Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, ELCA

Overview

The Director of Children and Youth Ministries (DCYM or they) shall provide ministry and
care to the children and youth of Emmanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA) and their families.
They shall nurture the growth of faith in accordance with the Constitution and Mission
Statement of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

The person in this position reports to the Pastor. The position will require an average of 20
hours of work per week, throughout the year.

Applicants may submit a cover letter and resume to Emmanuel at jobs@elcbethesda.org or apply on Handshake. Also, our phone number is 301-365-5733. Welcome!

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Children’s Ministry (Pre-K - 6th Grade)
● The DCYM is responsible for organizing, planning, and teaching in the Children’s
Sunday School (CSS), which includes:
o Lay out an appropriate curriculum and ensure that materials are on hand for CSS,
including nursery.
o Ensure that there is an adequate staff of prepared and trained teachers.
o Maintain the CSS calendar and CSS contacts for the church database.
● Collaborate on service-learning lessons with the Service-Learning Coordinator.
 

Youth Ministry (7th-12th grades)
● The DCYM will assess the needs for a youth program at Emmanuel and work to develop
a program that is consistent with those needs, and is aligned with the Child Protection
Policy . The DCYM will engage youth in the selection and implementation of projects.
Other Duties
● Participate in Christian Education Committee meetings and collaborate in developing
and maintaining the budget related to children and youth ministries.
● Take responsibility for implementation of the Child Protection Policy, including
training on the policy, and for permission forms and media permission forms for
children and youth.

Overall Ministry

● Communicate (including through regular announcements) and consistently engage
with children, youth, and families to promote consistent participation in CSS and youth
and family activities.
● Facilitate special events for children, youth, and intergenerational groups, for example, the Christmas pageant and children and youth activities for events for start-of-year,
year-end, and seasonal occasions.
● Provide regular reports to the Church Council through the Christian Education
committee.
● Write and recruit others (including youth) to write monthly articles for the Emmanuel
Monthly News Notes.
● Check teaching areas for cleanliness and safety, requesting cleaning if needed.
● Additional DCYM-related projects as assigned by the Pastor.

Job Expectations
● Report to the Pastor, who is their supervisor.
● Seek approval of major program initiatives from the Pastor and Church Council.
Discusses activities with Christian Education Committee.
● Participate in weekly staff meetings.
● Work an average of 20 hours per week throughout the year, including working onsite
for CSS, confirmation, and youth group meetings, with regular “office hours” (a
combination of remote and on-site office hours); the church calendar will guide activity
schedule and will require flexible work hours, including weekends and evenings.
● Submit to a security background check and adhere to Emmanuel’s Child Protection
Policy.

Candidate Characteristics
Candidate Qualities Required

● Is a person of faith in God, compatible with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.
● Has a heart for ministry with children and families.
● Possess the energy and imagination to work with young children.

● Possess the energy, flexibility, and adaptability to work with youth and
parents/guardians.
● Has strong interpersonal skills in working with volunteers and people of all ages.
● Possess ability to connect with, reach out to and invite children, youth,
parents/guardians, and families.
● Encourage children, youth, parents/guardians and families to use their God-given gifts
to serve God.
● Respect and celebrate diversity of all kinds.
● Demonstrate a passion for service.
● Has strong interpersonal and leadership skills to work closely with and support the
Pastor in DCYM activities.

Candidate Experience

Required:
● Experience (whether as a participant and/or leader) in Christian education and/or
youth ministry (2-3 yrs. preferred)
● Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills
● Demonstrated excellent and effective oral and written communication skills
 

Preferred:
● Bachelor’s degree
● Demonstrated project management skills
● Experience with Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Google Docs
● Adept at social media and online communication (graphic design a plus)

Salary

$28,000 annually for 20 hours/week. Benefits are available.