POSITION OVERVIEW
The Assistant Director of Student Ministries gets to make God real for students by connecting faith to the questions they’re asking in the most formative years of their lives. Our ministry spans 5th through 12th grade and is extended by our support of college students while they are away. We have a vision for growth, launching a second campus one year ago and believing that opportunities exist for us with the upcoming divide in the UMC (we’ll stay UMC – no question), and for online ministry.
We are seeking a collaborative and creative leader, excited about students and leading through volunteers. Our Director of Student Ministries has recently been promoted after serving as the Assistant Director for the last five and half years and we see this role as a place where a person can grow professionally and personally. In that spirit, this position will will share in the work of the whole ministry, with a primary focus on the programs and events we offer. Sundays are an expected workday, with another day off during the week. Scheduling flexibility is essential to accommodate student events, mission trips, retreats, and other ministry activities.
In 2-3 years, success for this person/ministry area would look like:
· Strong youth ministry programs (Sundays and Events) where students have fun, find belonging, grow in their faith, and have opportunities to serve.
· Growth in the number of students engaged. We’ve averaging 104 students per week and believe that number should be over 150 and approaching 175.
· A culture where small groups attend events together, students want to invite their friends.
· Greater parent engagement, where their growth in faith fuels that of their families.
· Strong volunteer teams that not only help lead youth ministry programs but also speak into the vision of them.
· Developing a stronger culture of service, where teens can use their gifts in worship and other areas of ministry throughout our church and community.
RESPONSIBILITIES
With our Student Ministry Teams
· Work collaboratively with our Leadership Council, staff team, volunteers, and parents to shape programming that generates teen engagement and growth in faith and participation.
· Along with the Director, serve as a member of our Student Ministry Leadership Council
· Meet weekly with our staff team that includes: Director (FT), Administrative Assistant (PT), Special Needs Coordinator (PT), Midtown Student’s Coordinator (PT), and Volunteer Staff.
· Bring creative ideas and energy to our teams with an approach to improving the ministry programs that exist and creating new ones that could address needs.
· Ask questions and challenge assumptions to explore how we can better serve students and their families. As a student ministry culture – we are not afraid to try new things!
· Share in the vision for Sunday mornings (our core programming time) and big events (mission trips, camps, etc.)
· Contribute to curriculum ideas, writing messages, and teaching.
Programming and Events
· Own the vision and oversee the execution and details for student ministry programming including monthly events and fundraisers.
· Work with our existing volunteer teams and where needed develop new ones to share vision and being events to life. (We expect that ministry is happening through other people!)
· Architecting fundraising opportunities and ensuring they are in place so that cost is not a barrier to student participation.
General Responsibilities
· Balance connection with students with tasks of administration and communication that is required to provide activities, events, small groups, discipleship, and leadership training.
· Encourage and support students, volunteers, parents, and caregivers.
· Model a Christ-filled life, maintaining appropriate boundaries with work and others, caring for self, and growing in faith and in profession.
· Attend Staff Chapel, Department Meetings, be an Active Team Member.
QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrate passion about the Christian faith, actively seek to grow in personal relationship with God, and be committed to the mission and purpose of St. Luke’s.
· Proven, effective experience with youth in a ministry context, including event planning.
· Strong relational skills with experience in recruiting and employing volunteers to use their gifts.
· Strong verbal and written communication skills and competence in relevant technology.
· Self-starter who is dedicated and takes initiative.
· A willingness to have fun!
· A collaborator and a team player who values relationships.
· Bachelor’s degree in youth ministry or related field preferred.
· Flexibility in scheduling as outlined in the Position Description.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice (looking at you COVID).
