St James - Job Description for Youth Minister

We are looking for a committed Christian who is passionate about reaching young people and seeing them grow in personal discipleship becoming fully participative members within the life of the Church family and community. We are seeking an individual who will embrace our evangelical ethos as outlined on our website. There is an expectation that the successful applicant will become a fully committed worshipping member of the St James congregation.

Starting Date: to be determined

Hours: Full-time

Time will be given for Continuing Professional Development: by agreement with the Vicar

Salary: up to £25,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Accommodation is available at 19 St Ives Road, Hemingford Grey.

Place of Work: St James Parish

Employer: The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St James

Purpose

You will be responsible for the leadership and direction of the youth and children's ministry at St James, developing and delivering the strategy for evangelism and biblical discipleship of young people. You will initially need to evaluate the current children and youth ministry activities against the strategy developed, make changes and redefine those activities where necessary.

•You will lead the youth ministry program for 11-18 year olds, offering activities within the parish and at other locations across the city, assisted by a team of volunteers.

•You will oversee a team of volunteers who will lead the work with children, and you may be called upon to participate as needed.

•You will manage teams of volunteers, including their recruitment, training and motivation.

You will be a vital member of our ministry staff team. There is therefore a genuine occupational requirement that the successful candidate is a practising evangelical Christian, ideally a communicant member of the Church of England.

The successful candidate must have/pass an enhanced criminal record check with barring information and provided contact details for two references, one of which is their local priest/vicar. The formal offer of employment will not be made without a clear criminal record check and satisfactory references are received.

Key Relationships

The Vicar will line manage the Youth Minister.

The Youth Minister will be accountable to the Vicar, the Churchwardens and the PCC for thedevelopment of their work area, and contribute to overall progress against the St James Strategyfor Children and Youth.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Youth & Children's Ministry

Key responsibilities:

  • build relationships with youth, to introduce them to Christ
  • recruit, coordinate, train and motivate volunteers working with children and youth groups
  • lead youth groups and activities, for ages ranging across 11 to 18
  • ensure talented volunteers run children's groups and activities for ages from toddlers upwards
  • be responsible for specific pastoral, evangelistic and social activities for youth, in church andnon-church settings, including trips away to appropriate events/camps
  • disciple Christian young people within the church, that they may grow in the Christian faith
  • plan, with key volunteers, programmes for church activities (Sunday groups, etc)
  • develop young people in serving in the church and, where appropriate, in the local community
  • enable young people to explore and develop their calling as potential leaders in the church
  • assist in leading services as required, engaging youth and children where appropriate

Outreach to Local Schools & Colleges

Key responsibilities:

  • establish relationships and activities with local schools, both secondary and primary
  • build working links with local secular authorities (council, police, etc)
  • establish relationships with local networks of youth leaders and youth workers
  • develop and lead detached youth work, offering opportunities for non-Christian youth living in the Parish
  • ensure there is good communication and publicity associated with youth events
  • contribute to inter-church youth and children's ministry in the locality
  • offer support to youth work at other churches
  • engage with the Christian Union at St Ivo School, St Ives

Strategy & Development at St James

Key responsibilities:

•work collaboratively as a full member of the St James as ministry staff team

•develop and implement St James Strategy for Children and Youth

•ensure building development plans include appropriate facilities for children and young people

•raise the general profile of Youth work in the church in order to excite and inspire the general congregation of the church

•update the website and use social media to share information about youth and children's events, work and ministry

•initiate and assist in fund raising for children and youth activities

Responsibilities

•ensure the highest standards of safety and protection of children, young people and other vulnerable people within the community, working with the Church's nominees for Safeguarding and attending regular training

•ensure that all health and safety instructions are followed and that care is taken to ensure safety for self and colleagues, reporting concerns immediately

This job description is not exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties deemed appropriate by their line manager.