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Directly Supervises: Children’s Ministry Team, Youth Ministry Team, Youth Leadership Team, Ministry Volunteers and Participants
Job Summary: Lead the congregation in fulfilling their baptismal promises to children, youth, and families by creatively developing programming and fostering an environment that is grace-centered in which we pray for, educate, place in our children’s hands the holy scriptures, and provide instruction in the Christian faith leading towards life-long faithfulness.
Grace Lutheran Church in Andover, Minnesota is seeking an individual to provide vision and coordination of ministry to children and youth (ages 0-18) as well as their families as we seek to love God and our community through the example of Jesus. This self-starter works both independently and with our staff and volunteer teams to organize and prioritize proven intergenerational experiences to build lasting relationships and equip people in the congregation to serve children and youth in a variety of roles.
Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Our mission is to be a community united by Christ’s love to listen, grow, and serve so that all might experience grace. We strive to live out our mission through our values of accepting everyone, care compassionately, deepen connections, and share God’s love. Our mission and values lead us toward an expansive welcome, generous hospitality, vibrant worship and faith, authentic relationships, equipping one another in vocation, and acting for justice and peace. Questions are encouraged as we reflect on scripture, meaning, and faithful living, and those with wonderings and doubts are welcome.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinate faith formation programming (Sunday morning and Wednesday evening) for ages 0-18 including researching, choosing, and preparing age-appropriate Biblical-grace-centered curricula; oversee nursery attendants and volunteers in various classrooms and programs in accordance with our best practice and policies
- Initiate, build, and maintain authentic relationships with children, teens, parents, volunteers, and the congregation. Partner and help parents/ guardians inspire curiosity and spiritual interest in their children, equipping them with resources to be the primary source of faith formation
- Recruit, develop, train, and appreciate a team of youth and adult volunteers
- Work in coordination with our Associate Pastor of Faith Formation:
- to implement a multi-year programming plan and curriculum scope and sequence that aligns with Grace’s vision and values; assess and evaluate success, failures, and relevance of programming and adjust accordingly
- Establish an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment; encourage thinking, welcome questions, and foster discipleship among children and teens
- Design, schedule, organize, implement, and attend monthly events, retreats, and trips; work from a team-approach with other ministry and office staff, especially Associate Pastor of Faith Formation and Assistant Children’s Ministry Director and Nursery supervisor as appropriate, for annual fellowship, fundraising, and service-learning events
- Communicates clearly and consistently to participants, families, and congregation via email, monthly newsletter, bulletin boards, church website, social media, etc. [Text Wrapping Break]
Other Responsibilities:
- Invest in the on-going life of students and families outside of church
- Maintain and update database, calendar, and website with office staff
- Manage youth budget and finances in collaboration with church administrator
- Participate in continuing education opportunities and network with other children’s and youth ministry directors and leaders
- Be a present and engaged participant in standing church programs and worship services, and other duties as assigned
Minimum Requirements:
- Faith in Triune God.
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Embrace the Welcome Statement on our home page at graceandover.com
- Experience with and comfort with Lutheran (ELCA) theology
- Passion for engaging and nurturing children, teens, and families
- Flexibility in hours and scheduling- available on Wednesday evenings and Sundays
- Ability to successfully pass a background check
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, social media apps, and database software
- Demonstrated experience with Core Competencies (see below)
Preferred:
- Degree in ministry
- Experience in ministry or similar setting [Text Wrapping Break]
Physical Requirements:
- Able to move freely in and out of different ministry settings (classroom, camps, churches, etc.)
- Able to lift 50lbs.
- Able to comfortably speak in public forum
- Have valid driver’s license and is able to drive
Core Competencies:
LEADERSHIP: Identifies, prioritizes, and communicates clear, strategic objectives that are consistent with the vision and values of the church; provides direction, gains commitment, facilitates creativity and change in accomplishing achievable goals; good at figuring out the process(es) necessary to get things done; knows how to organize people and tasks establishing good workflow.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Possesses high emotional intelligence and sense of humor; exudes a natural sense of care for the well-being of others; works well with people at all ages of the congregation; practices direct, honest, and transparent communication; overcomes personal bias to genuinely hear the ideas and concerns of another; is open-minded, welcoming, and approachable.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION: Demonstrates an understanding of discipleship as journey or process; selects curriculum that is relevant, provocative and contributes to a deeper understanding of scripture, theology, and spiritual practice; uses a variety of learning styles and experiences to maintain interest, build connection to daily life and social justice issues, and promote deeper relationships while developing faith.
DEVELOPING VOLUNTEERS: Able to identify gifts and skills to recruit people into volunteer positions; is good at establishing clear expectations, setting direction, providing training for each role; provides regular and ongoing feedback and appreciation about performance; creates a climate in which people want to do their best; makes each individual feel that their work is important.
TEAM-ORIENTED: Clearly and comfortably delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions; appropriately shares authority and responsibility; empowers others, steps up to offer self as resource to other members of the team; keeps team briefed; understands the dynamics of human negotiation among conflicting interest groups and how to achieve mutual agreement; defines success in terms of the whole team.
ORGANIZATION: Identifies key objectives, scope, resources needed, realistic timeline for projects, events, and programs; uses time effectively and efficiently; can appropriately balance priorities; can sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; self- motivated in implementing and communicating action plans.
To Apply:
This is a full-time position. Compensation includes salary, health benefits, retirement package and funds for continuing education. Pay based on experience, starting at $45,000/year with 3 weeks paid time off. Send your resume and cover letter to Grace Lutheran Church 13655 Round Lake Blvd., NW. Andover, MN. 55304
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
Education:
- Bachelor's (Preferred)
Experience:
- children's ministry (working with children): 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person