Student Ministries Pastor

Job Title: Student Ministries Pastor

Reports To: Lead Pastor

Classification: Part-Time, Exempt, Salary

Hours: ~15 hours per week

Job Function

The Student Ministries Pastor serves as a member of the pastoral staff, providing vision, leadership, and pastoral care for the spiritual formation of middle and high school students. Through relationships, Sunday discipleship spaces, volunteer leadership development, and partnering with families, the Student Ministries Pastor helps students become apprentices of Jesus who actively participate in the life and mission of the church.

This is an intentionally focused, sustainable role for its first season. We are building Student Ministries thoughtfully over time, and this position will not be expected to do everything Student Ministries could eventually become. The Student Ministries Pastor will work closely with the Lead Pastor to set priorities, protect a sustainable workload, and focus on what's most impactful within a 15-hour-per-week role.

Spiritual Qualifications

• Profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
• Commitment to ongoing spiritual growth and a healthy lifestyle.
• Model the expectations and standards of the Duluth Vineyard Church.
• Pursue membership at the Duluth Vineyard Church within one year of employment.
• Demonstrate spiritual and emotional maturity, personal integrity, and high levels of self-differentiation.
• Maintain personal accountability through relationships with mentors, spiritual directors, or other pastors.

Qualifications

• A growing, authentic relationship with Jesus and a love for the church.
• Demonstrated experience discipling students and building relationships with young people and families.
• Prior experience serving in student ministry.
• Strong volunteer recruitment, training, and leadership development skills.
• Excellent communication, organization, and relational abilities.
• Commitment to Vineyard values and creating a welcoming environment.
• Familiarity with Vineyard values and theology preferred.

Primary Responsibilities

Current Season Focus

• Establishing a healthy discipleship environment for middle and high school students.
• Building meaningful relationships with students and families.
• Recruiting and developing a sustainable volunteer leadership team.
• Helping students grow in their relationship with Jesus and ownership of their faith.

Spiritual Formation and Discipleship

• Lead and oversee weekly discipleship gatherings for middle and high school students.
• Provide age-appropriate teaching, worship, discussion, and experiences rooted in Scripture and the love of Jesus.
• Create engaging, safe, and Spirit-led environments for student spiritual growth.
• Encourage and equip families to be the primary spiritual influencers in their teens' lives.
• Build meaningful relationships with students through relational investment, encouragement, and pastoral care.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, train, and care for a volunteer team within Student Ministries.
• Foster a healthy volunteer culture marked by spiritual maturity and shared leadership.
• Provide ongoing coaching, encouragement, and pastoral support to volunteer leaders.
• Partner with church staff to align Student Ministries with the broader mission of the church.

Culture & Community

• Cultivate a culture where students are seen, known, valued, and empowered.
• Collaborate with pastoral staff to create opportunities for students to serve, lead, and engage in the broader life of the church.

Church Participation

• Attend weekly Tuesday staff meetings and participate in ministry planning.
• Offer pastoral support at Sunday gatherings and key church events.
• Contribute to the health and spiritual leadership of the church as a member of the pastoral staff.

Future Scope

• Designing a formal, long-term discipleship pathway for students.
• Deeper intergenerational relationship-building across the church.
• Supporting students and families through milestone moments such as baptisms and graduations.
• Involvement in preaching team meetings and discussions.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to disciple and teach middle and high school students.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, active listening, and relational presence.
• Ability to lead and delegate with clarity, humility, and initiative.
• Skilled in communication, organization, and navigating ministry challenges with grace.

Schedule & Location

This is a part-time, on-site pastoral position averaging approximately 15 hours per week, primarily including Sunday mornings, weekly Tuesday staff meetings, and volunteer/family touchpoints throughout the week. Some administrative work may be done remotely at the Student Ministries Pastor's discretion. Flexibility is required, as ministry needs may occasionally extend beyond regularly scheduled hours for special events, retreats, or student activities.

Employment Conditions

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Duluth Vineyard Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in accordance with applicable law, while reserving the right to hire based on religious qualifications consistent with our mission and beliefs as a faith-based organization.

Pay: $23,000.00 - $27,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23,000 - $27,000