Minister to Children and Families
Effective Date: Immediate
Reports to: Pastor
Status: Full-Time
FLSA: Exempt
I. Job Summary
The Minister to Children and Families provides relational leadership for extending the ministry and purposes of the church by planning, conducting and evaluating a comprehensive program for children (birth through fifth grade) and families which undergirds their spiritual, emotional, and social development as it relates to their becoming and growing as Christians, and provides opportunities and experiences at the family level for growth in Christian discipleship within and among the families of the church.
II. Essential Functions
1. Plan a vision and long-term goals for children and family ministries of the church. Evaluate and modify vision in conjunction with growth and changes in church family.
2. In working with Minister of Youth & Education, organize and lead activities, including Sunday School, or children which constitute quality Christian education and development opportunities and which undergird the larger ministry of the church. Review curriculum options regularly. Develop curriculum for mission’s education and VBS day camps, and as needed for newly introduced children and family ministry educational programs or events.
3. Work with Nominating Committee and Minister of Youth & Education to help recruit individuals to work with children as teachers and leaders for Sunday School, mission and church training activities; and assist in the development of their talents through training and counseling. Plan and provide regular training sessions for teachers/leaders in the various areas of Children’s Ministry.
4. Work with the Minister of Youth & Education and other church leaders to oversee the implementation and ongoing evaluation of all church policies related to safety and security, including the FBC Child Protection Policy.
5. Work with the Minister of Youth & Education to ensure that all adult participants in the Children’s Ministry, including volunteer child care workers, teachers and leaders, have received training in and have successfully completed all applicable background checks required under the FBC Child Protection Policy.
6. Develop relationships with children and families and provide personal support in times of crisis and transition.
7. Provide opportunities for parents to better understand their parental needs and responsibilities and the church’s goals in light of the Biblical concept of family.
8. Plan, promote, and conduct camps, retreats, Vacation Bible School, and recreational activities with children. Provide quality educational experiences concurrent with adult programming.
9. Cooperate with the Minister of Music to offer an effective program of music for children, assisting in identifying and recruiting volunteer leaders for children’s music programs as needed.
10. In collaboration with the Minister of Youth & Education, develop and work a transition plan for sixth grade students transitioning from children’s ministry to youth ministry.
11. Coordinate with the Pastor and Ministerial staff plans for including children in worship. Participate in planning and delivering the children’s sermons. Provided for and give leadership to Children’s Church.
12. Provide assistance in facilitating the sharing of space within the church building for various activities involving children’s activities.
13. Propose an annual budget for children and family ministry activities and operate within the approved budget.
14. Attend and participate in weekly staff meeting and cooperate fully with the Pastor and all other ministers and church employees to ensure a loyal, cohesive efficient church staff.
15. Develop and implement an outreach program focusing on children and their families.
16. Accept other duties as may be assigned by the Pastor.
III. Other Responsibilities
1. Liaison to committees, councils, ministry boards as assigned.
2. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Children’s Ministry Board and Children and Family Ministry Committee, attending all meetings.
3. Serve as a key leader for special projects as assigned.
4. Serve as a key leader for special annual events as assigned.
IV. Minimum Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis on child development – required
2. Graduate degree from accredited seminary/divinity school – preferred
3. Previous ministry experience in a Baptist church of like faith and order – preferred
V. Physical Requirements
1. Able to speak and communicate clearly.
2. Able to see and observe behaviors of minors.
VI. Core Competencies
1. Mission Ownership: Understands, supports and demonstrates the congregation’s mission, values, and beliefs, and regularly behaves in a manner consistent with them.
2. Interpersonal Skills: Establishes good working relationships with all others who are relevant to the completion of work; works well with people at all levels of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of their actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable.
3. Evangelism/Spiritual Formation: Able to communicate the essential truth of the Gospel in age appropriate ways for children and families. Assists parents in knowing how to share the Gospel with their children. Invites children and their families to a lifestyle of discipleship as a journey or process. Uses a variety of spiritual practices to deepen and develop a mature faith in Christ.
4. Teaching: Designs effective lesson plans and facilitates learning experiences in both small and large group settings; selects teaching topics that are age appropriate, relevant, and contribute to a deeper understanding of Scripture, theology and spiritual practice; uses a variety of teaching topics to maintain interest and build connection.
5. Leadership Development: Consistently works toward building an effective team to carry out the work of ministry. Encourages others to discover and engage their giftedness and sills in service to the church, especially the children’s ministry. Identifies, recruits and trains new leaders. Thinks strategically about the continual need for a next generation of leaders and works to build the leadership base.
There is a difference in just going to a church and being the church as you go. We intentionally look for opportunities to meet needs and make a positive difference in our community. Reaching out beyond our walls is both a calling from God and a priority of our fellowship. First Baptist Church of Smithfield, NC seeks to minister to and with families of young children as part of its total ministry. Through a variety of learning opportunities, we seek to cultivate a love of God as we gather to worship, study scripture, build relationships, equip disciples, and serve others in word and deed. We firmly believe that music and worship is an integral part of worship according to the Scriptures, and all people involved in our church’s musical, worship, and Every Christian has a part to play within the church family, and God has given each of us certain talents (I Corinthians 12:4-6) that we are to use for His glory and honor. Our main goal, then, is to have everyone be involved musically and artistically in our congregation! If you have ways in which you feel called to serve, welcome to First Baptist - we have a place for you here!