Position Available Associate Pastor for Children March 2021

Job Description: Associate Pastor for Children
Beth-El Mennonite Church

Purpose: To cultivate a nurturing environment for children and their families, help them to connect with the congregation as a whole, and shepherd them in a particularly Anabaptist process of spiritual formation that invites them to follow Jesus Christ.

Reporting & Support: This part-time position (⅓ FTE, 13 hrs/wk) reports to the Pastor, draws support from the Pastoral Congregational Relations Team (PCRT), and receives oversight from the Beth-El Leadership Team (BLT).

Essential Qualities or Qualifications

• Demonstrate an ongoing personal and communal faith commitment to follow Jesus, as envisioned by the Beth-EL membership covenant: “Together with the Beth-El faith community, I will seek to follow Jesus.”
• Display a strong pastoral love for, and commitment to, children and their families.
• Value prayer—Pray for the congregation on a regular basis.
• Model healthy and safe boundaries in relationships with all members, attenders, and visitors.
• Demonstrate a humble spirit, willing to listen, learn, and work well with others.
• Give time, energy, and attention to forming, maintaining and growing healthy relationships with his/her own self and with his/her own family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Shepherd the Children’s Ministry (Infants-Grade 5) at Beth-El.
  1. Gather, guide, support, and empower a Children’s Ministry Team to assist in the planning and implementing of Sunday morning Nursery, Children’s elements during and after Sunday Worship, Advent/Lent activities, a form of Vacation Bible School each summer, volunteer/teacher training, and other activities related to Children’s ministry.
  2. Discern how this ministry might continue to grow in serving children and parents of Beth-El, inviting them to experience the love of God and to be formed by the Holy Spirit.
  3. Nurture faith-forming, intergenerational relationships by finding creative ways to include children and families in Beth-El’s broader congregational life.
  4. Maintain and oversee budget for the Children’s Ministry.
• Be attentive to children and their families as they grow in their connection with, and understanding of, God and others.
  1. Collaborate with parents, seeking counsel from them, equipping and encouraging them in sharing their faith with their children.
  2. Offer pastoral care, counseling/referrals, and crisis care for children and their families.
• Collaborate with other pastors and congregational leaders in the broader life and ministries of Beth-El.
  1. Participate in regular staff meetings.
  2. Provide regular reports to BLT.
  3. Maintain consistent communication with Faith Formation Leader, Youth Pastor, and Pastor.
  4. Preach 1-2 times per year.
  5. Submit to background security checks as outlined in the Child Safety Policy. Collaborate with the Beth-El Safety Team. Ensure all adult volunteers and teachers are in compliance with our Child Safety Policy.
  6. Submit an Annual Report on Children’s Ministries.
• Promote, and participate in, the values, mission, gatherings and institutions of Mountain States Mennonite Conference and Mennonite Church USA.
  1. Pursue a license for ministry from Mountain States Mennonite Conference (i.e. license for specific ministry, license toward ordination, or ordination credential).
• Pursue professional growth and spiritual retreat opportunities.