Youth Director — Paris First United Methodist Church

Paris First is a vibrant congregation, highly engaged in mission, with a wide variety of ages that make up this church family.  We offer two Sunday morning worship opportunities at 8:30 in our Christian Life Center and at 11:00 in our beautiful and historic sanctuary.  Recently, Connections Prayer Ministries,  a Fresh Expressions of Paris First, has begun hosting an alternative worship opportunity on the fourth Friday night of each month.  In addition to our weekly (Monday & Friday) food pantry, the congregation is proud to be a partner agency with Second Harvest, which allow us twice monthly to serve those in our community who deal with food insecurity.  Several of our youth and children enjoy participating in these food distributions when their school schedules allow.  Also Paris First is host to Project Bridge,  a summer reading/character development program offered to rising 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders, who are recommended by their teachers.  During the month of June, this program also provides service opportunities for our  youth.  Located only 40 minutes away from Lakeshore, our Conference Camp and Retreat Center, the young people of Paris First are always eager to have spiritual growth experiences in that inviting setting.  Our children and youth attend both city and county elementary and middle schools, coming together as 9th graders at Grove (our former Paris H.S) before being a part of Henry County High School in 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

Located only 20 miles from Kentucky Lake, the city of Paris has a population of just over 10,000.  A small town with a big heart, we promote southern hospitality by being the home to the World’s Biggest Fish Fry, which is celebrated with festivities the last week of April each year.  Paris has a lively downtown area, several restaurants and an outstanding Park and Recreation Center, which offers outdoor activities for all ages; a summer concert series at Eiffle Tower Park and opportunities to participate in the Arts, especially music and drama.

Paris First United Methodist Church is a place to give your heart a home, as we promote a theology of Grace and encourage our church family to live their faith from a spirit of openness to all the ways God is revealed in our neighbors.

First United Methodist Church, Paris, Tennessee

Job Description

Title: Director of Youth Ministries (7th – 12th grade)

Reports to: Church Minister (Senior Pastor)

Overall Responsibility:  To actively minister, program, and recruit youth (7th – 12th graders) into a relationship with God.  They will also assist in fulfilling the overall mission of the church.  

Key Areas of Responsibility:

1. Actively participate in Sunday School programs for youth, and find teachers, whether long-term or substitutes, when needed.  
2. Monitor Wednesday night youth programming.  Facilitate or delegate planning, preparation, teaching, and activities.  
3. Direct, plan, and execute Sunday night UMY activities, and find and communicate with church volunteers to provide meals.  
4. Plan and execute retreats, mission trips, and other various travel experiences for UMY.  
5. Facilitate and direct Youth Sunday Services planning and participation.  
6. Plan Senior Sunday activities. 
7. Plan activities for youth to participate in during the summer.  
8. Plan and direct summer Bible studies.  
9. Plan, facilitate fundraising for, and execute summer youth trips (i.e.: Mystery Trip, Mission Trip, etc.)
10. Maintain a relationship with Lakeshore for programming and resource purposes.
11. Participate in and attend meetings of various Church committees as required by the church.  
12. Establish and upkeep good communication with youth and their guardians about youth events, schedules, etc.  
13. Must be Safe Sanctuary trained.  

Qualifications / Educational Requirements:

Minimum requirement: High school education with some secondary education.  

Preferred requirement:Undergraduate degree with a preference given to degrees 

in Biblical studies, Education, or Counseling

*Masters of Christian Education highly recommended.  

Physical Requirements:    Applicants must be in good physical health.  Candidates must have a valid drivers license.  Applicants are also required to pass a background check.  Applicants should have good communication skills, both in-person, and through email and over phone.