Assistant/Student Ministries Pastor

First Wesleyan Church in Muskegon, Michigan is seeking a part-time/bi-vocational assistant/next-gen pastor. This person will be included in a team approach to ministry, covering a wide range of responsibilities with a strategic focus on student ministries.

WHO WE ARE

First Wesleyan Church is in Muskegon, Michigan, a small manufacturing city located on the eastern coast of Lake Michigan. Muskegon has shown great grit as it has come through difficult years of high unemployment and the accompanying challenges. In recent years, Muskegon’s economic situation has greatly improved, but not all the city’s residents have shared in the economic upturn.

First Wesleyan Church is in the core city of Muskegon in the middle of a very diverse neighborhood. The church is committed to the community where we’re located; committed to reaching the lost for Christ and seeing lives transformed; as well as being committed to a diverse framework for living life in community. We work to do this in a way that participates in the work God is doing around us to reconcile people to Him through Christ even as we are working toward reconciliation with one another.

STUDENT MINISTRIES

FWC does not believe kids and teens are the church of tomorrow but the church of today. It’s our philosophy that young people can learn, grow, and serve in many areas of ministry. We work to find a balanced approached to focused ministry that is relevant to youth culture as well connecting young people to vibrant relationships across all generations.

FWC’s youth and children’s programs reach a diverse group of families in our community and sees between 30 and 45 in our midweek and Sunday programming. There is a core group of young people who are growing spiritually and serving in many areas of ministry throughout the church. Our young people are involved and interested in camps, conferences, missions activities, and a wide-variety of program opportunities in community.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

This position would primarily be responsible for directly leading and overseeing all youth and kids’ ministry programming and volunteers. However, there is great potential in Muskegon for a vibrant young adult ministry, particularly as youth are graduating and primarily staying in town. This is not currently an area of responsibility but potential uncharted territory for us at FWC.

There is also potential for this person to assist and participate in a wide range of ministry opportunities outside of student ministries, though this is not a requirement for the position.

This individual will participate in the life and community of the church and participate in program planning and evaluation. They will participate in normal staff activities, such as staff and board meetings, and regular office hours.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate will first and foremost be committed to Christ and show evidence of spiritual disciplines such as tithing, study, and prayer life and have a great burden for those who don’t know Christ. They will have a strong understanding of priorities and the demands on their time and resources. The person will be dedicated to community and partnering with community organizations. They will have a multicultural mindset and be committed to a culture and ministry that embraces diversity, reconciliation, and unity in the body of Christ.

QUALIFICATIONS

The assistant pastor must be a committed Christ follower. An ordained pastor or someone in the ordination process in the Wesleyan Church is a plus but willing to consider an individual who would make a commitment to pursue Ministerial Licensing and related education. Experience in an urban setting preferred but a commitment to multiethnic ministry is a must.

PREFERENCES FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

The following list are not absolute requirements for the position but are stated as desirable by the young people of our church:

Understands young, good sense of humor, wise, likes food, some sports skills, enjoys weird, understands and relates to Muskegon, kind (gives prizes,) artistic, likes video games, enthusiastic, dependable, committed, enjoys extended periods of snow, connected, accessible, and likes/can bake cookies

CHURCH WEBSITE

www.MuskFirstWes.com

INTEREST, INQUIRIES, RESUMES PLEASE SUBMIT TO:

Jeremy Lenertz

First Wesleyan Church

JWNLen@gmail.com

Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person