Associate Pastor of Student Ministries

Living Grace Community Church is located in the northwest suburb of Cary in Chicago, IL. God is doing great things in our church, and we are especially excited about what is happening in our student ministries. We are praying for the right candidate to come and help build upon a solid foundation of great volunteer leadership in our middle school and high school ministries. Our middle school gathers for worship on Tuesday night and our high school gathers for worship on Sunday night. We are coming off a great summer and would love for our students to have the right leader come and teach the Word of God and build relationships with them as they grow in Christ. We are praying for you as you consider applying to be our next Associate Pastor of Student Ministries.

JOB TITLE:

Associate Pastor of Student Ministries

JOB SUMMARY:

Become a vital part of a growing body of believers who seek to be living grace to our community. At Living Grace Community Church, you will have the opportunity to create a vision for engaging, discipling, and empowering the students of Living Grace Community Church and beyond. We are a church focused on prayer, faithful Bible teaching, the gospel of Christ, Christ-centered relationships, and reaching out to our community and the world with the love of Jesus Christ. You will have the chance to help us fulfill our calling to minister to students through strong relational ministry, small groups, large groups, events, church programs, retreats, outreach, missions and partnerships with like-minded ministries.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Strong preference for a bachelor’s degree or an emphasis on Christian Education, Spiritual Formation and/or Student Ministry is strongly preferred.
2. Must have and be willing to share a clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrate a specific call to student ministry within the church, and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.
3. Must be an individual who is of established Christian character, being sound in faith and doctrine and who demonstrates a lifestyle in harmony with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) Statement of Faith and with the Constitution and Bylaws of Living Grace Community Church.
4. Must have a Ministry License from the EFCA or must actively pursue a Ministry License from the EFCA upon acceptance of the position. Details pertaining to a ministry license can be found at the EFCA website
5. Must demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate and teach the Word of God and confidently share the Gospel.
6. Must demonstrate superior interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to building relationships with students

LINE OF AUTHORITY:

The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries is an Associate Pastoral position that reports to the Senior Pastor and is accountable to the Congregation through the Elder Board.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries shall work in concert with ministry staff and the Elder Board to further the vision and ministries of Living Grace Community Church as follows:

1. Develop and maintain a purposeful and effective Student Ministry for 6th-12th graders that includes: persistent and empowering prayer, worship of God, genuine and accepting relationships and disciple making.
2. Plan and participate in special events for students, including but not limited to: retreats, small groups, large groups, Christian Education, Vacation Bible School, Summer camps, mission trips and community
3. Provide pastoral oversight/assistance to the Family Ministries Commission, including recommending curriculum for Christian Education for pre-K through 12th grade.
4. Recruit, manage, equip and empower a team of lay leaders who will work collaboratively to accomplish the objectives and vision set out for Student Ministries by the Senior Pastor and Elder Board
5. Provide counseling and pastoral care within the scope of Student Ministry
6. Leverage technology and social media platforms necessary to connect with today's youth
7. Present a written report at the annual Congregational business meeting, including a summary of accomplishments and progress from the prior year
8. Serve as a representative of the church to the community, and the broader body of Christ.

EXPECTATIONS:

The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries is expected to become and remain in long-term ministry as a member of Living Grace Community Church.

1. The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries will develop, share, and implement annual goals for themselves and share those goals with the Senior Pastor, Elder Board and other church staff
2. The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries will regularly engage with the Elder Board on ministry
3. The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries is expected to work two or more nights per week as required to attend student meetings, student events, Family Ministries commission meetings and/or other relevant church business as well as other church activities outside of the traditional church context
4. Salary and other benefits for the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries will be established by the Elder Board and will be reviewed periodically.
5. The Associate Pastor of Student Ministries will attend staff meetings

What It's Like To Live In Cary:

The Village of Cary is located 45 miles from downtown Chicago and is one of the premier suburbs in all of Chicagoland. Cary has excellent schools and is primarily made up of young and middle aged families. We have a wonderful park district with several parks for young children and a new swimming facitiliy, Sunburst Bay. Sunburst Bay is a great place for families to enjoy a summer day at the pool with diving boards, slides, and other children's activities. We also have excellent walking and biking trails throughout the community. Cary boasts what many in Chicago believe to be the best hamburger and pizza in all of Chicagoland: Track's Hamburgers and Uncle Jerry's Pizza Company.

We are located between the larger suburbs of Barrington and Crystal Lake. The surrounding areas have great restaurants, recreation activities, and gyms for personal leisure. There are four airport options near Cary: O Hare (40 minute drive), Midway (75 minute drive), Milwaukee (70 minute drive), and Rockford (60 minute drive). Cary is a remarkable place to raise a family and call home.

If you have any questions about the details listed above, please contact our church office. Come and see what God is doing at Living Grace Community Church!