Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry (DCYM)

Trinity Presbyterian Church is an affirming progressive Christian community that welcomes people of different backgrounds, races, sexual and gender identities, and more. We have fun together on our Christian journey. Within the PC(USA) denomination, we are an Earth Care Congregation, https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations/, and a Mathew 25 congregation, https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/.

Beyond our denomination, we have a very active fellowship with both a local African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church with whom we share Sunday worship a number of times each year, and the Islamic Mosque in our community with whom we sponsor and host an annual Israel-Palestinian film festival, https://happeningnext.com/event/broken-lens-2023-eid3a09nl9a8s. We also make our building available to various community groups such as AA, Stepping Stones, which provides weekly activities for persons with dementia along with respite for caregivers, and Opening Doors International Services, https://www.odisinc.org/, which was founded by our church members and continues to have their offices in our building.

More specific to this Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry (DCYM) position, we are committed to the Christian nurture and growth of our children and youth.

Overall Job Description:

The primary focus of the DCYM position is on children and youth, fostering their faith formation, and providing an environment where questions are encouraged and doubts are respected as we help build their integration into the life, worship, and work of the church. The DCYM will work under the supervision of the pastor with guidance from the Christian Education Committee and oversight from the Personnel Committee. It is expected that the person filling this position will recruit and equip Trinity members and friends to help and guide children and youth as they grow in their faith. This position includes both directing children and youth activities and working with families of these children and youth to help them encourage their children in these faith formation activities.

The secondary focus of this position is on the general Christian Education programs of the church to help us line up what we do on a weekly basics with our mission. The DCYM will meet with the Christian Education Committee and, as time allows, provide ideas and resources for the adult Christian Education program. As a staff member of a small church, the DCYM may be periodically asked to contribute to other ministries of the congregation. The start date for this position could be very soon, early or mid-September 2023, but could also potentially be as late as December 2023.

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits:

This is a salaried position, with the expectation that the person should average 25 hours a week. Those hours must include Sunday mornings, with the remaining time split over Sunday afternoons or evenings and other days of the week. This Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry will be present at Youth Group gatherings. This person should also have some flexibility in their calendar to occasionally take part in camps, retreats, lock-ins, etc. Possible total compensation ranges from $35,000 to $55,000 per year depending upon education, experience, and other qualifications. Total compensation includes salary and the cost to the church of benefits. The DCYM is expected to grow professionally by seeking and participating in a variety of professional development activities. A part of the total compensation for the position (not less than $1,200 per year) will be allocated for reimbursement of professional development expenses.

This person would qualify to participate in the following benefit programs made available by the Presbyterian Church (USA):

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Pension plan
• Death and Disability Insurance

The costs for any of the above benefits may be allocated from total compensation and paid by the church.

A 403(b) plan without employer match is available.

The following benefits will also be provided by Trinity Presbyterian Church:

• Parental/Family leave
• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account

Job Requirements and Preferences:

The person filling this position should be rooted in Christ, open to trying new things, approachable, energetic, organized, self-directed, and with some theological education (formal or informal). This theological education should hopefully be within the context of a progressive Christian Community. Planning, delegation, and communication skills are key to this position.

Preference will be given to those with one or more of the following: experience in educational settings with children and youth, Presbyterian Church (USA) (PC-USA) background, and a higher education or graduate degree in Christian education or a related field.

Duties:

The DCYM will be responsible for coordinating children’s (birth through grade 5) and youth ministry (grades 6-12) and will also assist with adult Christian education. Primary duties include the following:

Volunteer Coordination

• Recruit teachers and leaders for all children’s and youth programming, including Sunday School classes for children and youth, Godly Play for young children during worship, youth group meetings on Sunday evenings, youth trips, and Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children.
• Conduct biennial criminal background checks (Intellicorp.com) and maintain accurate and current records for all those who work with children and youth.
• Train, support, and supervise all volunteers as necessary.

Planning and Curriculum

• Provide curriculum and resources for all children’s and youth programming and other faith activities for families.
• Develop youth and children ministry programs that include opportunities for worship, study, fellowship, and mission.
• Supervise the stewardship of church resources by making sure crafts and curriculum resources stay well-organized and that use areas of the building are cleaned after youth and children’s events.

Teaching and Leading

• Teach some children’s and youth classes and programming. Most teaching will be done by volunteers that the DCYM recruits and coordinates, but the DCYM will also plan to teach and lead some programming and regularly serve as a backup if necessary.
• Lead or coordinate others to lead special parts of the worship service related to children or youth. This includes the Word of God for Children, which happens every Sunday, and events such as youth-led and youth focused worship, presenting children for confirmation, giving Bibles to children and youth, and recognizing children and youth during worship at the beginning of the school year, graduation, and before or after events such as youth trips and VBS.
• Maintain personal relationships with children and youth. Work with children, youth, and their families to increase participation in all the above children and youth programs. Be diligent in contacting new church members who have children and youth and maintaining contact with all children, youth, and their parents to foster their relationships with the church. Greet visitors on Sunday mornings and help them become familiar with the locations and topics of Sunday School classes.
• Be informed and educated regarding current resources and trends in the fields of children’s ministry, youth ministry, and Christian education.

Administration

• Serve on, provide resources for, and assist the Christian Education Committee.
• Work with the Children’s Ministry Team (CMT) to plan and implement activities that focus on developing nurturing relationships between parents, children, and the larger Trinity community.
• Actively communicate with parents, youth, staff, and committee leaders in effective ways, including social media, so that schedules can be coordinated, and information can be shared.
• Work to provide for the needs of the nursery and supervise the paid nursery attendant.
• Advertise Grace Presbytery, Synod of the Sun, and PC(USA) General Assembly youth events. Secure adult sponsors and register youth and adult sponsors. Coordinate Prairie Valley Legacy Committee Scholarships.

For further information and to be put in contact with the search committee:

Please email a resume and a cover letter expressing your background and interest in the position to: Dr. Charles Guarnaccia, Moderator, Christian Education Committee, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2200 N Bell Ave, Denton, TX 76209, email: trinity@tpcdenton.org, phone 940-382-8815.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $35,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Denton, TX 76209: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person