Overview
Hendersonville First United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Director of Student Ministries to join our staff team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about servant-leadership to students (grades 7th-college) and their families. They will also be competent and experienced in providing oversight to a collaborative ministry team of staff and volunteers to implement a ministry vision. They will be excited to build authentic relationships with students and adults that model and foster life-long faith.
About Us
Located in Hendersonville (a quickly-growing north suburb of Nashville), HFUMC is a vibrant faith community with a rich history and strong tradition of community involvement, discipleship groups/classes and missions. More than 300 worshipers gather for worship each week, enjoying both traditional and contemporary worship styles. The church is centrally located in the community, directly across the street from the largest middle and high schools. With its mission to create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, the church and its congregants are poised and excited to grow with the community and its needs.
The student ministry is nurtured by a clear vision, invested congregational support and a weekly volunteer staff of more than thirty-five coaches who mentor roughly 120 students through three weekly programs. Throughout the year, students also gather for seasonal events, retreats and a summer missions trip that augment our strategy to build community and provide opportunities for discipleship, missions and life-change. With recent growth experienced within the student ministry, a Student Ministry Program Coordinator will additionally be hired (after the Student Director) to assist with many of the administrative roles of the student ministry.
Primary Responsibilities
The Director of Student Ministries will be directly responsible for…
The Director of Student Ministries will achieve these initiatives by…
o Praying for all HFUMC students and the student ministry program regularly and facilitating a joyful and welcoming presence within the student ministry.
o Prioritizing a ministry of relational presence by attending community and school events involving HFUMC students whenever possible, providing appropriate follow-up to first-time visitors and absentee students, and by being visibly available within other facets of ministry within the church and community.
o Providing leadership for all programmatic pieces of the ministry including but not limited to Sunday School, The Lounge on Sunday Night, Wednesday night Student Discipleship Groups, fundraisers, seasonal events, retreats, and trips in accordance with the church agreed upon Safe Sanctuaries Policy (for working with minors).
o Protecting the strategic progress of the student ministry by maintaining and providing oversight to a leadership team that assists with the student ministry through routine evaluation of the health of the ministry; volunteer recruitment, training, and placement; calendaring of major events; aiding in the selection of curriculum and teaching templates; and setting short and long-term goals (updated annually) based on the student ministry’s mission and values.
o Providing training, resources, spiritual support and encouragement to the volunteers and paid staff working within the student ministry.
o Ensuring that news, key information and priorities of the student ministry are communicated clearly both to parents, students and leaders through all electronic, social and print media.
o Working with the pastors and other church staff in developing and leading programs to incorporate students in all phases of the life and worship of the church.
o Sustaining a ministry initiative to engage college-age students in the life and ministry of the church through seasonal class offerings and trips.
o With the assistance of the leadership team, developing an annual student ministry budget that includes anticipated revenue and expenses for each event.
Other Considerations
Candidates considering this position must have a minimum of a college degree in Youth Ministry or similar background (with preference for Master’s level of study) and proven past experience in effective ministry leadership to students and families. Prospective candidates should be experienced in engaging ministry teams of both paid staff and volunteers to accomplish a vision to provide for the spiritual formation of students ranging in age from middle school to college-age. Ideal skill sets include strong communication skills; experience in equipping and empowering leadership teams; ability to work with and relate to students, parents and other adult stakeholders; adaptability; and ability to resolve conflict in a manner that fosters trust and confidence in student ministry and its staff.
This is a full-time, salaried position with available pension options. Compensation package will be commensurate of past education and leadership experience. The Director of Student Ministries reports directly to the Associate Pastor of Connections and is accountable to the Senior Pastor and Staff-Parish Relations Committee.
Interested applicants may send resumes and cover letters to Pastor Joshua Strader at [email protected]. Cover letters should include a brief description of the applicant’s top leadership strengths and experiences as well as a statement about what excites them the most about being a part of the HFUMC staff team.
Located in Hendersonville, TN (a quickly-growing north suburb of Nashville), HFUMC is a vibrant faith community with a rich history and strong tradition of community involvement, discipleship groups/classes and missions. More than 300 worshipers gather for worship each week, enjoying both traditional and contemporary worship styles. The church is centrally located in the community, directly across the street from the largest middle and high schools. With its mission to create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, the church and its congregants are poised and excited to grow with the community and its needs.