St. Andrew's Lutheran Church is currently seeking a full-time Director of Children's Ministry.

About St. Andrew’s:

St. Andrew’s is a vibrant, growing congregation of roughly 9,000 members located in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, a suburban community northeast of St. Paul. Our church is guided by its mission statement to “Proclaim Jesus Christ, Live in Christ, Serve.” Our congregation celebrates active worship life, community outreach, and a robust children, youth, and family ministry program. Approximately 2,400 people attend worship services each week online and in person.

More than 90 individuals serve on the church’s staff. The Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Team is comprised of 8 staff positions, coordinating ministries from birth through high school, plus the summer intern team.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) draws 500 children and more than 150 volunteers. Our youth ministry programs include 6th-8th Grade Confirmation (280 youth participants and 48 small group leaders), an active high school leadership program (approx. 40 youth in leadership roles), and a variety of fellowship events and retreats. The summer children’s and youth ministry program is active, with a variety of camp and retreat experiences, mission trips, Bible studies, small group gatherings, and family events. Many of the summer’s events are supported by the summer intern team.

Position Overview and Summary

The Director of Children’s Ministry supports and affirms the identity, mission and vision of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church by developing and implementing a comprehensive program for children and their families. The position creates innovative and effective ministries that partner with, support, and equip parents and caring adults to support the spiritual and faith formation of children in the context of home, congregation, and community.

Job Functions

Program Leadership and Administration

• Develops a comprehensive program plan children’s ministry.
• Plans, implements, and leads activities and events for children and their families, including KidSpark Sunday School, Skipping Stones (faith journey milestones, specifically Third Grade Bibles and First Communion), special fellowship events (Block Party, Fall Kick Off, Rally Weekend, etc.), family activities, Vacation Bible School, summer ministry experiences, service opportunities, and more.
• Compiles and/or writes curriculum for children’s ministry programs, including KidSpark Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
• Recruits children and families for program participation.
• Partners with the Children, Youth and Family Ministry Team to ensure programs align with and support team and church-wide goals.
• Collaborates with other ministry areas (including: Belonging and Inclusion, EST, etc.) to integrate children’s and family ministry into the whole of congregational life.
• Develops plans for implementing creative, innovative programs for young children, parents and/or families (Baby Time, first-time parent gatherings, etc.).
• Leads Monday Playtime, a weekly open gym program.
• Meets with other children’s ministry staff or program planning.
• Ensures ministry program scheduling is coordinated with other church activities and that all logistical needs are planned and communicated.
• Maintains financial records and manages program budget in in collaboration with Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry and Chief Financial Officer.
• Other Administrative duties required for effective execution of position responsibilities.

Volunteer Management

• Coordinates volunteer needs for elementary children’s ministries, including KidSpark Sunday School (60+ volunteers) and Vacation Bible School (150 youth and adult volunteers).
• Identifies and implements volunteer recruiting strategies; coordinates recruitment and selection process, including application and background screenings.
• Provides initial training and ongoing support to volunteers, including adult volunteers, parents, and high school youth.

Community Connections and Engagement

• Engages in area school and community events to develop relationships and maintain community connections to create and maintain community partnerships.
• Serves as primary connection between Children, Youth, and Family Ministry and Team and Preschools of St. Andrew’s half-day and full-day programs.
• Coordinates weekly preschool chapel leader schedule with pastors and children’s staff.
• Leads preschool chapel at least twice per month.

Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Attends and participates in department and church staff meetings and staff worship services.
• Participates in, and provides staffing for, select congregational events or worship services as required of all church staff.
• Attends and participates in worship services (when available).

Minimum Qualifications

• Belief in the healing power of Jesus and ability to model that for children and families.
• Alignment with the mission, vision, and values of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
• Bachelor’s degree, with studies in children’s/youth ministry, education, child development, social work, counseling, theology, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience working with children in a congregational ministry setting in a program leadership role (within a medium or large church setting preferred) or other related setting.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic first aid and CPR training (or within 90 days of employment).
• Minnesota driver’s license (or within 60 days of employment).

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of the Christian faith and Lutheran theology, beliefs, and practices.
• Ability to discuss matters of faith with children, youth, families, supervisor, volunteers, and church staff.
• Knowledge of children’s physical, social, cognitive, and spiritual development and current trends in children’s faith formation.
• Skill in curriculum development and lesson planning, including for children’s Christian education.
• Skill in planning and coordinating large events.
• Skill in recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers.
• Skill in large group public speaking and group facilitation.
• Working knowledge of digital media, including producing, recording, and editing videos and engaging with social media.
• Music leadership skills desirable.
• Oral and written communication skills, sufficient to exchange information effectively with families, volunteers, supervisor, and work colleagues.
• Ability to manage administrative tasks, including correspondence, event planning, time management, and budget management.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, Microsoft Publisher, Gmail, Google applications, and similar programs, sufficient to create, update and save a variety of documents.

Work Hours

Minimum of 40 hours per week, generally Sunday through Thursday, with evening, weekend, holiday, and overnight obligations as required of the position. Schedule is determined in conversation with the supervisor. Regular days off are Friday and Saturday. Sunday is typically a work day. Schedule adjustments may be needed based on church events. Availability on Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and Easter Sunday is required.

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Andrew's Lutheran Church does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Mahtomedi, MN 55115: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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