Director or Assistant Pastor of Student Ministries

Join First Presbyterian Church (First Pres) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, as a Director of Student Ministries, dedicated to equipping the congregation to engage and disciple Middle, High and College aged students through peer and multigenerational relationships.

Purpose: To help build the body of Christ at First Presbyterian Church by focusing on the faith development of middle and high school and college students. The director will recruit, lead, train and encourage students and congregation members, with an understanding that student ministry includes worship, education, spiritual development, evangelism, missions, service fellowship, and affirmation of youth and college students, and support for their families.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Wisdom and demonstrated history of developing ministry for students focused on the long term following of Jesus Christ and the tools to work through seasons of challenge or doubt.
• A deep and growing love for, faith in, and relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• An affirmation of acceptance of the ECO Essential Tenets.
• A working knowledge and commitment to continued study of the scriptures and prayer.
• A commitment to worship and participate in the life of First Pres.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with advanced training for Assistant Pastor.
• Meet requirements of the child protection policy at First Pres.
• At least 3 years of full-time church-based ministry.
• An ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and work collaboratively with others in an encouraging manner.
• Experience recruiting and supervising covenant partners for student engagement.
• Experience managing paid staff (ex. interns) not required but desired.

Job Duties:

Collaborate with the Student Ministries Team to:

• Develop and maintain student ministry commensurate with the vision and needs of the church focused on the long term following of Jesus Christ and the tools to work through seasons of challenge or doubt.
• Build relationships with middle school, high school, and college students to establish and maintain their walk with Jesus and invest in their daily lives.
• Make calls and visits with youth and college students and families during times of need or significant moments.
• Connect First Pres covenant partners to relate to, disciple and support students.
• Implement, manage and run programs and activities to support the long term vision including Sunday school, bible study, confirmation class, retreats, camps, evangelism, mission engagement, service, and relationship-building activities.
• Communicate with students, families and appropriate involved parties about planned or ongoing activities coordinating with the Communications team and first utilizing resources and methods First Pres already employs.
• Update and maintain records of students, adult volunteers (including child protection review
  and updates), planned activities (calendar), curriculum use (either external or internally built), monthly activities report, meeting minutes, session reports, finances (including annual budget preparation and linked spending).
• Attend and lead/report at regular Student Ministries Team meetings (monthly), session and other committee/ministry teams meetings (as needed),
• Attend ECO/Christian training, classes, and conferences for spiritual and professional development.
• All other duties as assigned by the Pastor or Student Ministries Team.

Behavioral Expectations: Subordinate to The Great Commandment, the person in this role gives active and loyal support to First Presbyterian Church, its philosophies and objectives, and to abide by all church regulations and policies as stated in the ECO Policies and Procedures Handbook. All paid staff of First Presbyterian Church are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a Christ-centered manner. In addition, all staff are expected to perform their work for the Glory of God as directed in Colossians 3: 23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”