About us

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH is a progressive faith community located in Saint Charles, IL.

Our work environment includes:

• Work-from-home days
• Supportive work environment
• Fully equipped office and workspace

Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries

Position Description & Employee Agreement

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries (DCYF) is charged with developing and overseeing those ministries specifically aimed at nurturing the discipleship of young people and their families as they make the transition from children to mature Christian disciples. This position reports to the Lead Pastor.

CORE VALUES

Those who are employed by Bethlehem Lutheran Church serve a congregation that has been gathered by Christ. It is essential that rostered leaders and staff of Bethlehem Lutheran Church carry out their work in a manner that exemplifies who we are as God’s people. The following core values spell out our expectation of the spirit with which we go about our work together. It is expected that the DCYF understands and agrees to the core values of discipleship, commitment, collegiality, excellence, and accountability as spelled out below.

DISCIPLESHIP

It is essential that rostered leaders and staff understand that their work is done under the grace of Jesus Christ and that their primary vocation is to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. With this understanding, rostered leaders and lay staff will:

· Strive to be an example of active faith in love;

· Strive to be diligent in the study of scripture, the use of the means of grace, prayer, faithful service, and holy living;

· Carry out their work in a way that honors and glorifies God;

· Conduct themselves in a way that befits a disciple of Jesus, such as communicating in a courteous manner, treatment of coworkers and disciples with respect, courtesy, honesty, and maintains appropriate confidentiality.

COMMITMENT

All that we do at Bethlehem Lutheran Church serves the mission of Jesus Christ in the world and the specific mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in our location. Understanding this, rostered leaders and staff will:

· Be committed to the mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, “empowered by the Holy Spirit, our mission is to invite all people to become disciples of Jesus Christ, nurture each other’s faith, and go into the world to live for God;”

· Understand that everything they do as an employee of Bethlehem Lutheran Church serves that mission.

COLLEGIALITY

Every staff person of Bethlehem Lutheran Church is part of a mission team. Carrying out the mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church requires a spirit of collegiality and cooperation between all staff and its disciples. Understanding this, rostered leaders and staff will:

· Recognize the value of coworkers and disciples and work collaboratively with others to achieve the mission of the congregation;

· Demonstrate open, effective communication with coworkers and disciples in a professional and understanding manner;

· Exhibit positive response and support to change;

· Maintain appropriate confidentiality in staff matters;

· Participate meaningfully in staff meetings and retreats;

· Encourage and contribute to a culture of openness and trust.

EXCELLENCE

Achieving the mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church requires that tasks be carried out with creativity, competence, and openness to change. Understanding that, rostered leaders and staff will:

· Constantly find ways to improve position-specific job skills and take advantage of opportunities to improve through education and personal growth;

· Be open minded about new and innovative ways to perform particular job functions;

· Serve as a role model for others.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Faithful discipleship and effective church leadership requires a high level of accountability to one’s supervisors and coworkers. Understanding this, rostered leaders and staff will:

· Be on time to meetings and appointments with coworkers and disciples;

· Participate meaningfully in periodic performance evaluations of work;

· Actively listen to feedback and be open to constructive criticism;

· Promptly provide reports required by church leadership and work supervisor.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

· Actively work with the rostered leaders, Sunday School lay leaders, confirmation mentors, and the DCYF Ministry Team to craft an overall vision and strategic direction for BLC’s children, youth, and family ministry.

· Be able to demonstrate success in equipping mentors and building relationships with BLC disciples and the DCYF Ministry Team to the end that it develops relational supports and increases volunteerism for this area of ministry.

· Create and lead planning and programming that nurtures the faith of and cultivates leadership of all young people and their families.

· Consistently engage with the lay lead DCYF Ministry Team and empower them to be engaged in the planning and leading of programming for children, youth, and families.

· Plan, schedule, and execute excellent and meaningful activities for all age groups. These should include small and large group experiences, fellowship and service opportunities, special retreats, and local and “wider world” encounters.

· Work with the rostered leaders and confirmation mentors in teaching and leadership of the BLC Confirmation program.

· Facilitate the process of welcoming 6th and 9th graders—and their parents—to new programs and groups as they transition into middle school and high school, respectively.

· Empower, support, and encourage Bethlehem families in their faith practices at home, in our congregation, and in our community. Equip parents/guardians through regular communication, invitation for involvement, and provision of resources that aid them in fulfilling their responsibility to pass on the Christian faith to their children.

· Strive to know Bethlehem children, youth and families and be known to them; be an available and personable presence in our community. Empower other adults in our congregation to invest in supportive, mentoring relationships with our young disciples.

· Invite the participation and service of our children, youth, and families in all areas of the ministry of the congregation, especially in worship.

· Organize and oversee summer programming for youth – mission trips, National ELCA Youth Gathering, Middle School service and fellowship opportunities, 4th/5th VBS mission week, and Leadership Lab.

· Participate in weekly church staff meetings.

· Organize and oversee annual children and youth fundraisers.

· Administrate and manage Children, Youth and Family ministries in a timely and effective manner, including developing and maintaining the program budget, scheduling events in cooperation with other staff, effectively communicating activities and mission to the wider congregation both through print and electronic means, maintaining an accurate calendar of ministry activities, working with the appropriate staff to track registrations and payments for various activities, organizing periodic fund-raising activities, and ensuring Bethlehem’s safety policies are followed.

· Actively participate in the ministry life of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church.

· Participate in local, regional, and national networks for children and youth ministry for support, growth, and accountability.

· Welcome and include our congregation’s college students in appropriate activities, projects, and events.

COMPENSATION & OTHER REMUNERATION

This is a full-time position with paid benefits. Annual salary $45,000.

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Dir. of Children, Youth and Family Date

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Council President Date

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• this type of work: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Saint Charles, IL 60174 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Saint Charles, IL 60174: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person