DEPARTMENT: Family Ministries
SUPERVISOR: Senior Director of Family Ministries
TIME COMMITMENT: Full Time
Purpose/Mission of the Position:
- Equip students 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 our students.
- Integrate students into the greater life of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn.
Specifics of the Role:
- Lead the day-to-day operations of student ministries, focusing on students in 6th-12th grade.
- Continue to add to and build upon the existing team of adult volunteers, equipping them to be in relational ministry to students.
- Establish a culture where middle school and high school ministries are welcomed and nurtured in their faith.
- Teach (and equip others to do so) during the middle school and high school youth group, ensuring that young people are learning to worship, pray, understand the Bible, and live out their faith in their daily lives.
- Organize retreats, special events, and mission trips.
- Regularly follow up—or empower other staff and volunteers—to follow up with students.
- Engage students where they’re at both physically (ie their sporting events and plays) and spiritually (provide safe places to learn more about faith in Jesus Christ)
- Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries to add throughlines between ministries, integrate middle school and high school students into the larger congregation, and minister to parents.
- Supervise, equip and empower Student Ministries Interns.
Ultimate Destinations
Students are Equipped when:
- They can articulate what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ and live lives transformed by him.
- They are Biblically literate.
- They understand what it means to have a rich personal prayer life and the importance of praying with others.
- They are participating in a small group, attending worship, and engaging in missions.
- Their worldviews are expanded beyond affluent suburban culture via participation in ministry and mission.
- They are sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with their friends.
Students are integrated into the greater life of the church when:
- They are having meaningful connections with at least three adults at church who are not related to them.
- They are participating in and leading Sunday morning worship.
- The wider church is aware of what is happening and how God is moving within Student Ministries.
Volunteers are Equipped when:
- They understand and implement the concept of “relational ministry.”
- They are equipped to lead small groups and connect with students through formal training and timely communication.
Partnership with Family Ministries Team:
The Director of Student Ministries will be an effective collaborator with the Sr. Director of Family Ministries, the Director of Children’s 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.
Who We Need You To Be:
The Director of Student Ministries needs to be someone with a deep and growing faith in Jesus Christ, who possesses a high view of Scripture, and who is intentional with personal prayer and Bible study. While gifted at relational ministry, the Director of Student Ministries is emotionally mature and has healthy boundaries with the students to whom she/he ministers. This director understands relational ministry and easily connects with youth (and their families) and has an understanding of current youth culture. He or she knows and humbly accepts his/her “growing edges.” The Director of Student Ministries attends worship and is periodically involved in worship leadership at First Pres.
Qualifications:
College degree, 2-3 years of youth ministry experience (preferably in the same church or ministry), familiarity with the PC(USA) and the Reformed tradition 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, Senior Director of Family Ministries, at jbradbury@firstpresge.org