Director Of Children's And Youth Ministry

Job Title: Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry and Communications Coordinator

Location: Wheaton, IL 

Contact: Pastor David Walters 

Contact Email: dwalters@holycrosswheaton.org

About Holy Cross

Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a vibrant multigenerational community on the north side of Wheaton, IL. Throughout its history, Holy Cross has placed children’s and youth ministry as a key foundational block upon which it answers its call to be a loving community in the name of Christ. In recent years, this ministry has continued to grow with consistent programing and relationships created both with leaders and youth. This consistency is, in part, the result of staff members who bring forward their talents in creative and joy filled ways in the midst of their work. 

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate, organized and relational leader to serve as our next Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry and Communications Coordinator. This individual will play a key role in cultivating faith formation opportunities for children, middle school students, high school students, and families while also overseeing church-wide communications that keep our congregation connected and informed. 

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with strong communication skills, a heart for ministry, and the ability to build authentic relationships with children, youth, families, volunteers and the broader congregation and community. He/She will work closely with pastors, staff, volunteers, and families in a supportive and creative ministry environment.

Expectations 

• Team Planning: Serve as part of a team, actively working to foster a collegial, supportive atmosphere with other staff members, volunteers, and the congregation as a whole through creative idea generation, visioning, and problem solving.
• Confidentiality: Recognize and respect the need for treating appropriate information confidentially.
• Support for Holy Cross: Assume a supportive stance toward the congregation, its mission and ethics, its leaders, and its worshiping community.
• Communication: Communicate regularly with the pastors, other staff, volunteers, and families in those ministry areas to which the position relates.
• Worship: Participate actively in the worship life of Holy Cross, actively encouraging others to do so as well. 
• Relationship: Foster positive relationships, in addition to planned activities, with children, youth, and families throughout the Holy Cross community.
• Schedule: Position includes regular evening and weekend ministry responsibilities.

Core Responsibilities and Duties

• General Responsibilities
  • Create lessons and plan activities for all children’s and youth events and gatherings
  • Plan and lead all children’s and youth events and gatherings
  • Coordinate volunteer help for all events and gatherings not lead by the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry and Communications Coordinator
  • Plan and lead annual volunteer appreciation event
• High School Ministry 
  • Plan and lead weekly youth group gatherings throughout the year
  • Plan and coordinate weekly Sunday School lessons through program year
  • Plan and lead annual winter retreat weekend
  • Plan and lead annual fall lock-in
  • Plan and lead annual week-long summer event (service trip, ELCA National Youth Gathering, or retreat depending on the year)
  • Recruit and mentor a student-mentor team through monthly meetings
  • Work in collaboration on mission and vision of youth programs with pastoral staff
• Middle School Ministry 
  • Plan and coordinate bi-monthly middle school youth group nights throughout the year
  • Plan and coordinate weekly Sunday School lessons through program year
  • Plan and lead annual fall confirmation retreat weekend 
  • Plan and lead annual spring lock-in
  • Work in collaboration on mission and vision of youth programs with pastoral staff
• Pre-School and Elementary School Ministry 
  • Plan and coordinate weekly Sunday School lessons through program year
  • Plan and lead monthly BLAST events
  • Plan and coordinate summer camp (i.e. Vacation Bible School)
  • Plan and coordinate weekly WHAT'S UP lessons for both services
  • Work in collaboration on mission and vision of children’s programs with pastoral staff
• Communications Coordination
  • Oversee weekly communication through church wide mid-week emails
  • Manage church calendar and announcements on church website
• Additional responsibilities could include:
  • Small Group Ministry Coordination
  • Volunteer Coordination 
  • Young Adult Ministry
  • Fostering Community Relationships and Outreach
  • Children’s and Youth Ministry Music Programs in collaboration with staff
  • Other: based on personal interest and needs of Holy Cross

Qualifications 

• Children’s and Youth ministry or appropriate work or volunteer experience working with children and youth
• Understanding of children’s and youth culture and issues facing young people today
• Christian thought and spiritual reflection
• Competencies in the areas of
• Planning and organization
• Communication
• Leadership 

Compensation

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation for roles that will be performed in Illinois. Actual salaries may vary based on various factors, including education and experience. Base salary is projected as $50,100. In addition, we provide a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, pension, paid holidays and paid time off.