STUDENT MINISTRIES PASTOR

STUDENT MINISTRIES DIRECTOR/PASTOR

 

Summit Church has been serving Lincoln and the surrounding communities since 1994. Though we have been a church for over 30 years—like any living body—we have changed, grown and been reshaped over that time.

 

We believe that everything God calls us to do as a church can be expressed and experienced in these three purposes: Love Like Jesus Loved. Help Like Jesus Helped. Live Like Jesus Lived.

 

We also believe that Middle and High School Students might be the ones that encounter the most practical and frequent opportunities to do those three things!

 

We're looking for a Student Ministries Director/Pastor who wants to help students seek, discover, and grow in their adventure of following Christ.

 

So this isn't a behind-a-desk kind of job. We need someone who loves being with students and people — showing up at games, hanging out after practice, cheering on volunteers, leading from the front, and turning good ideas into moments students actually remember.

 

You'll lead with a team of committed volunteers, helping students become Christ-following-disciples who love God and love people authentically.

 

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

 

Be a Consistent Presence in Students' Lives

 

You'll build real, trust-based relationships with middle and high school students — not just at youth service or occasional events, but by being an on-going presence in their lives:

 

• Connecting with students at Sunday morning adult services and Sunday night youth services
• Creating frequent activities and events for relationship building opportunities
• Encouraging, leading and walking alongside students as they navigate everyday life and grow their faith
• Showing-up at the games, the performances, the moments that matter to them
• Following-up from those conversations where they opened up and shared their struggles
• Celebrating their birthdays, milestones, and wins — big and small
• Developing relationships with parents and becoming a trusted partner to families
• Praying regularly for students and the people who love them

 

We want every student at Summit to know there are adults in their corner who don’t just know their names, but know their stories, strengths and struggles.

 

Help Make Youth Ministry Fun, Engaging, Meaningful, Memorable & Worth Bringing Friends To

 

You'll lead your volunteer team in planning weekly services, small groups, and events that help students connect with Jesus and with each other.

 

You'll get to lead from the stage, teach, facilitate, shepherd, and help create a culture and a space that feels welcoming, energetic, and relevant — the kind of place a student wants to be and is excited to bring their friends to.

 

Build & Lead a Healthy Volunteer Team

 

Great youth ministry doesn't happen solo — it happens because of emotionally, relationally and spiritually healthy adult volunteers.

 

A great leader will:

 

• Recruit other adults who love Jesus and love students
• Celebrate every person who wants to serve
• Love volunteers enough to help them find their fit
• Set volunteers up for success by the training and equipping them
• Build consistent schedules and great communication
• Encourage and care for volunteers personally and spiritually
• Inspire every leader to understand and serve the “bigger picture,” and remind them why their role matters to our students

 

We're not just finding warm bodies to fill volunteer slots. We're building a team of people who are genuinely excited to serve students — the same spirit you'll find in every Summit Ministry and Group across our church.

 

Go Where the Students Go

 

Some of the best ministry happens outside our building. You'll plan and lead trips, camps, retreats, and other student experiences.

 

That might mean some long days and occasionally wild schedules. It also means a front-row seat to some of the most meaningful moments in a student's life.

 

Help Keep Things Running Well

 

There's a lot happening behind the scenes, too. You'll be the voice of the youth ministry that communicates regularly to students, parents, and volunteers.

 

You’ll be the driving force behind scheduling, budgeting, ensuring safety and preserving the policies and protocols that protect our students, leaders and church.

 

Organization is key when leading the controlled chaos of a thriving and growing student ministries making collaboration and coordination with the Lead and Executive pastors essential.

 

YOU MIGHT BE A GREAT FIT IF YOU...

 

• ...Are an emotionally healthy, mature, and growing follower of Christ.
• ...Love everything about middle schoolers and high schoolers— the energy, the humor, the questions, the awkwardness, the curiosity, the mistakes and the unpredictability of being a teen
• ...Demonstrate an organic connection with students, parents, and volunteers
• ...Bring excitement, energy and fun into a room
• ...Love helping students build meaningful friendships and grow spiritually
• ...Comfortable leading from the front without the need to be the “star of the show”
• ...Get others excited about serving on a team
• ...Love collaboration. Welcome input. Take initiative and make thing happen.
• ...Are skilled in turning ideas into action without details falling through the cracks
• ...Communicate clearly and confidently
• ...Work well on a team and love empowering other people
• ...Handle changes and challenges with maturity, humility, and a great attitude
• ...Know that ministry should be both excellent and fun

 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

 

• A thriving, growing relationship with Jesus and a life that reflects it
• Alignment with Summit Church's mission and values
• A college degree, preferably in ministry, education, or a related field
• 2+ years working with youth programs, activities, events, or ministry
• Experience recruiting, leading, and caring for volunteers
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to spot opportunities, solve problems, and get things done
• A desire to work hard while keeping a healthy rhythm of life and ministry

 

THE SCHEDULE

 

The position, schedule and compensation will be suited to the candidate. Experience, education, qualifications and responsibilities would all be factored into whether the role would be part or full time.

 

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

 

Middle and high school students are arguably in the most formative years of their lives. They are fighting to discover who they are, what they believe, who their people are, and who they want to become.

 

We believe our student ministries have an incredible opportunity to lead alongside students as they navigate through those years. We’re here to help them seek, discover, and grow in the adventure of following Jesus in their everyday lives. And just as importantly, we’re here to give them a safe, inviting, and encouraging place where they

belong while on their journey.

 

So, if you love the idea of truly knowing and growing students; helping them love, help and live like Jesus; partnering with amazing volunteers; and creatively leading a culture that welcomes and loves all students while they’re right in the middle of their messy lives—you might be the right fit for Summit.