Youth Pastor

Overview:

The Portland Church of the Nazarene Youth Pastor is an employee of Portland Church of the Nazarene charged with the direct responsibility of overseeing the programmatic and fiscal operation of the Youth Ministry. The Youth Pastor will work alongside the Pastor and youth volunteers to carry out the mission of Portland Church of the Nazarene. As an employee of the church, the Youth Pastor is supervised by the Pastor and is ultimately responsible to the congregation. Specific responsibilities include the following:

Ministry:

Youth Ministry is a valued ministry of the Portland Church of the Nazarene.  As such, the Youth Pastor is essential both to the operation of the Youth Ministry and the overall ministry of Portland Church of the Nazarene. Therefore, the Youth Pastor is a member of the church staff and is expected to be a member of the church, actively serving the whole mission of the church.

In terms of the position this means the following:

• Assures that the Youth Ministry is working within the larger mission of the church
• Assures that the Youth Ministry is working to make disciples for Christ Jesus
• Assures that faith development, Christian values, and Bible lessons are a regular part of the student curriculum, that each student will know God’s word, God’s will, and God’s purpose lived out in their lives before and after graduation.
• Assures that the Youth Ministry promotes strong relationships between parents and students and is Christ-centered.
• Regular attendance at worship and has an active daily devotional and prayer life
• A lifestyle consistent with what it means to be follower of Christ Jesus
• Plans regular events that expand beyond the circle of the student ministry to include youth in the community
• Being the “face” of the church with community students
• Finds ways to incorporate the church and its members into the ministry of the Youth  program

Administration:

• Develop short and long-term goals and plans for the ministry
• Development and implementation of an annual calendar of activities and programs that are inclusive and promote relationship development and discipleship at levels appropriate to the groups
• Development and management of annual budget
• Work with Youth council to administer, change, develop, and enhance overall ministry
• Meet with Pastor on bi-weekly basis
• Attend monthly Church Board meetings
• Attend Michigan District youth activities
• Visit the Portland Middle and High School to develop a strong connection to teens.

Educational:

• Prepare and evaluate curriculum that gives youth the basic skills they will need to develop a strong spiritual life and establish an understanding of Christian faith and values
• Teach Sunday morning Growth Group for students
• Teach weekly youth group meetings
• Create an environment that recognizes and communicates to each student that he/she is a uniquely created, loved child of God
• Addressing specific personal and spiritual needs of students as they arise through one-on-one or small group meetings, hospital visits, or other connections appropriate to the circumstances

Volunteers:

• Oversee the staffing of the program working with parents and church members
• Develop relationships and be involved with students’ parents, incorporating parents into weekly programs as volunteers and mentors
• Prepare job descriptions and update as necessary

Education and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministry or other ministry-related field is preferred
• Prefer at least one year of experience in Youth Ministry