Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY

The Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator is responsible for developing and overseeing programs that nurture the spiritual growth of children (infants through 5th grade) and youth (6th through 12th grade). This role includes recruiting and training volunteers, planning and leading weekly gatherings, organizing special events, and ensuring alignment with the mission of the church. The coordinator will foster an inclusive and engaging environment that supports children, youth, and their families in their faith journeys. Flexibility, leadership, and strong communication skills are essential to success in this position. Estimated work week is 10-15 hours, with availability required for some weeknight and weekend events.

Role and Responsibilities

Youth Ministry Responsibilities

Weekly Tasks:

• Lead weekly youth gatherings that include planning Bible study, discussion, and fellowship.
• Communicate and advertise youth programs via bulletins, newsletters, social media, website updates, and family ministry newsletters.
• Encourage youth participation in worship by overseeing sermon-themed materials, preparing engagement opportunities, and finding volunteers for roles such as communion assistants and greeters.

Bi-Weekly Tasks:

• Recruit, train, and manage youth volunteers.

Monthly Tasks:

• Build relationships with youth and their families to foster a welcoming and supportive community.
• Collaborate with church leadership to align youth programming with the church’s mission and vision.
• Organize and maintain files of background checks on all youth ministry volunteers.

Quarterly Tasks:

• Organize youth retreats, mission trips, and service projects.

Yearly Tasks:

• Attend continuing education events, especially those sponsored by the United Methodist Church as approved by the Lead Pastor.
• Suggests updates and enforces the Child Protection Policy as it pertains to youth ministry.
• Perform any additional tasks relating to children’s and youth ministry as requested by the Executive Director and/or Lead Pastor(s).

Children’s Ministry Responsibilities

Weekly Tasks:

• Ensure all teachers and staff have lesson plans by Thursday of the Sunday they are responsible for leading.
• Print Children's Church lessons, make copies of handouts, and gather supplies for lessons.
• Communicate and advertise children’s programs via newsletters, social media, website updates, and family ministry newsletters.
• Nurture participation in worship of both families and the children by overseeing sermon-themed coloring pages, preparing worship bags, and finding volunteers for roles such as communion assistants and greeters.
• Supervise Nursery Paid Staff, ensuring appropriate shift coverage for church events and worship services, and reviewing timesheets.

Bi-Weekly Tasks:

• Recruit, train, and manage teachers and assistants.
• Arrange and manage substitutes as needed.
• Maintain the Gatherlings Facebook group for parents.

Monthly Tasks:

• Meet with the Pastor one-on-one as needed.
• Organize and maintain files of background checks on all children’s ministry volunteers and paid staff.

Quarterly Tasks:

• Create and equip the Children’s Ministry Team to plan, budget, and present special events for children and families for both spiritual/social and service-oriented fellowship.

Yearly Tasks:

• Organize Vacation Bible School each summer, including volunteer recruitment, curriculum review, participant registration, and implementation.
• Suggest updates and enforce the Child Protection Policy.
• Lead an annual Sunday School Teacher Training.

Qualifications/Skills

• A working knowledge of theology and a philosophy of education aligned with the United Methodist Church.
• Ability to work closely with ministry teams, volunteers, and staff to provide meaningful and effective ministry with children and youth.
• Strong relational skills in working with children, youth, and their parents.
• Must embrace Christian discipline and United Methodist doctrine and theology.
• Must have vision and a demonstrated ability to plan, develop, coordinate, manage, and implement a children’s and youth ministry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict management skills, and computer skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and teams of volunteers.

Physical Requirement: Must be able to climb one flight of stairs several times during each shift.

Job Type: Part-time non-exempt

Job Location: Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Experience:

• Children or Youth Ministry: 1 year