Cross Winds United Methodist Church is seeking a half-time Director of Youth Ministries (DYM). The DYM will lead a dynamic and comprehensive, Christ-centered, congregational involved program for students in sixth to twelfth grade and their families; build a relationship with each youth and their families; teach, guide, and minister to the students and their families on how to love God, love each other, and love the world -- growing them into disciples of Christ. Download job description PDF file To apply for the position, please send a cover letter and resume to:  or contact the main office at 763.494.9463.

Director of Youth Ministry Job Description

Cross Winds United Methodist Church (CWUMC) 
Director of Youth Ministry (DYM) Job Description

Youth Ministry Vision
We strive to actively and purposefully prepare youth to develop a personal faith and connection with
God through:

1. Exploring God's wisdom
2. Allowing God's grace into their hearts
3. Connecting with each other through fellowship
4. Reaching out and serving others.

Collaborative Ministry

As a member of the staff, the DYM reports to the Lead Pastor and works collaboratively with the CWUMC staff, Youth Team (a group composed of parents and students that guides and oversees the direction and content of the youth ministry programs), and volunteers.

The DYM will meet regularly with the CWUMC staff and will lead meetings of the Youth Team.

The DYM position is a salaried, half-time position (20 hours/week) including Sunday morning worship times, Wednesday evening sessions (tied to school year) and 2-4 other experiences each month.

Job Purpose

The DYM will:
• Lead a dynamic and comprehensive, Christ-centered, congregational involved program for students in sixth to twelfth grade and their families.
• Build a relationship with each youth and their families.
• Teach, guide, and minister to the students and their families on how to love God, love each other, and love the world -- growing them into Disciples of Christ.

Job Qualifications

The DYM will possess the following characteristics and qualifications:
• Christian Faith and respect for the United Methodist tradition: The DYM should model personal faith, spiritual maturity, and integrity - nurtured by worship, Bible study, serving others and prayer.
• Passion for Youth: The DYM wants and enjoys working with and encouraging youth with the ability to relate to them in both a fun filled setting as well as a serious setting.
• Team Builder: The DYM has experience in team building; with the ability to continually expand the use of a team of volunteers to ensure the needs of the youth, their families, and the ministries are being met.
• Servant-Leader: The DYM has experience building a program that engages students in the Youth and CWUMC ministries, developing student leaders, organizing, and managing service projects, as well as integrating theological issues into youth programming.
• Relational to Adults: The DYM has a demonstrated ability to work positively and energetically in a mid-sized, faith-based organization; and a commitment to working in a team staff environment.
• Planner and Communicator: The DYM has strong planning and organizational skills and uses demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to ensure the youth, their families, and the volunteers are clear in the direction and expectations of everyone involved in the Youth program.
• Experience with Youth: Previous experience in Youth Ministry or related field.
• Fund Raiser: Experience at fund-raising in a non-profit or church setting.

Job Accountabilities

ADMINISTRATION
• Facilitate and lead meetings of the Youth Team including recruitment of members and mentoring student members in leadership skills and supporting members in their tasks.
• Enrich congregational connections and develop deeper volunteer pool
• Work collaboratively with staff and lay leaders for cooperative programs
• Maintain Youth Ministry files describing programs, activities, curriculum for each youth ministry, and the information necessary to communicate to all youth, families, and volunteers.
• Collect emergency contact information and registrations for general use and event-specific use for youth participants.

COMMUNICATION
• Create and distribute a Youth Newsletter and weekly eNews announcements.
• Oversee Youth Ministry related pages on the church website, including programs and event information.
• Maintain regular contact with students and families through digital media, postal mail, email, text messaging and phone calls.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers to work in all aspects of youth ministry including Confirmation Small Group leaders, Teachers, Confirmation Mentors and High School Youth Group leaders.
• Initiate background checks for all persons working with children in the Youth Ministry Program and follow-up for acceptable results.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
• Design, implement, and oversee the Youth Ministry program for students in the 6-12 grade
• Research and review curriculum for Education, Confirmation, Middle and High School Youth Group and other areas of Christian Ed that relate to youth ministry.
• Teach classes and/or equip volunteers to lead Middle and High School Youth Groups.
• Lead and oversee a Middle and High School youth ministry program including regular gatherings which includes mid-week, Sunday mornings, and other monthly gatherings.
• Plan and lead retreats/lock-ins and summer trips for both Middle and High School youth working with Youth Team and its sub-teams.
• Promote all youth ministry and youth-related Christian Education events and offerings using personal contact and various means of publicity.

SERVING
• Plan and lead age appropriate summer mission opportunities for both Middle and High School youth working with Youth Team and its sub-teams.
• Incorporate service projects/opportunities into both Middle and High School youth education/fellowship/events working with Youth Team and its sub-teams.

WORSHIP
• Assist in worship services, as needed
• Plan, recruit participants, and implement special Youth related worship services, including Youth Sundays, Graduation and Confirmation Sunday.

MENTOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND RELATIONAL CARE
• Serve as a youth mentor and confidante.
• Make regular contact with the youth and families who are participating members of programs.
• Contact youth and families who are not participating members of programs.
• Contact visitors and their families to introduce them to the youth programs.
• Provide emergency and relational care for all youth and their families.
• Establish and maintain personal relationships with members of these age groups and their families through participation in Youth Ministry activities including youth events, family events, church functions.

FINANCIAL
• Develop and oversight of an annual Youth Ministry budget
• Conduct fundraising events as necessary to support Youth Ministry service projects/opportunities.

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT
• Have primary responsibility for maintenance and scheduling the use of youth and church spaces.
• Cooperate with Trustees for maintenance needs and renovations.
• Acquire, maintain, and use equipment needed for the Youth Ministries' programs.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
• Engage in continual learning to stay abreast of current ideas about youth ministries by attending appropriate workshops, seminars, and conferences. Subject to approval by Lead Pastor.
• Meet with other area youth leaders, and other United Methodist area youth leaders.