Purpose
The Children’s Ministry Director is responsible for furthering the mission of the Church of the Chimes (COTC) by leading, managing, and growing the Children’s Ministry, ages infant through fifth grade. This role connects families to COTC by providing quality care of their children along with Bible-based learning, fun activities, and engaging worship. An effective Director of Children’s Ministry will develop and implement comprehensive children’s programming throughout the year that ignites a genuine desire for a relationship with Jesus among children at our church.
A successful candidate will be able to grow and develop the Children’s Ministry by recruiting, inspiring, and equipping a team of volunteers to teach, guide, and care for the children of COTC. The successful candidate will also be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading of the children in Biblical teaching, discipleship, and worship for the children in their care. Areas of focus include group and community building, discipleship, worship, mission, family support, and outreach.
Responsibilities
-- Be an engaging spiritual leader and discipleship role model with a demonstrable personal relationship with Jesus
-- Teach core Biblical principles with practical application to children.
-- Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive, innovative children's ministry programs/activities targeting all the focus areas.
-- Provide spiritual direction that aligns with church ministry doctrine, strategy, policies and plans.
-- Serve as an advocate for children by educating and enlightening the congregation about the hopes, concerns, and needs of the children in the church and the COTC community at large.
-- Develop and implement ministry activities to support the parents/guardians of children.
-- Collaborate with the local schools and children's ministry activities outside of COTC to jointly accomplish ministry goals.
-- Research resources and make recommendations for developing and improving the children’s ministry programming.
-- Recruit, train, manage, and mentor adequate volunteer/staff support to work in all aspects of children's ministry.
-- Significant communication should be directed to the parents, not children.
-- Maintain accurate records of child participation and follow up with parents whose childrens’ attendance has dropped.
-- Develop and oversee children's ministry policies and procedures ensuring the safety of children, staff, and volunteers.
-- Manage, compile, and execute a children's ministry program budget for reporting purposes.
-- Communicate with church leadership, staff, parents, and congregation in a timely manner utilizing available resources (email, social media, call/text, bulletin, newsletter, posters, etc.).
-- Collaborate with church leaders and staff members in a cohesive and open team environment.
-- Participate in continuing education events and training opportunities pertinent to children's ministry.
-- Regular and reliable attendance is required in the performance of the job.
-- Handle sensitive/confidential information per COTC policies.
-- Perform other appropriate ministry tasks as assigned by the Lead Pastor.
Experience
Five years of experience as a children's ministry director is strongly desired. The following job-related experience is strongly desired:
-- Planning, coordinating, and leading/overseeing a comprehensive children's ministry program; including administrative tasks related to programs/events, meetings, and ministry resources.
-- Caring for, working with, and/or advising students in grades K through 5.
-- Building relationships with 1) children of diverse, multi-cultural groups; 2) parents/guardians; 3) volunteers and staff; 4) church congregants.
-- Developing and teaching curriculum for children through the fifth grade.
-- Effectively resolving conflicts involving children, parents, and other parties.
-- Interacting, advising, and communicating effectively – especially using social media.
-- Following safe and appropriate interactions with children, parents, and volunteers/staff.
-- Recruiting, training, organizing, and leading volunteer efforts.
Requirements
-- A degree or certification in education or Christian ministry, or equivalent experience.
-- Must sign COTC Covenant of Belonging.
The Church of the Chimes has been serving God in ministry since its inception in San Jose, California in 1957 when it was started by a group of people convicted by God to commence a Reformed Church of America (RCA) church in San Jose. The first services were held at a drive-in theatre and were led by a newly ordained minister. By God’s grace, the church persevered beyond 21 members at its incorporation in 1958 though worship was conducted during its first 14 months while people sat in cars. Later, services were moved to the garage of the parsonage to save money as the church was being built at its current site.
Over the past 65+ years, the church congregation has grown and its facilities have expanded into an extensive church campus with a community life center that supports worship, children and youth programs, Ethiopian services, and a host of other ministries. Today, COTC’s congregation comes from a broad range of ages, ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and spiritual heritages. Although the church is no longer in the RCA denomination and has recently joined the Alliance of Reformed Churches (ARC) in 2022, our church unity and Life Together, celebrated in our diversity, is a testimony to our love of Jesus Christ.
Church of the Chimes is looking for skilled spiritual and organizational leaders who can leverage our foundational strengths and resources while leading change-- specifically in the direction of discipleship, outreach, and church culture.
The highest priorities for the next season of ministry include ...
