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Position Description

Associate Pastor (Youth)

Purpose:  To serve the church as Associate Pastor and develop, manage and promote Christian nurture with Mid High and Senior High youth (6th – 12th grade), working with volunteers to create a healthy and thriving youth ministry. 

Accountability:  To church Session through the Personnel Committee and Pastor Head of Staff for youth ministry.

Responsibilities:

      Administrative

1. Work with the Pastor/Head of Staff to assure that the church has the resources for carring out its mission.
2.  Preach in the absence of the pastor (a minimum of six times a year).
3.  Be aware of program needs and make suggestions for carrying them out.
4. Make advance preparations for all youth events, including reservations, registrations, transportation arrangements and securing advisors.
5. Handle publicity and communications concerning Youth Connection events, including emails, phone calls, bulletin boards, Moments for Ministry, and announcements.
6. Attend staff meetings one hour per week, 11:00 – 12:00 noon, Monday mornings.
7. Meet with Education Ministry, one hour per month, first Sunday, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
8. Meet with youth advisors once a semester for prayer, support, training and planning.
9. Assist the Education Ministry recruitment team in securing youth advisors for each church year.
10. Assure that permission and medical forms are kept on file for all youth involved in activities.
11. Supervise any part-time or intern youth workers.

        Programming

1. Along with the pastor and other staff design a well rounded program of discipleship for the whole church.
2. At the beginning of each semester, meet with parents to present printed calendar, information about upcoming events, secure forms and recruit adult volunteers for activities.
3. Meet with Youth Council moderators by email or in person to plan agendas for monthly Youth Council meetings.
4. Meet with Youth Councils monthly as they plan schedules and programs for Sunday nights, summer and special events such as Youth Sunday, fundraisers, and mission projects. 
5. Help Associate Pastor for Missions plan and implement summer mission experiences for youth.
6. Meet with Youth Connection on Sunday nights, helping groups with resources, setting up
7. rooms and assisting the leadership teams for each week.
8. Lead youth in making sure meeting rooms are cleaned, materials are put away, garbage is out, and lights are off at the end of meetings or events.
9. Assist Director of Christian Education in planning and conducting training and orientation for youth advisors and Sunday School teachers for Mid High and Senior High classes.
10. Assist Sunday School teachers for Mid High and Senior High classes in getting resources and arranging their rooms and storage closets and bulletin boards.
11. Be available on Sunday mornings to assist if needed with Mid High and Senior High Sunday school classes.
12. Work with pastors in planning and leading confirmation classes, discipleship classes and other spiritual formation opportunities for Mid High and Senior High students.       

        Pastoral

1. Provide support in pastoral care for the congregation.
2. Work with Stephen Ministry to provide indivual care for church members.
3. Be available as a caring adult minister for youth, parents and advisors, able to provide and/or refer them to appropriate counsel as needed.
4. Encourage youth to use their talents in the larger arena of the church’s ministry (e.g. music ministry, lay reader, ushering, Time for Young Disciples and other ministries and education programs of the church).
5. Encourage youth to attend youth Presbytery and church wide events and take leadership roles.
6. Encourage youth to be inclusive and welcoming of others, working to bring the groups together as a community of faith.

Qualifications and Characteristics: 

1. Be a person who practices the Christian faith and who models that faith in the life of the church.
2. Be an active ordained or ordainable minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
3. Have a Master of Divinity or the equivalent.
4. Have knowledge and skills in teaching, preaching, counseling, interpersonal relations,    planning, administration, and leadership development.
5. Be willing to work with a wide range of age groups, particularly youth and their parents.
6. Be a person who is comfortable working with persons of economic, racial, educational, and cultural differences.
7. Have a willingness to grow, learn and adapt with the ministry.
8. Have the ability to self-initiate and monitor work schedule.
9. Have the ability to speak and write clearly.
10. Have the ability to locate and use resources appropriately.
11. Have the ability to delegate responsibilities, empower and work with volunteers.
12. Be committed to the Presbyterian system of church government, understand its strengths and weaknesses and be comfortable working within its system. 

Relationships: 

        All members of the staff of First Presbyterian Church are engaged with the congregation in

        its mission.  In order to serve the church effectively, it is essential that all staff members

        approach their duties and responsibilities with an attitude of support for one another,

        recognizing that work flow varies throughout the year and often requires special attention

        and support to accomplish some tasks.  All staff members are expected to work as colleagues

        with one another and with volunteers.  The nature of the church’s work and mission requires

        discretion, tact, compassion and confidentiality.

Evaluation:

        Annually each staff member meets with the Personnel Committee and the Heads of Staff for

        an evaluation of the effectiveness of his or her ministry areas of responsibility, making

        suggestions of how the church can be more effective in its mission.

Terms:

        This arrangement requires a 30-day written notice by either party for termination.