Employment Opportunties
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Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church
ATTN: Jessica Covi
3702 S 370 Plaza
Bellevue NE 68123
Director of High School Ministries
Job Description
Position Purpose: To direct and lead the youth ministry for grades 9 through 12. The individual in this position shall seek to foster Christian relationships, commitment to the church and growth in faith in Jesus Christ.
Measurable Criteria:
- Agreement with Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church’s vision, goals and statement of faith
- At least a Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university
- At least three years youth ministry experience in a growing youth ministry
Observable Qualifications:
- A strong walk with God through a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ
- A teachable heart with a desire to grow in their faith and abilities
- A self starter—highly motivated
- A passion for youth ministry
- An understanding of youth culture today
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- A good role model
Job Description:
- Develop and lead programs according to the vision and purpose of the youth ministry
- Create discipleship opportunities for all students through weekly programming (Sunday School, small groups, mid-size community) and special events (retreats, camps, mission trip, etc.)
- Create and implement outreach programs, activities and events.
- Plan programs, activities or events, developing students who want to reach out and serve others, impacting them with the love of Christ.
- Recruit and train volunteer leaders to help you with your purpose
- Every student should know an adult who is praying, caring and investing in their lives
- Meet regularly with your volunteers and staff
- Build into your team with consistent training and equipping
- Provide annual training events or conferences for your team
- Build and maintain relationships with kids both churched and unchurched
- Meet regularly with kids from the youth group
- Seek out opportunities to “hang out” with kids on campus, at sports events, or in the community
- Build and maintain quality relationships with parents
- Clearly share your vision with parents so they understand the purpose of the youth ministry
- Create avenues of consistent contact with parents (regular e-newsletters, annual parent meetings, etc.)
- Become aware of the needs of the parents
- Develop and lead the Youth Council to coordinate and plan events for Youth Ministry
- Network with other youth workers in the community
- Initiate contact with other youth workers to pray for the community
- Meet regularly with other youth workers, encouraging each other, sharing ideas and experiences
- Program or attend area events with other youth ministries annually
- Set and oversee the youth ministry budget
- Involve students in the ministry of the church as a whole, supporting and participating in the church’s vision, worship services, and activities
- Attend weekly church staff meeting
- Provide a weekly report to the senior pastor of your goals, accomplishments, prayers and praises
Accountability
The Director of Youth Ministry will be accountable to the assigned pastoral staff person. A performance review and goal setting will be held on an annual basis.
Expectations
The ideal candidate for this position would:
Have a great love and respect for the word of God.
- God’s word is central to everything that we do. It is the first and last word in who we are and who we should be.
Be a person of worship and prayer.
- Without worship and prayer there is no relationship, without a relationship, there is no power.
Have a sincere interest in seeing young people become more like Christ.
- Use all possible means to encourage daily and weekly practice of spiritual disciplines (Bible Study, Prayer, Silence, Worship, Fellowship etc.)
Be a natural networker.
- Enjoy phone calls to youth, volunteers, hanging out in the lobby on Sunday mornings getting to know the congregation, etc.
Play well with others.
- We will have a youth team on staff, a team of high school volunteer leaders (youth and adults) and a youth council, so you would be working with lots of other people and a flexible team mentality would be a must.
Know how to get the message out.
- One of the greatest issues that a medium-large youth ministry has is getting everyone on the same page. We are looking for someone who can help us make sure everyone know what we are doing, why we are doing it and how they can help.
Not be afraid to challenge people.
- Volunteers need to be challenged with high expectations and clear job descriptions.
- The church leadership needs to be challenged to create the best possible environment for the youth ministry to be successful.
Believe that the purpose of our ministry is to follow (and get youth to follow) the Great Commission and the Great Commandment
- We need to “go wide” with the gospel of Jesus Christ and “go deep” by helping young people develop their faith
- Obedience to God begins with love for him. Service to our neighbor begins with love for them.
Have a strong heart for missions.
- Our church is heavily involved in local and world mission; we want our youth to grow up with a high priority on serving others.