Youth Pastor - Grace Community Church (Worthington, MN) - LancasterSearch

Grace Community Church (Worthington, MN) – Youth Pastor

 

The Big Picture

Grace Community Church () is looking for an energetic leader to spearhead reaching, raising up, and releasing the next generation for God’s Kingdom through Grace Community Church. The Pastor of Youth & Young Adults will provide vision and leadership development as well as facilitate outreach and discipleship in order that students (7-12 grade) and young adults (18-28 y/o) in the Worthington area might know Christ, become like Him, and make Him known.

Requirements

The Church

Grace Community Church is a growing multi-ethnic church located in Worthington, MN, a thriving, diverse community in SW Minnesota. Our focus is helping people from all nations to know Christ, become like Him, and make Him known. We seek to do this through multiplying disciples, multiplying leaders, and multiplying churches. Our community of 15,000 people has the highest percentage of minorities (per capita) in the state of Minnesota; the world is at our door. We are a ministry context that is both rural and urban or “rurban” as we like to say. At Grace, we have an active Youth ministry of 7-12 grade students with attendance of 20-30 youth on a Sunday night. Most of our youth come from outreach into our community. We also have a growing number of young adults who are looking for ways to connect with Christ and be in community while the pursue college or start their career.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

1. Spiritually Mature:  A vibrant, mature, and growing relationship with Jesus Christ as demonstrated by a life that consistently reflects His character and priorities. A humble and teachable spirit, pursuing holiness. Feeds himself spiritually in order that he might feed others spiritually.  (Gal 5:16-24; 1 Tim 3:1-7; 1 Pet 5:1-5; Heb 5:14)
   
2. Biblically Sound:  Confident in the handling of God’s Word, with a deepening grasp of its truths. Able to communicate those truths clearly and compellingly with students, parents, young adults, and volunteers and apply it to their unique needs and challenges. In full agreement with EFCA Statement of Faith and willing to pursue EFCA credentials. (1 Tim 4:11-16; 2 Tim 2:15; Deut 6:4-9)
   
3. Gifted in Crossing Cultures: Given that we are a multicultural community and church, experience making disciples from a variety of ethnic groups is preferred. Gifted in connecting with and building connections between students/families from diverse cultures (Latino, African, Asian, and Caucasian). Understand and respect cultural differences to effectively communicate the gospel and make disciples across cultures. Bilingual is desired but not necessary. (1 Cor 9:19-23; Eph 3:6)
   
4. Passionately Committed:  A genuine love for people and making disciples of Jesus and a sense of divine calling to ministry. A passion for unbelievers to come to know Christ.  Driven to serve the Lord – joyfully, energetically, and faithfully. (2 Tim 1:5-7; Eph 4:11-12; Matt 28:19-20)
   
5. Relationally Inclined:  Connects easily and relates well to students, adults, and parents in the congregation and the community. Emotionally healthy and sensitive to the needs of others. Friendly, compassionate, tactful, helpful, and a team player. (Eph 4:15-16; Jas 1:19; Prov 20:5)
   
6. A Gifted Leader:  Able to inspire, give clear direction, mobilize a team, organize resources, and execute a plan. Seeks to develop other leaders and is a servant leader who leads by example. (2 Tim 2:2; Matt 20:25-28: Eph 4:11-12)
   
7. Education/Experience: Prior youth ministry experience preferred. Able to demonstrate a strong background in biblical knowledge, disciple-making, teaching, and outreach.  We would prefer a bachelor’s degree or comparable training in Biblical studies. All training and experience will be considered.
   

EXPECTATIONS

 

1. Disciple-making: Develop disciple-making ministries specific to students and young adults that balances winning them to Christ, deepening their faith, and equipping them to reach and disciple their peers and the world for Christ.
   
2. Team Leadership: Recruit and train teams of disciple-makers for the youth and young adult ministries who will assist with planning and leadership of these ministries and who will disciple youth and young adults to become disciple-makers through small groups, retreats and one-on-one.
   
3. Teach the Word: Oversee and practice a teaching approach that emphasizes the authority of God’s Word and helps youth and young adults develop a Biblical worldview with application of Scripture to daily life.
   
4. Shepherding: Shepherd youth at Grace, providing them with spiritual care and counsel, while implementing a comprehensive plan to connect with and disciple youth and young adults in the schools and community.
   
5. Community Partnerships: Partner with Worthington area youth ministries in reaching our community for Christ. 
   
6. Preaching:  Preach at least 6 times per year and provide leadership in Senior Pastor’s absence.
   
7. Administration: Plan ahead and follow through. Communicate with parents, elders, volunteers, and staff effectively and in a timely manner. Coordinate with the church calendar and provide fiscal oversight of the Youth and Young Adult ministry budgets. Do all that is necessary to work faithfully and safely with those in our care.
   
8. Team Player: Support the vision and values of Grace. Be interwoven in the life of the body of Christ at Grace. Work closely with the Senior Pastor toward common goals. Be accountable to the Senior Pastor and Elders.
   

Benefits

Full-time (50 hrs/wk) Salary Package:

Base/Cash Salary: $55,000-70,000 

·      Variable based upon: experience, education, ordination, etc. 

Benefits:

·      Retirement contribution starting at 2%: 

·      Expense account (mileage, meals, phone): $200/mos = $2400/yr

·      Continuing Ed: $2000/yr

 

GCC Staff Employment Philosophy & Culture

Given the unique sacrifice and burden of ministry, it is our commitment to see our pastors and staff not only succeed at fulfilling their role, but also to provide a caring culture where they can grow and thrive personally and professionally. 

 

The Process

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these questions:

 

Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Youth Pastor at GCC?

 

Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Youth Pastor of GCC?

 

In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of GCC?

 

Please send your resume, the answers to these questions and a link to at least one online sermon to

PRIMARY ROLES: 1. FUNDRAISER The current budget for Barnabas Factor is in the range of $100,000. If a salary (or partial salary) is being attached to the position of Executive Director, then the budget would be raised accordingly. Current funds coming in are about 90% from individuals; 10% church mission budgets. Someone with strong church liaisons could certainly change that proportion. Under Individual giving, most giving (perhaps 80-85%) is done through direct contact and mailed appeal letters. Up to 15% comes from online solicitation (using Network For Good). Attempts are being made to up online giving percentages. The budget breaks down into these general categories: Bible Institutes—40%; Trips by Americans (or “All African” team)—close to 20%; Salaries for Directors of Africa and India, approximately 15%; Pastor Emergency Fund, and operating expenses in Africa and India—12%; Fundraising Expenses and American office expenses 13%. 2. VISIONARY The primary vision from God for this ministry was given to Tom Salter, and he has vision-cast it to others. The future Executive Director, with Board approval, would become the next “Visionary” with the capability of adding, subtracting, or modifying current efforts. With the overwhelming need to train International Pastors (one expert estimates that 95% of all “International Pastors” are UNDERTRAINED and most of them are virtually UTRAINED. The need is great enough to keep pursuing for the foreseeable future. 3. MANAGER (OVERSEER) In Africa, a tremendous leadership base is established, overseen by the African Director, Dr. Twagirumugabe Dominique. Obviously, Dr. Dominique is to be overseen and directed by the Executive Director. In India, our leader, Pastor Kempanna, is also overseen by the Executive Director. But the leadership base is much weaker and untrained in India. (It must be noted that Barnabas Factor has been in operation in Africa almost 10 years longer than in India). But more effort has to be extended in India than in Africa in terms of oversight. 4. Personal Trainer This is listed fourth, but it could be listed much higher. In India, utilizing Zoom, Tom Salter spends time five days a week training pastors. But with recruitment, and development of more Indian leaders, that could be phased out. In Africa, what used to be annual trips now are more likely, semi-annual in frequency. And honestly, with the strong leadership base, it could be virtually passed on (like a baton in a race) to African leaders. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: · At least an MA in Theology, Doctrine, or New (or Old) Testament · Established spiritual maturity—good character (I Timothy 3:2) · Some experience training pastors overseas · Must feel a “burden” if not a “Calling” to train pastors overseas · Some experience in raising funds to fulfill a budget · Age wise—be 67 or younger