Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry (DCYM) — Trinity Presbyterian Church

Trinity is an affirming community that welcomes people of different backgrounds, races, sexual and gender identities, and more. We have fun with each other on our Christian journey. We currently have a small number of children and youth but are committed to their Christian nurture and growth.

Overall job description:

The primary focus of this position is on children and youth, fostering their faith formation and their integration into the life of the church. This person will work under the supervision of the pastor, with guidance from the Christian Education Committee and oversight from the Personnel Committee. It is expected that the person filling this position will recruit and equip Trinity members and friends to participate in leading children and youth activities, and work with families of these children and youth to help them encourage their children in these activities.

The secondary focus of this position is on the general Christian Education programs of the church. As staff members of a small church, they may be asked periodically to contribute to other ministries of the congregation.

Hours and Benefits:

This is a salaried position, with the expectation that the person should average 25 hours a week. Those hours must include Sunday mornings, with the remaining time split over Sunday afternoons or evenings and other days of the week. This Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry will be present at Youth Group gatherings. This person should also have some flexibility in their calendar to occasionally participate in camps, retreats, lock-ins, etc.

Available benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Dental insurance
• 403(b)
• Flexible schedule
• Retirement plan
• Flexible spending account
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Job requirements and preferences:

The person filling this position should be rooted in Christ, open to trying new things, approachable, energetic, organized, self-directed, and with some theological education (formal or informal). Planning, delegation, and communication skills are key.

Preference will be given to those with one or more of the following: experience in educational settings with children and youth, Presbyterian (PC-USA) background, a higher education or graduate degree in Christian education, and/or someone with the ability to lead children/youth in singing.

Duties:

The DCYM will be responsible for coordinating children’s (birth through grade 5) and youth ministry (grade 6-12) and will also assist with adult Christian education. Primary duties include the following:

Volunteer Coordination

1. Recruit teachers and leaders for all children’s and youth programming, including Sunday School classes for children and youth, Godly Play for young children during worship, youth group meetings on Sunday evenings, youth trips, and Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children.
2. Conduct biennial criminal background checks (Intellicorp.com) and maintain accurate and current records for all those who work with children and youth.
3. Train, support, and supervise all volunteers as necessary.

Planning and Curriculum

1. Provide curriculum and resources for all children’s and youth programming and other faith activities for families.
2. Develop youth and children ministry programs that include opportunities for worship, study, fellowship, and mission.
3. Supervise the stewardship of church resources by making sure crafts and curriculum resources stay well-organized and that the building is cleaned after youth and children’s events.

Teaching and Leading

1. Teach some children’s and youth classes and programming. Most teaching will be done by volunteers that the DCYM coordinates, but the DCYM will also plan to teach and lead some programming and regularly serve as a backup if necessary.
2. Lead or coordinate others to lead special parts of the worship service related to children or youth. This includes the Word of God for Children, which happens every Sunday, and occasional events such as youth-led worship, presenting children for confirmation, giving Bibles to children and youth, and recognizing children and youth during worship at the beginning of the school year, graduation, and before or after events such as youth trips and VBS.
3. Maintain personal relationships with children and youth. Work with children, youth, and their families to increase participation in all the above children and youth programs. Be diligent in contacting new church members who have children and youth and maintaining contact with all children, youth, and their parents to foster their relationships with the church. Greet visitors on Sunday mornings and help them become familiar with the locations and topics of Sunday School classes.
4. Be informed and educated regarding current resources and trends in the fields of children’s ministry, youth ministry, and Christian education.

Administration

1. Serve on, provide resources for, and assist the Christian Education Committee.
2. Work with the Children’s Ministry Team (CMT) to plan and implement activities that focus on developing nurturing relationships between parents, children, and the larger Trinity community.
3. Actively communicate with parents, youth, staff, and committee leaders in effective ways, including social media, so that schedules can be coordinated, and information can be shared.
4. Work to provide for the needs of the nursery and supervise the paid nursery attendant.
5. Advertise presbytery, synod, and General Assembly youth events. Secure adult sponsors and register youth and adult sponsors. Coordinate Prairie Valley Legacy Committee Scholarships.

For further information and to be put in contact with the search committee:

Please contact Reverend Craig Hunter, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2200 N Bell Ave, Denton, TX 76209, phone 940-382-8815, Craig@tpcdenton.org