DEPARTMENT: Family Ministries
SUPERVISOR: Senior Director of Family Ministries
TIME COMMITMENT: Full Time
Purpose/Mission of the Position:
- Equip children and their families to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ who participate in Christ’s mission in Glen Ellyn, surrounding communities and the world.
- Recruit and empower volunteers to be ministry partners in the discipleship of children and parents.
- Integrate children into the greater life of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn.
Specifics of the Role:
- Develop and lead the day-to-day operations of children ministries.
- Build upon the existing team of adult volunteers, equipping them to be in relational ministry with children during Kid’s Church, Spark, VBS, and other events.
- Establish a culture where children of all ages and abilities are welcomed and nurtured in their faith.
- Be the parent-facing, point person for Sunday morning Kids Church and Wednesday afternoon Spark.
- Oversee the Sunday morning nursery, insuring its integration as a vital part of children’s ministry.
- Teach (and equip others to do so) during Spark (midweek program) and Sunday morning Kid’s Church, ensuring that children are learning to worship, pray, serve, understand the Bible, and live out their faith in their daily lives.
- Collaborate with a core team of volunteers to lead and execute Vacation Bible School each summer.
- Partner with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries to run Family Camp.
- In collaboration with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries, develop, lead, and execute special events for children and families including but not limited to camp, various social and service events throughout the year, as well as various milestone ministries (like First Bibles and communion class.)
- Develop protocols for regular follow up of children and their families, connecting with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries to provide pastoral care when needed.
- Attend various community events to support and cheer on young people in their everyday lives.
- Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries to add throughlines between ministries, integrate children into the larger congregation, and minister to parents.
- Collaborate with the Associate Children’s Ministry Director to create, maintain, and execute a balanced children’s ministry calendar.
- Work with the Associate Children’s Ministry Director to ensure regular communication pathways with families.
- Attend weekly Family Ministries Team meetings as well as weekly First Pres Staff meetings.
- Supervise, equip and empower the Associate Children’s Ministry Director as well as Children Ministries Interns.
Partnership with Family Ministries Team:
The Children Ministries Director will be an effective collaborator with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries, the Associate Director of Children’s Ministries, the Director of Student Ministries, and the Director of Westminster Preschool.
Who We Are:
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn has a rich history of engaging in both local and international mission and justice ministries. There is also a long history of equipping people for a lifelong journey of discipleship through participation in Bible study, small groups and mission. We are a growing PC(USA) congregation with an emphasis on both discipleship and outreach and are looking for someone to minister to youth through the same lens. Having wrestled through issues at both the denominational and congregational level, FPCGE is a church that has remained a family centered on Jesus Christ. We are a church that desires to see individuals of all ages serve alongside one another in what God is already doing in our church, our community and beyond.
The Children Ministry’s Director will…
- Be teachable. They’ll respond to and incorporate feedback from the Sr. Director as well as other key stakeholders.
- Have a vision for children’s ministry that fits within that of First Pres’ overarching family ministry vision and strategy.
- Understand what constitutes a healthy and effective children’s ministry.
- Teach children in ways that engage them holistically in their faith formation.
- Reach out to and engage families, both those who regularly attend formal children’s ministry programming as well as those who do not.
- Plan and execute events from start to finish that effectively welcome diverse children, connect them to the community, and deepen their faith.
- Recruit, train, and effectively utilize volunteers of all ages.
- Connect children with the wider First Pres community.
- Equip children and give them opportunities to lead in age-appropriate ways.
- Be professional. Recognize that while they must be able to connect with young people, in order to disciple children, they must also engage parents and other significant adults. They must also respond to their supervisors, co-workers, and volunteers in a clear and timely fashion.
Qualifications:
Passion for children’s ministry, college degree, 2-3 years of youth ministry experience (preferably in the same church or ministry), familiarity with the PC(USA) is a plus.
Compensation:
A competitive compensation package will be offered based on experience.
How to apply:
Submit resumes and cover letters to Jen Bradbury, Sr. Director of Family Ministries, at jbradbury@firstpresge.org