FCC Children’s Pastor

Job Description and Guidelines

Preschool through 6th grade

Personal Characteristics

1.     Commitment to Jesus Christ (deep personal faith & devotional life)

2.     Solid commitment to the authority of scripture and sound doctrine

3.     Love for the church as the body of Christ

4.     A warm and encouraging personality the connects well with both children and adults

5.     Clear vision for the ministry that compliments the overall vision of the church. Need to have the ability to communicate and execute the vision.

6.     Strong administrative skills as well as the ability to recruit and train volunteers.

7.     Team player – able to both lead and to follow

8.     Sets example and serves as a role model in personal life.

Qualifications

The Children's Pastor shall be a devoted follower of Jesus with a love for children and a passion for their spiritual growth leading to salvation. We prefer the candidate to have a Bachelor's Degree from a Bible College, but it is not essential. He/She should preferably have experience in Christian education and parenting. He/She should have good human resource, supervision, leadership, communication, and public relations skills and competency in basic computer technology skills. The Children's Pastor should have a thorough knowledge of children's issues related to safety, parental concerns, and developmentally appropriate practice. He/she should be creative, energetic, organized, kind-hearted, patient, and caring.  We prefer the Children’s Pastor is bi-lingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. Upon employment by the church, he/she must be, or become, a member of First Christian Church.

Primary Responsibilities

1. As a “vision caster,” the Children’s Pastor is primarily responsible for defining the direction of FCC’s children’s ministry.  This involves continually articulating the purpose, meaning, and direction of the ministry.

          A. Promote and maintain overall vision for the ministry with consistent with congregational goals and vision.

          B. Develop and maintain a children’s learning environment that builds a strong foundation of Bible knowledge and Bible stories in an environment of fun, excitement and energy.

          C. Foster the formation of a community that is committed to communicating to our children that they are known, valued and loved, providing them with instruction from God’s word, nurturing them in love, modeling our faith and encouraging their participation in the life of the church.  

          D. Ensure meaningful recognition and integration of children into the life of the church.  

2. Coordinate Early Childhood, Pre-school, and Elementary Ministries – 

          A. Recruit and train supervisors for these areas

          B. Assist supervisors in recruiting and training of volunteers in these areas

          C. Ensure that supervisors are equipped with up-to-date curriculum, supplies, materials, etc. for teachers and other volunteers.

          D. Train volunteers on ongoing basis.

3. Coordinate children’s worship programs (i.e. Sunday School and Children’s Worship.) 

          A. Recruit and train supervisors for children’s worship programs 

          B. Assist supervisors in recruiting and training of volunteers 

          C. Ensure that supervisors are equipped with up-to-date curriculum, supplies, materials, etc. for teachers and other volunteers.

          D. Train volunteers on ongoing basis.

4. Coordinate Outreach to our community

          A. There are annual outreach events that are oriented toward young children and their families. (i.e. Trunk or Treat, Easter Events, etc.) The Children’s Pastor will be expected to be responsible for or have significant involvement in coordinating and overseeing these events.

          B. Outreach ministry to unchurched children and their families through all children's ministries. The outreach ministry may include family visitation, hospital visitation, engagement with area preschool/daycare and elementary schools, activities focused on the community, and outreach to expectant parents, among others.

5. Coordinate Children’s ministry with overall vision for FCC

          A. As a member of the ministry staff, the Children’s Pastor will be expected to support the vision of the church and integrate the vision   through the entire children’s area. It is especially important for the children’s minister to coordinate with the outreach minister in our community outreach events. 

          B. Numerous church activities require childcare or support from the children’s ministry (e.g., small groups).  The Children’s Pastor will be expected to help supply support for these events.

          C. To become an active team member of the FCC staff and serve where needed.  

6. To serve as a resource to parents and grandparents for the spiritual development of their children and grandchildren. 

7. Coordinate special events for children ages preschool-6th grade, such as summer activities (including summer camps, VBS, etc.), children's church, special emphasis events in Sunday School, weekend trips and activities, holiday events, community outreach events, etc.

8. Oversee the church nursery coordinator, who arranges care for children during church activities.

9. Keep the church and community informed regarding the church's children's and preschool age programs, using appropriate communications including the Internet.

10. Develop & maintain safety & security (Physically, emotionally & spiritually) systems for children – especially on FCC premises & FCC sponsored activities.

          A. Background checks for all workers

          B. Recommend facility improvements to ensure security

          C. Create & enforce necessary rules for safety and security

11. Coordinate preparation of the budget for the preschool - 6th grade children's programs, according to church policies.

12. Participate in all church staff meetings as a member of the church staff.

13. Participate in continuing education, in order to stay current of new developments in Christian education for children.

14. Coordinate with the church office, ministerial staff, and lay leaders the use of program materials, equipment, supplies, and space by all preschool and children's groups in the church.

15. Assist in budget development with direction from Lead Pastor

16. Create & maintain web calendar of events