastoral/shepherding are valuable additions.

Accountability

1. Accountable to the lead pastor for supervision and evaluation.
2. Must maintain strict confidentiality.

Responsibilities

1. Maintain office hours, be present at Sunday School and Sunday worship services, and attend meetings as needed.
2. Ensure the creation and execution of innovative children’s and youth ministry programs aligned with the mission of Salina First UMC.
3. Be familiar with available curricula and assist in selecting age-appropriate, teacher-friendly curricula consistent with Wesleyan theology; modify as needed to meet the needs of students, teachers, and staff.
4. Coordinate the recruitment, training, and placement of unpaid and paid ministry staff to ensure adequate adult-to-child/youth ratios. Ensure all ministry staff are Safe Gathering certified.
5. Perform ongoing assessment of children’s and youth ministry programs, procedures, and systems to evaluate effectiveness and alignment with the mission and vision of Salina First UMC.
6. Keep records of children’s and youth’s participation and manage the ministry budgets.
7. Establish and implement a consistent communication plan with children, youth, and parents, using social media, digital, and print forms. Ensure the church community is informed about ministry events.
8. Work collaboratively with other paid and unpaid staff members, maintaining a teamwork mentality.
9. Ensure that Safe Gatherings policies are observed in all children’s and youth ministry settings.
10. Collaborate with the Children’s Ministry Team to create and execute an aligned faith formation ministry plan.
11. Support and guide the work of the Pastor and the Leadership Team.
12. Coordinate and teach Confirmation classes in partnership with the pastor(s) and provide leadership for confirmands, sponsors, and parents beyond the classroom.

Utilize software such as Planning by Worship Tools; Breeze and Vital Sign to maintain accurate records for all children’s and youth programming.