Children’s, Youth and Families’ Worker – Duke Street Church
Organisation
JOB PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the role is to oversee the children and youth ministries at Duke Street Church with a desire to see children and young people come to faith and be discipled. The role will also support families in the life of the church, recognising that the primary responsibility for spiritual formation rests with parents.
The job description which follows prepares for the long-term development of Duke Street Church’s Children’s and Youth Ministry. We would not expect the successful applicant to be doing everything immediately.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Children’s Ministry
- Support the volunteers who lead Duke Street’s Children’s Ministry including:
- Supporting the leaders of the Friday Stepping Stones group
- Supporting the coordinators of the Sunday Rock Solid groups and also the leaders of other occasional events, such as outreach and Saturday events.
2. Youth Ministry
- Lead Duke Street’s Youth Ministry including:
- Leading the Friday DSY/Rooted team
- Leading the Sunday morning Youth and Prepare for Church teams
- Organising the Rooted Sunday rota and attending Rooted Sunday
Review these works from time to time.
3. Youth and Children’s Ministry Development
Provide coherent oversight of both the youth and children’s ministries, including:
- Chairing regular meetings bringing together the leaders of the youth and children’s works
- Working with group leaders to ensure that the same vision is followed by all groups
- Working with group leaders to ensure that young people transition well from one group to the next
- Advise on and sign off on teaching materials for the groups
Visit all the groups on a regular basis.
Train, equip and disciple team leaders and volunteers, including:
- Assisting groups in finding volunteers
- Supporting group leaders
- Organising training with follow-up opportunities to serve
- Offering pastoral support where appropriate
Develop online resources for the benefit of young people.
4. Church Integration
Help integrate young people into church life, including:
- Encouraging young members to serve in the life of the church
- Working with Fellowship Group leaders to help any young members who want to join to access groups
- Encouraging the wider church to take an interest in and to pray for young people.
Facilitate discipleship, including:
- Conducting and facilitating small group discipleship for young people
- Leading baptismal classes with young people
- Running a course to help young people as they go off to university
- Supporting those not intending to go to university
- Supporting group leaders as they take young people to conferences.
5. Family Support
- Develop relationships with parents and guardians
- Be involved with family events
- Run training events with parents to help equip them in parenting
- Work with pastors to identify issues related to family life and to offer appropriate support.
6. Outreach
Develop outreach opportunities, including:
- Encouraging, organising and facilitating outreach events aimed at young people
- Being a part of the Holiday Bible Club organising team
- Organising family fun days
- Developing a strategy to seek to reach local young people for Christ.
Develop links with schools, as appropriate, including:
- Taking assemblies
- Taking RE lessons
- Supporting Christian Unions
- Partnering with the Insight workers as appropriate.
Network with other church youth groups, including:
- Strengthening links with partner churches
- Helping arrange joint youth events.
REPORTING
The role is part of the wider staff team at Duke Street Church and will report to the Elders.
The Children’s, Youth and Families’ Worker will prepare a report once each term for the Elders regarding developments in the ministry with children, youth and families.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Identify helpful courses or conferences and attend them to develop in ministry.
Develop skills and experience in areas of weakness.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Living out a personal relationship with Jesus.
Committed to godly, servant-hearted leadership.
Committed to the vision of Duke Street Church and in agreement with our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives.
Enhanced DBS check and a commitment to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Experience of and passion for working with children and young people.
A desire to foster whole hearted discipleship, engagement with not-yet-believing friends and clarity and compassion with cultural hot button issues.
A strong team player able to give and receive feedback, with a desire to learn and grow individually and as a team.
Strong organisational skills and ability to plan effectively.
Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal form, to build relationships with children, youth and parents.
Some theological education preferred.
Download the full job PDF here.