Pastor of Family Ministries
The Pastor of Family Ministries is the advocate for the generations of the church and will oversee the structures and atmosphere of the church to ensure that the family of God is working together to make disciples of the next generation. He is first an advocate for the young (children, youth and early adults) because these are the people who are least knowledgeable and least experienced in the Christian life. He is next an advocate for the parent of these young people because they are in the greatest position to influence the young. He is third concerned for other mature adults because they have an important role in the discipleship and mentoring of parents and young people, alike.
Areas of Responsibility:
The Pastor of Family Ministries will oversee the discipleship systems from cradle to college and to their parents. The role is designed to develop and maintain a vision for encouraging and equipping all families to make the home the center of godly influence. The Pastor will work closely with the adult discipleship leaders to ensure that parents are prepared to lead their children and that young people have spiritual mentors when their parent cannot be the model. The Pastor of Family Ministries will faithfully teach God’s infallible word.
Church-Based Ministries
- Oversee relational, engaging ministries to children and youth.
- Create and administer new discipleship programs and activities.
- Ensure that the curriculum used at each level of spiritual development connects to the next.
- Ensure that ministry leaders connect regularly to the homes so parents experience a clear partnership in the discipleship of their children.
- Form relationships within the church body through discipleship that includes pastoral care, spiritual growth and outreach.
- Develop and expound a vision that leads to a focus on teaching Bible knowledge and demonstrating living Christian faith through the relational interaction between the pastor, other leaders and the young.
Family Ministries
- Provide leadership for the Bible teaching, discipleship and cradle to college ministries of the church, with a particular focus on children, youth and their families.
- Build relationships with our children, youth and their parents by spending time with them in their environment – recreational activities, sporting events, musicals, plays, etc.
- Encourage intergenerational gatherings to help the young and all generations to recognize how God is working in the whole family of God.
- Work with the senior pastor and other ministry teams to ensure that there are opportunities for all generations to worship, learn and serve together in mission and outreach opportunities.
Equipping, Training and Encouraging Parents
- Work with ministry leaders to bridge the gap between what children and youth are learning in their programs and what adults are learning in theirs.
- Guide ministry leaders in selecting or developing a curriculum that is cohesive from cradle to college that helps parents to complement the church learning with home learning.
- Invest in leadership development to put in place leaders equipped to fulfill a family-based disciple making ministry.
- Ensure that parents and grandparents are encouraged and equipped in their role as the primary disciplers of their children.
- Develop and implement a plan for on-going parent training and encouragement.
- Plan and administer retreats, gatherings and activities to implement such training and encouragement.
- Oversee training that leads parents into a biblical study to help them understand their role and responsibilities.
- Coach parents and children privately on specific issues in their family.
Children’s Ministry
- Administratively plan and coordinate activities around Sunday School, Nursery, Children’s Church, Children’s Choir, AWANA, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Camp, Day Camps, and other ministries as they are identified and developed.
- Identify, equip and lead any staff or volunteers that serve in any cradle to college ministry.
- Provide leadership and shepherding for children’s ministry leaders and volunteers.
- Regularly share information with and solicits feedback from leaders and volunteers.
- Be a present figure in the children’s area who actively engages with the children.
Other Ministry Responsibilities
- Fill the pulpit and assume other pastoral responsibilities as needed in the Pastor’s absence.
- Assist in pastoral care and hospital visitation ministries.
Qualifications
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university.
- Candidate should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in working closely with families, children, and teens.
- Specialized knowledge in family ministry and discipleship training.
- Candidate should walk consistently with the Lord and demonstrate faith and obedience in personal life and ministry.
- Skills should include but are not limited to church leadership, counseling, teaching, event planning and coaching.
- Abilities should include good written and verbal communication, providing strong input to an organization’s strategic direction, and translating vision and mission into appropriate programs for families, children and youth.
- Maintains a working environment characterized by high levels of encouragement and trust.
- Teachable spirit with a desire to grow.