Associate Pastor of Students

Principal Function

The Associate Pastor of Students is responsible for providing leadership in the church’s ministry to students. He is to accomplish this through developing and maintaining a biblically based and comprehensive ministry for students in Middle and Senior High School and beyond. He is to give consideration to the church’s overall vision and long range planning as he seeks to develop the ministry. He will also serve as the primary resource person to the children’s ministry.

Leadership Responsibilities

The Associate Pastor of Students is responsible to the Lord, to the lead pastor, and to the congregation of First Baptist Church - Clay.

Qualifications

• Be a Christian and of like mind, faith, and practice (Southern Baptist).

• Meet Biblical requirements for elders as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Titus 1:5-9.

• Be teachable and always learning.

• Agree with the doctrinal statement of the Baptist Faith Message 2000.

• Be a spiritually mature and godly person.

• Possess a thorough knowledge of the Bible with the ability to teach, lead, and help students apply biblical truth to their life.

• Posses good people skills.

• Possess good listening skills and able to provide biblical counsel.

• Be able to communicate effectively with students and parents.

• Support biblical and parental authority as he works with students.

• Be a bible college graduate and/or working towards a seminary degree..

Youth Responsibilities

• Maintain a spirit of cooperation with ministerial staff.

• Minister to students and student’s parents.

• Seek to integrate students into the life of the church; fostering relationships with the other generations.

• Work a five-day work week. The work week for the pastoral staff is considered Sunday-Thursday. The day off during the week can be changed as long as it is approved by the lead pastor.

• Maintain office hours. Office hours are to be determined in coordination with the lead pastor.

• Foster, promote, and actively participate in student programs that provide spiritual growth and fellowship activities such as: Mission opportunities, camps, retreats, DNow weekends, and community services.

• Establish a regular program of visitation for and with students (in cooperation with) the overall church outreach program. Train students in outreach, discipleship, and evangelism.

• Visit the middle and high school campuses. Have personal contact with students at school-approved times.

• Counsel students and/or their parents own issues relating to salvation, their overall spiritual life, and other important issues in life. Be available to love and listen to our students.

• Encourage students to participate in other church ministries available to them.

• Provide recreational and fellowship activities for students.

• Motivate, instruct, and coordinate the activities with adult workers in the student ministries.

• Ensure adequate adult sponsors are present for all student programs and activities; taking into account proper group practices to ensure there is no chance of anyone being blamed for an inappropriate or questionable relationship.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Develop and administer the Student Ministry Budget.

• Be present at weekly staff and accountability meetings.

• Develop the Student Ministry Calendar in cooperation with the Church Calendar.

• Work with Sunday School Director in building and developing Student Sunday School Classes and leadership.

• Act as the primary resource person to the children’s ministry and their respective Sunday School Classes.

• Keep a clean and respectable appearance that brings glory to God and sets an example for our members.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist in worship services as directed by the lead pastor.

• Preach on occasion as directed by the lead pastor.

• Manage a social media/online presence.

• Visit the hospitals as needed.

• Visit church members as needed.

• Assist the lead pastor as needed.

Relationship to Lead Pastor and Staff

• Responsible and accountable through the lead pastor to the church.

• Recognize the lead pastor as the administrator and leader of the total church program.

• Other duties as assigned by the lead pastor.

• Participate in a yearly job performance review under the lead pastor.

First Baptist Church - Clay, is a Southern Baptist Church in a small rural community with approximately 120 weekly members and visitors. Our congregation is seeking a full-time associate pastor whose main ministry focus will be on middle school, high school, and connecting college-age students to the life of the church.

On Wednesdays, last school year, we ministered to approximately 134 students. At the beginning of this upcoming school year, 49 of those students will be between 7th-11th grade with a large 6th grade class coming after that. There is a great opportunity for whomever God selects for us.

We view the associate position as a "pastor" (1 Timothy 3:8-13 Titus 1:5-9) not a hired-hand. The associate pastor of students will work with, be mentored, and held accountable by, the lead pastor. There will be opportunities to preach on occasion and will be expected to preach when the lead pastor is away.

We are seeking a man called to student ministry, not one who views it as a stepping stone. Obviously, God ultimately controls that but a commitment to students is paramount for this position.