The Director/Pastor of Children’s Ministry is directly responsible for the development and oversight of all ministries for children from birth to 5th grade at Grace.

Qualities and Characteristics of the Director/Pastor of Children’s Ministry

· A love for Jesus and for people—both inside and outside the church

· The spiritual gift of leadership

· The ability to build a healthy team culture

· Possesses strategic gifts while leading with humility and wisdom

· Solid administrative and organizational abilities that do not require extensive direction from others

· Ability to carry the vision and strategy of Grace and reflect it in the Children’s Ministries

· Relational and social skills marked by ongoing growth in being empathetic, energetic, approachable, and emotionally healthy

· Strong and healthy communication skills.

· Experience leading and working with diverse teams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Recruit, train and lead a large volunteer staff.

· Engage children in worship, discipleship, and all age-appropriate aspects of spiritual growth.

· Organize and lead effective programs that provide a context for our team to invest relationally in these young lives and draw them closer to Jesus. (Programs may include the following: Opportunities to connect following Sunday service; Occasional mid-week evening gatherings for elementary; Summer activities, including summer camp; etc..)

· Support and help equip parents to act as the primary disciple-makers of their children. This happens through appropriate channels of communication, annual trainings, and parenting/discipling workshops.

· Oversee current and future staff appointments in children’s ministry.

· Use appropriate child development knowledge to best meet the needs of Grace’s children in curriculum selection, child discipline, classroom grouping, consideration for those with special needs, etc.

· Actively present and available during Sunday morning programming for the purpose of evaluation and teacher support, and to facilitate the need to address any issues or emergencies that arise. This may include connection points with the Director on Duty, teachers, volunteers, and classroom visitations as needed.

· Has interest and experience to teach classes as needed. Although the director will not be doing this consistently, it is important they are able to stay connected at the grassroots level.

· Develop and participate in our children’s ministry vacation activities, camps or events, in order to provide concentrated opportunities to build relationships, have fun with children, and help them meet with Jesus.

· Organize fundraising opportunities to help encourage and support kids (from GraceLB and broader community) involvement in costly ministry opportunities (e.g. annual summer camp).

· Maintain regular and clear communication with parents concerning the vision of children’s ministries, as well as the ongoing programs and opportunities being offered, so as to encourage partnership and involvement.

· Actively communicate with the wider church about what God is doing in and among our children. This includes consistently gathering and sharing stories in appropriate communication channels, while also growing toward comfort in speaking during Sunday services.

· Seek to understand and oversee the Children’s Ministries budget. This includes assisting in the development and maintaining of budget, while also managing costs and fees for events and activities in a timely and responsible manner.

· Seek to integrate Children’s Ministries into multiple spheres of Grace’s church life so as to help create a church culture that is intentionally intergenerational, serving one another and complementing each other. This involves collaborating with others for the purpose building bridges between ministries

· Oversee coordination of childcare for Grace’s services and events.

· Manage safety and security protocols (in partnership with the Director of Operations), and ensure that our Children's Ministry policy and procedures are followed and reflect current best practice.

GENERAL PASTORAL EXPECTATIONS

· Participate as a full and valued part of Grace’s staff team, including being an engaged part of worship planning, staff meetings, staff prayer, social times, and other staff events as required and/or requested.

· Enthusiastically join in leading elements of Grace’s corporate Sunday worship gathering.

· Participate in the larger life of the church so as to gain the trust and credibility to speak into the lives of parents and students.

· Help to create pathways for the oldest incoming grade during the year prior to their official induction.

SUPERVISORY SKILLS

· Excellent people and leadership skills are required.

· Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

· Ability to work cooperatively in a multi-staff environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelors degree or 3-4 years equivalent experience in the field.

· To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINISTRY REQUIREMENTS

· Must be a keen follower of Jesus, have practiced the faith for at least four years, and agree with GBCLB Statement of Faith and Theological Convictions.

· Must attend Grace LB Worship services at least 3 of 4 Sundays per month.