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Director of Family Ministries

Moreland Presbyterian Church
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DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES (CHILDREN AND YOUTH)

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Family Ministries (Children and Youth) provides leadership and oversight for the various expressions of the ministries involving Children and Youth (and their families) at Moreland Presbyterian Church (MPC). The Director works in partnership with and support of the Pastoral and Ministry staff in envisioning, creating, coordinating and facilitating opportunities for spiritual relationship, formation, growth and service for children and adolescents within the MPC community and in engagement with the broader community. Additionally, this position supports the on-going relational pastoral ministries of the church with particular focus on families with children and youth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight/Leadership for Family Ministries (Children and Youth)

Cultivate, coordinate, promote and facilitate relational ministries for children (birth-5th grade) and youth (6th-12th grade) and their families which enhance the experience of spiritual community and embody the inclusive love, grace, peace and justice of Jesus Christ. Model values reflective of the Spirit of Christ in day-to-day interactions with children and youth, guiding them in incorporating these values in their interactions with each other, their families, and in the broader community.  

  1. Establish and maintain personal, caring relationships with children and youth (and their parents) to promote self-esteem, personal growth, mature decision making, and spiritual fellowship.
  2. For Ages 0-3 – Recruit and supervise Child Care staff and/or volunteers, providing a safe and caring community for young children to experience the love, care and nurture of Christ.
  3. For Preschool-5th Grade:
    1. Create and facilitate (with volunteers) a welcoming and engaging weekly Sunday School experience, including reviewing/preparing curriculum and maintaining classroom/materials.
    2. Create and facilitate (with volunteers) a regular weekday experience (traditionally during academic year) to creatively engage children in community through storytelling, art, music,  dance, imaginative play, and other opportunities to learn, grow, share and serve together.
  4. For 6th-12th Grades:
    1. Create and facilitate (with volunteers) regular opportunities for youth to connect in a safe, welcoming and caring community with each other and adult volunteers. (Currently, the primary gathering time for students is on Sundays from 6.00-7.30pm at MPC, with one gathering per month with the Youth Collective. This can be adapted/changed with student availability, etc.)
    2. Facilitate youth participation with the SEPDX Youth Collective (a collaborative community including students and leaders from area churches), the Youth Solidarity Movement and Together Lab, as well as other community partners. Connect and collaborate regularly with the leadership team of the SEPDX Youth Collective to broaden and deepen relational and spiritual connections between youth and church communities involved in the Collective, and expand the possibilities for growth and service in the Portland community and beyond.
  5. Provide regular opportunities for relational connection, resources and support to parents/families. 
  6. Invite and engage adults as volunteers who are equipped and supported to serve as mentors with children/youth on their journeys of life and faith through relational connections at ministry events and in everyday life. (This includes ensuring background checks for all volunteers.)
  7. Collaborate w/ MPC ministry leadership to develop goals to create a formation and discipleship ministry for children and youth rooted in creative contemplation, conversation and social action, grounded in the Christian tradition and inclusive of a broad diversity of sources and experiences from spiritual wisdom traditions beyond Christianity, adaptable in ministry perspectives and experiences to natural and evolving changes in culture, and integrated as a part of the overarching vision of growth and development for children into adolescence and young adulthood.
  8. Work with representatives from other MPC ministries to plan, coordinate and execute activities for children/youth and their families that support the overall ministry vision and mission of MPC and promote church-wide and community involvement (i.e. all-church worship, mission/peacemaking experiences, church ministry leadership). 

Additional Responsibilities

  1. Facilitate consistent, clear and timely communication within the Children’s and Youth ministries, and between these ministries and all MPC ministry areas.
  2. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled Ministry Staff meetings, Children’s and Youth Ministry Team meetings, and Ministry Staff retreats/visioning.
  3. Assist in Sunday worship leadership (including occasional preaching) as needed/interested.
  4. Responsibly manage the budget for all ministries entrusted to their care.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Demonstrated ability to give overall leadership and support to broad-based, diverse ministries with children, youth and their families.
  • Demonstrated ability to envision how children, youth and neighbors beyond the immediate MPC faith community can integrate and enhance our life together as a community of multiple generations, experiences and expressions of spirituality, identity and gender.
  • Demonstrated leadership, planning, and communications skills. 
  • Commitment to the Moreland Presbyterian community of faith, to the Ministry Staff team, and to consistent availability on Sundays, weekends (for special events) and church holidays.
  • Previous experience in children’s/youth ministry and community engagement/organizing.
  • Previous experience working with a broad diversity of children and youth, including those who live with neurodivergence/disabilities, as well as those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
  • Successful completion of a Bachelor’s Degree (or other related post-secondary education).
  • Successful completion of a criminal background check.    

OVERALL RELATIONSHIPS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Accountability to the Pastor/Head of Staff and Personnel Team (on behalf of Session).
  • Collegiality in working relationships with the Elders for Children and Youth and members of the Ministry Teams, the pastor, other church employees, and members of the congregation.
  • Compliance with the Book of Order, and other policies, procedures and guidelines established by the church (including the MPC Safe Church Policy), Cascades Presbytery and the PC(USA).

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, non-ordained, year-round salaried professional ministry position and is considered exempt under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act for Professional Employees. The incumbent is expected to devote the hours required to perform and accomplish the responsibilities of the position (normally 40 hours per week). 

REPORTING AND EVALUATION

This position reports directly to the Pastor/Head of Staff. The Personnel Ministry Team will assign a Team member as a liaison to meet on a periodic basis with the Director.