Summary

Serve fulltime on the pastoral team of First United Methodist Church of Orlando. Seek out youth and families, and others, in the church and surrounding community to share the love of God through engaging programs that meet the spiritual and developmental needs and interests of youth and families. Surround the youth with loving and caring adults who will mentor the youth. Equip and encourage youth and families to learn to seek and love God, love and serve people. Communicate with youth, families, church members, participants, and community members through various avenues of church communication, including social media. The job description may be revised to reflect the unique gifts and passions of the person in this passion and the needs of First Church.

Core Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.

Youth Leadership:

• Work with Lead Pastor, ministry staff, youth, adult volunteers, families, and others to create, plan, and oversee developmentally and theologically appropriate opportunities for youth of all ages and abilities. Evaluate ministry and make changes as needed.

• Develop and lead weekly spiritual formation opportunities for youth (i.e. Youth Group, etc.).

• Plan and oversee seasonal spiritual formation programs and milestone celebrations for youth (i.e. Mission Trips, summer camp, Confirmation, retreats, Senior Recognition, etc.).

• Recruit, empower, and train adult volunteers to serve with youth while adhering to the Children and Youth Policies and Procedures.

• Empower youth to undertake leadership roles in the youth ministry and at First Church.

• Partner with parents to ensure youth continue to seek and love God, love and serve people throughout their lives.

• Develop and lead programs to serve the spiritual needs of the entire family.

• Create processes that enable smooth transitions of ministry through various life stages (Confirmation, Graduation, etc.).

• Establish communication methods with youth students and families. Proactively communicate with youth students and families with long-range information as well as short-term reminders. Use communication tools such as Realm database, social media, texts, mail, etc. Create content that will advertise clearly and often with youth, parents, volunteers, First Church members, and the community about opportunities in both First Church’s Youth Ministry.

• Maintain current rosters of youth students and families in church Realm database. Update as needed with correct contact information.

• Ensure all First Church programs and events adhere to the Children and Youth Policies and Procedures of First Church. Maintain confidentiality of youth medical history and/or prescription needs per HIPAA as needed.

• Oversee the Youth Ministry budget with input from relevant people.

• Attend First Church Scholarship Committee meetings as a non-voting member. Assist Scholarship Committee in reaching out to students.

• Depending on the gifts, passions and abilities of the person in this position, other ministries and responsibilities may be included that enhance the overall ministry of First Church.

Collaboration:

• Demonstrate healthy and effective teamwork with pastors and staff.

• Work with Lead Pastor and worship planning team to create opportunities that incorporate and engage youth and families in worship services.

• Work closely with the Children’s ministry to collaborate on family ministry opportunities, to ensure a logical progression of spiritual formation through Children and Youth ministry, and to form relationships with children before they transition to the Youth program.

• Attend and participate in staff and other meetings.

• Create an environment conducive to positive interaction with pastors, staff members, lay leadership, church members, and the community.

• Assist with other administrative and ministry needs of the church, as needed and/or assigned.

• Provide support for other church and/or community events, as needed and/or assigned.

Communication:

• Work with the Director of Communications to communicate events.

• Enthusiastically inform pastors, staff, members of First Church about ministries happening at First Church.

• Actively collaborate with the Children’s ministry.

• Ask for help when needed.

• Promote, communicate, and embody the vision, mission, and core values of First Church.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or University, two years of related ministerial experience preferred.

• Embodies and lives the Christian faith. Deeply committed to personal spiritual growth.

• Passionately desires to share and develop the Christian faith with youth and families.

Computer Skills:

• Working knowledge of internet tools including social media, spreadsheets, and word processing software.

Other:

• Strong commitment to Christian faith and theology of The United Methodist Church. Familiarity with the United Methodist Church structure and Wesleyan theology.

• Must be adaptable, innovative, cooperative, and communicative.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from other staff, lay leadership, children, parents, and the community.

• Ability to solve practical problems and effectively cope with the challenges that may arise from working with a variety of people in a church setting.

• Must be able to multitask, organize, and delegate.

• Must be able to work independently and with a team.

• Must pass a background, fingerprint, and reference check.

• Ability to occasionally lift 25 lbs or more.