Youth Director / Pastor

Position Description

1. Carry out the calling of primary director/pastor for all students in grades 6 – 12 at Cary Alliance Church (CAC), with extended ministry to their friends and family, helping them to build and strengthen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Emphasis should be placed on working with parents for effective discipleship of their youth and on providing extra support for youth who do not have a godly influence at home.

2. Leadership of the CAC Small Group ministry including oversight and training of leaders, curriculum coordination, formation and development of new groups as needed, and assignment and follow-up with interested congregants.

3. Develop youth strategy and programs in partnership with adult lay leaders, and in consultation with the Elders and Senior Pastor, that support CAC vision, purpose, and values at a level relevant to teens and support district and national Christian & Missionary Alliance (The Alliance) youth initiatives. Develop a small group ministry strategy and program in partnership with small group leaders, and in consultation with the Elders and Senior Pastor, that support CAC vision, purpose, and values.

4. Together with adult lay leaders, coordinate and facilitate all youth ministries including, but not limited to, youth Sunday School, midweek meetings, small groups, one-on-one discipleship, counseling, leadership training for students, and events/activities that facilitate both engagement with CAC youth and outreach.

5. Prepare and teach biblically-based and culturally engaging lessons that provide for discipleship-oriented instruction, addressing the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the youth in our community.  In coordination with the pastoral staff and other teaching ministries, help to prepare youth for the challenges they may face now or in the future as adults on campus or in the work world, training them to be prepared to make a defense of the hope that is within them.

6. Establish a welcoming and inviting environment for both visitors and CAC youth transitioning into youth group.  Actively seek to build authentic and meaningful relationships with youth. Help connect new attendees with opportunities to participate in the Small Group ministry.

7. Regularly lead the youth and small groups in outward-focused ministry, reaching into the church, our community and around the world. This includes identifying and developing areas of ministry within the church and across generations, planning and carrying out service and outreach projects in the community, and leading domestic and international mission trips.

8. Identify, recruit, and equip both youth and lay adult leaders to assist in youth and small group ministries.  Supervise and delegate responsibilities to youth and small group leaders. A special focus of adult volunteer ministry to youth is to ensure that youth of all ages and both genders are directly and appropriately discipled. 

9. Communicate ministry goals and activities clearly and regularly with parents, youth, adult leaders and church leaders. Maintain ministry social media presence for the youth, parents, church, and community. Develop a consistent method of soliciting and accepting feedback on youth and small group ministries from parents, participants, and volunteers.

10. Develop and operate within an annual budget, in consultation with the Ministry Leadership Team.

11. Participate in staff meetings and retreats. Maintain a trust-oriented team environment with the rest of church staff. Assist with other pastoral and church ministries as requested by the Senior Pastor.  Be committed to personal and skills development by way of continuing education and mentoring relationships.

Required

1. Ability to present a clear Christian testimony, with evidence of a Spirit-filled life, a consistent prayer and devotional life, and personal growth in displaying the fruit of the Spirit.

2. Three or more years of experience in youth ministry leadership.

3. Experience in developing and teaching biblically-focused lessons to youth in an engaging manner.

4. Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and shepherd lay youth and small group ministry leaders.

5. Ability to be a team player with other staff members, while being a team leader of the youth and small group ministries.

6. Has a strong calling to and passion for youth ministry and small group discipleship.

7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; technologically literate (including social media).

8. Understand and agree with the doctrinal and positional statements of The Alliance.

9. Consecrated and ordained, or willing to pursue consecration and ordination, in the The Alliance.

10. Bachelor degree or higher in Bible, Christian Education, Youth Ministry, Missions, Christian Counseling, or similar

Preferred

1. Previous experience as a youth director/pastor

2. Formal training in counseling 

3. Experience with Small Group development and leadership