Youth & Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Address:  224 W. Constitution Avenue
Gonzales, LA 70737
Phone:   225-647-4678
Reports to:  Name/Title   Mark J. Goins, Pastor  and Staff Parish Relations Committee
Market Salary Range:  $9,000 – $40,000  Salary based on experience, training, education and full or part time

Purpose of Position:

To provide overall leadership for Children’s Ministries and provide Christian growth and direction to staff and team volunteers who are committed to discipling and shepherding children from birth – fifth grade.

To provide overall leadership for Youth Ministry and provide Christian growth and direction to youth, staff, and team of volunteers who are committed to discipling and shepherding youth from sixth – twelve grade.

Hours:  Two part time 20 hour a week positions or one combined full time 40 hour a week position.

Responsibilities of Position:  Youth

• Overall responsibility for leading the Youth ministry of First United Methodist Church of Gonzales
• Commitment to leading the youth to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Provide prayer and encouragement to youth, staff and volunteers as they seek to serve the Lord in youth ministry.
• Responsible for ensuring that the Youth ministry remains a nurturing, learning, Christian environment for the youth at all times.
• Responsible for ensuring the safety and well being of the youth participating in this youth ministry program, and that youth are supervised at all times.
• Oversees Youth ministry activities to ensure that all youth are welcome.
• Provides or arranges for a faith message to the youth during activities.
• Works together with the Youth Ministry Council and pastors to ensure that all youth ministries are Christ centered.
• Adheres to First United Methodist Church policies and procedures including safe sanctuaries policy.
• Work with the Youth Ministry Council and pastors to develop, maintain and communicate youth ministry policies.
• Ensures that all volunteers for the Youth Ministry are trained and equipped to work in youth ministry and are encouraged to build relationships with youth, giving them insight into ways to meet their emotional and spiritual needs.
• Assists in preparation of the annual Youth Ministries budget.
• Communicates with youth, other staff and parents to build strong trust relationships and stimulates involvement.
• Ensures that youth are involved in appropriate Mission projects, including, but not limited to, church and local area projects.
• Coordinate with the Youth Ministry Council and pastors plans for all youth programs and special projects, including Youth Sunday and involvement in summer mission or service trips.
• Increase both the size and diversity of the groups and activities of the youth program.
• Implement a structured plan to contact and involve new youth, including new members, inactive members and potential members from the community at large.
• Supervises Sunday School and trains teachers and youth activity volunteers.
• Plan and implement Summer youth activities.
• Support youth in activities outside the church when possible.
• Emphasize participation of youth in District and Conference events and activities.
• Identify and encourage youth to attend church committee/team meetings.
• Participate in Administrative council and be youth advocate.
• Plan and implement age appropriate activities for youth that promote community through fellowship, fun and faith development. Such activities might include; musicals and dramatic presentations, small group Bible Study, retreats and service projects.

• Assist pastors in Confirmation instruction as requested.
• Prompt communication to congregation and parents about youth activities and plans through email, newsletters, and text messages.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably assigned from time to time by the Youth Ministry Council and pastors.

• Overall responsibility for leading the Children’s Ministries at First United Methodist Church
• Commitment to leading the children of First United Methodist Church to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ
• Provides prayer and encouragement to staff and volunteers as they seek to serve the lord in children’s ministry, and is committed to leading volunteers to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Responsible for ensuring that the nursery, Sunday School, Children’s Church, Mother’s Day Out, and other children’s activities remain a nurturing, learning, Christian environment for the children at all times
• Responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the children cared for in children’s ministries programs, and that children are supervised at all times.
• Oversees Sunday morning nursery and children’s ministries activities to ensure that new parents and children are welcomed and find proper room location, volunteers are available, supplies are available, replacement volunteers are recruited, etc.
• Provides or arranges for a faith message to the children during PRAISE each Sunday morning.
• Works together with PRAISE Team to ensure that Children’s Church develops into the center of the children’s weekly worship experience.
• Adheres to First United Methodist Church policies and procedures including Safe Sanctuaries Policy
• Ensure appropriate Children’s Ministries policies are developed, maintained, and communicated appropriately
• Ensures nursery coverage is scheduled for all church services and special programs including Sunday Services, Holiday Services, and other church functions as required.  Team meeting and team-sponsored events will be scheduled upon request.
• Ensures Children’s Ministries volunteers are recruited as necessary
• Assists in preparation of the annual Children’s Ministries budgets
• Supervises and trains  PRAISE, and Sunday School volunteers
• Oversees Director of Nursery Childcare and Mother’s Day out Director
• Communicates with other staff and parents to build a strong trust relationships
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate persons and ensures children are immediately moved to a safe area.
• Responsible for developing and overseeing emergency and evacuation procedures for all children’s ministry programs
• Responsible for ensuring that an effective VBS program is held each year.
• Ensures that children are involved in appropriate Missions projects.
• Prompt communication to congregation and parents about children’s activities and plans through email, newsletters, and text messages.
• Assists Children’s Ministries teams and other when necessary by helping out in any capacity required.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably assigned from time to time by the Children’s Ministry Council and pastors.