PURPOSE:  To be present in the lives of the youth in their various contexts.  The student minister will work to provide a safe place where students feel they can belong, believe, and become lifelong disciples of Jesus.

SUMMARY:  Oversee, develop, and coordinate all areas of student ministry.  Help equip adults (parents, guardians, and others in the church) to disciple students.

ACCOUNTABILITY:  The student minister falls under the direct supervision of the Co-Pastors and the general oversight of the Elders of Bethany Christian Church. The position is full-time, salaried.

MINISTRY AREAS:

Investment in People:

• Model “love one another as I have loved you” by investing in those who lead in the various areas of student ministry.
• Model “love one another as I have loved you” by working in conjunction with the staff and elders to invest in people, families, and individuals.                                                                                                                                       General Youth Ministry Oversight:
• Organize, oversee, and develop Sunday School for grades 7-12.
• Organize, oversee, and develop Sunday evening programming.
• Organize, oversee, and develop service projects and cross-cultural mission trips.
• Recruit and train capable, qualified adults to work as part of youth staff.
• Connect with and build relationships with not just the youth but also their families.
• Connect the student ministry with the whole church.                                                                                                  General Ministry:
• Participate with pastoral staff in calling on visitors, helping them to make a positive response to Jesus Christ and assisting them in being a part of the church body.
• Share in hospital visitation, counseling, funerals, conflict management, and care of the Bethany church body as needed and/or scheduled.
• Attend and participate in the monthly all-staff meeting and in weekly staff meetings.
• Work in conjunction with other staff to develop the annual church calendar.
• Work in conjunction with other staff to develop the annual church programming budget.
• Work in conjunction with other staff to oversee, organize, and develop events and ministries that encompass the entire church body.
• Attend and participate in the monthly elders’ meeting and ministry forums as scheduled.
• Work to build and maintain positive relationships within the staff, leadership, and congregation.
• Attend and participate in church functions designed for the entire church.
• Other job related and special requests as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Manifest belief in Jesus as Savior and evidence of a relationship with God.
• Display a passion and calling for youth ministry.
• Have achieved an appropriate and adequate education and experience relevant to the ministry responsibilities.
• Exhibit creativity and willingness to try new things for reaching teens with the Gospel.
• Possess strong administrative skills.
• Utilize a relational style of leadership and ministry.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of Scripture and a mature Christian character.
• Be committed to Bethany Christian Church’s values and vision and to a teamwork approach with other pastoral staff, lay leaders, volunteers, and ministries within the church.
• Display an ability to identify and foster leadership skills in adults and youth.
• Demonstrate the ability to recruit, disciple, and sustain a team of volunteer leaders.
• Exemplify the ability to communicate well with parents, engage them as vital partners, and come alongside families (especially in times of crisis).
• Have experience in coordinating retreats, mission trips and regional group activities.
• Possess the ability to discern unique needs of individuals, large groups, and small groups.
• Be willing to research and connect to current youth culture (topics, trends, etc.).
• Express effective skills for teaching tenets of the Christian faith and fundamental Christian values and know how to apply these to life situations.