Youth Pastor

Wayzata Community Church; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Colorado Community Church began in 1993 as an independent church. Over the years, they have cultivated a culture that is intentionally multigenerational, multicultural, and interdenominational. They recognize the unique needs across different stages of life but believe the body is strongest when each part is present and sharing its gifts with one another.

In December 2019, CCC moved into a new to them and completely renovated facility in Aurora, previously a Gander Mountain retail location. The new space includes a 1,650-seat Worship Center, a 250-seat Chapel, and dedicated areas for Youth Ministry and Children’s Ministry. The church averages over 2,500 in-person attendees on weekends and roughly 3,000 when including online participation. The congregation is driven to serve and is well-known in the community for meeting various needs. The building is utilized for diverse community activities, and across the street, the church runs a community center (More Life Community Center) that houses multiple ministries to assist those in need.

CCC is excited about the future of their youth ministry. Their outgoing Youth Pastor, originally from Arkansas, is returning home to take on a Lead Pastor role. While they are saddened by the departure, there is much joy in this transition, as it presents a significant career opportunity for him and a chance for the Youth Ministry to take new steps in reaching the unchurched and growing disciples of Jesus.

CALLING & CONVICTIONS

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO CHRIST 

Leading an ever-increasing number of people to trust, worship, serve and proclaim Jesus as Savior, Lord and Friend.

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY 

Developing people that are living in covenant with each other and creating community for others in an isolated world. 

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO CALLING 

Mobilizing people to live as missionaries sent by God to seek His Kingdom and fulfill their purpose in our city and beyond. 

CONVICTIONS:

We believe Christ leads His Church;  therefore, we exist to glorify God by cultivating lives and hearts that are receptive to His leading. As a 21st century church with 1st century power, we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, grace and the gospel for the transformation of people into the image of Christ for the sake of others.

We measure our mission with testimonies of transformation;  especially those new names written in the Book of Life; people growing in the fruit of the Spirit; and laying down tracks for individual ministry.

We reach out as an externally-focused Base Camp:  a gathering place where Christ is worshipped; His Word is proclaimed; people are inspired, equipped and mobilized to serve Him; and where care, prayer and family are available to all.

We believe every member is a missionary;  therefore, we surrender the ministry of the Holy Spirit into the hands of an equipped congregation.

We are interdenominational and intercultural;  therefore, we honor and celebrate our God-given cultural and denominational differences in all areas of our ministry.

We strive to weave fabrics of friendship and grow fruit on other’s trees.  Knowing that it takes the whole Church to reach the whole city, we seek to unify the Church to serve the needs of our community by building kingdom partnerships with other ministries.

We believe in generous living.  In an attempt to live openhandedly with the blessings of God, we give a minimum of 10% to God: half to Colorado Community Church and the other half to ministries outside of it. We call this 5+5 giving.

We practice a responsible use of resources  and conduct our ministry in a manner that is cost-effective yet thorough.

We are a Covenant Community.  God enters into relationships with His creation through covenant. Seeking to follow in His ways, we make promises to each other, and if (when) covenant is broken, we are quick to seek forgiveness and reconciliation, because ultimately the world will know we are Christians by our love for one another.

To learn more about the beliefs of Colorado Community Community Church, click here.

YOUTH MINISTRY APPROACH

Colorado Community Church Youth Ministry ("3C Youth") aims to create engaging environments for middle and high school students. Their mission is to cultivate broad relationships (reaching out to unchurched and de-churched friends) while deepening students' faith. They achieve this through both large and small group settings. The Youth Pastor oversees all ministries from 6th through 12th grade at CCC, managing other paid staff (Associate Youth Director) and a team of volunteers.

Their heart, passion and vision: We provide events and gatherings designed to help teens witness God’s love and grace, immerse themselves in truth and community, and proclaim God’s greatness through serving others.

Engaging the Culture

A primary aim for the student ministry is to create environments where all students feel met, cared for, and loved by leaders who demonstrate Jesus' love. CCC leaders strive to be present in students' lives outside of the program, engaging in life-on-life relationships that foster depth, mentoring, and more.

Using Resources

Colorado Community Church is equipped with great spaces and resources to create environments for all to have a blast. Though they have moved into a new building, already there are challenges with spaces, so creating in programming is key in order to utilize the spaces in the best way. Programming can be diversified to open up pathways to continue to reach unchurched students and mature those who have relationship with Jesus.

Growing In All Ways

In everything that CCC does, Jesus is at the center. The Student Ministry settings are all geared toward knowing Jesus and making Him known. The leadership at CCC recognizes that many in the surrounding community do not yet know Jesus, so there is a strong emphasis on both growing in Jesus and building relationships with those who have not yet met Him. Students and leaders strive to know and love the community, sharing the love and grace of Jesus. Leadership hopes that what is modeled in the church community will be implemented and executed in the high school ministry as well.

If you want to see ministry in action, check out a highlight video from a weekend event earlier in 2024 HERE

And take a peak at a recently created document that explains who they are and what they do, HERE

LEADERSHIP

Colorado Community Church would describe their organizational structure as: Christ Centered, Board Governed, Staff Led and Congregation Mobilized!

Senior Pastor Robert Gelinas (pictured above left) and Executive Pastor Doug Carlsen (pictured above right) shepherd a very qualified and competent staff to lead and live out the calling and convictions of Colorado Community. This executive leadership team models authenticity; what you see on Sundays are the same individuals you'll see midweek; they own their mistakes and give feedback to teammates with candor and love, resulting in a staff not driven by fear, but given permission to take risks and lead in their areas of ministry.

Words that could be used to describe the two pastors:

Lead Pastor (Vision Caster) – Visionary, Listener, Transformational, Trusting

Executive Pastor (Vision Implementer & Day-to-Day) – Directive, Strategic, Transformational

The new Youth Pastor will be part of the Family Life Zone and will report to the Family Ministry Zone Director.

Here is a snapshot of most of the current staff:

CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY

SOLID FOUNDATION

The new Youth Pastor will have the opportunity to build upon a solid foundation and a group of students who enjoy community. The ministry is culturally, ethnically, and financially diverse, reflecting the congregation as a whole. With the CCC Children's Ministry growing, both the Youth Ministry Associate and Youth Pastor can anticipate a steady influx of graduating elementary students for years to come.

PROGRAM PURPOSE

The current weekend student ministry at Colorado Community Church primarily consists of churched youth and students whose parents bring them to church. Approximately 80-90 students attend on Sunday mornings, while Sunday evenings (high school) and Wednesday evenings (middle school) see an average attendance of 30-40 students each, drawing those who are eager to participate.

The new leader should assess the existing programming model and collaborate with executive leadership to determine the primary purposes and priorities. Leading with vision and clear communication will be crucial to ensure everyone is aligned with the direction and purpose of each ministry element.

Colorado Community places a high priority on reaching those who do not yet know Jesus. They seek a Youth Pastor who understands the balance between maturing believers and reaching unchurched youth. The new leader should not only have a passion for reaching local campuses but also possess the ability to empower other leaders to do the same.

LEADER OF LEADERS

Colorado Community has a solid base of lay leaders serving in the Youth Ministry on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. However, there is significant opportunity for growth and expansion of these teams, allowing middle and high school students greater access to adult leaders who are committed to mentoring their young lives. The current team of leaders has expressed a desire for more training and accountability as they take on an expanding shepherding role in the lives of students.

The new youth pastor should focus on building community and trust while providing practical training for spiritually mentoring students in one-on-one, small group, and larger group settings. This approach will strengthen the existing team and enhance their effectiveness in guiding the youth.

LOCATION & DEMOGRAPHICS

Colorado Community Church finds its home in Aurora, Colorado which is part of the greater Denver metro area. The area boast of 300 days of sunshine, a thriving cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. This intersection of culture and outdoor recreation has led to enormous growth in population in Aurora and the cities surrounding CCC. In 2006 the population of the city of Aurora was 296,999 by 2022 it had risen to nearly 394,000. God has placed the city on the heart of Colorado Community Church and they have a passion to reflect the diversity of their city and to serve him from right where they are. 

Follow this link to learn more about the demographics of the Aurora, Colorado area: Click Here.

GENERAL PROFILE OF THE ROLE

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The Pastor of Youth Ministry leads the Youth Ministry Department within the Family Life Zone. This position oversees both the Middle and High School Ministries and has a passion to see teenagers come to know Jesus Christ in a real way. This position reports to the Family Life Zone Director. This is a full-time, salaried, department leader position with benefits.

• Provide vision, leadership and resources for an effective, Christ-centered Youth Ministry at Colorado Community Church in order to help accomplish our overall Ministry Plan.
• Develop an annual, fiscally responsible department budget and ensure the department operates within its confines.
• Develop and execute an annual Ministry Plan for the Youth Ministry Department.
• Provide direct leadership and oversight to the paid youth ministry staff.
• Develop and lead a youth ministry volunteer team empowered to carry out aspects of the overall youth ministry.
• Ensure ministry volunteers are properly screened and trained, both for their protection and for the protection of our church.
• Organize and lead teens to serve as servant leaders.

Program Development:

• Prepare, lead and share the teaching responsibility at our midweek youth programs.
• Oversee the teaching at our weekend youth program(s).
• Provide leadership and oversight for a Student Leadership Program.
• Plan, coordinate and lead ministry events (retreats, service projects, missions trips, activities, etc.).
• Provide encouragement and support for students and staff from local school campuses.
• Weave fabrics of friendship with other ministries and as God leads help grow fruit on other’s trees.
• Provide spiritual direction and counsel to Middle and High School students.
• Pursue opportunities to promote intergenerational relationships and integrate youth into the larger church body.
• Develop relationships with the families within the youth ministry purview to include providing spiritual direction and counsel as needed, hospital visitation of youth, participation in weekend worship services as requested, etc.
• Participate in the “Pastor of the Day” (POD) rotation and the “Emergency Pastor on Call” (EPOC) rotation as assigned.
• Participate in other church events and services as requested.

Work Schedule & Meetings:

• Schedule: Must be available to work Wednesday evenings and regularly on Saturdays/Sundays, holiday services, etc.
• Office Hours: Keep regular office hours (as much as possible).
• Meetings: Attend all required staff meetings/retreats (“Devos & Prayer”, Monthly All Staff, Annual Retreat)

QUALIFICATIONS

Character:

• A Christ honoring life marked by personal holiness, prayer, bible study, spiritual and emotional maturity and increasing dependence on the Holy Spirit (Titus 1:6-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7).
• Unquestionable integrity specifically in areas of handling finances, relationships and time management.
• A person who understands and models the Christian principle of servant-leadership. Someone who is eager, flexible and has a teachable spirit.
• Pastoral gifting; naturally shepherds with strong gifts in leadership and teaching.
• Proven experience in team building and training people for ministry with a Missional attitude and focus.
• Effectively communicates with and relates to people of all ages.
• Broad knowledge of teenager’s development and needs.
• Takes personal initiative in learning.
• Bible College degree preferred but equivalent ministry experience is acceptable.
• Solid computer skills with MS Office programs (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).
• Willing to learn and effectively utilize the church database system.
• Supportive of the structure and leadership of Colorado Community Church (i.e.: Christ centered, Board governed, Staff led, Congregation Mobilized).
• Strives for excellence in all work duties and is passionate about seeing others succeed.

If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and church culture could be a good fit for you, please contact Brian Aaby via any of the options below.