Children's Ministry Pastor
We’re currently looking for someone who will give leadership to Surf City, our children's ministry for Watermark. Surf City currently includes approximately 40 kids, birth through fourth grade each week. The Children’s Pastor plays a critical and highly visible role at Watermark Church and has a passion to see kids know and follow Jesus. The Children’s Ministry Pastor is responsible for all areas of programming, relationship building, volunteer recruitment, training, safety, and systems to ensure families and their children are equipped to follow Jesus on Mission.
Watermark in West Michigan
Watermark launched in 2003 to join God in helping people find Jesus, find a faith family, and find a mission. We currently have around 250 worshiping with us in two Sunday morning gatherings. Our heart, as we continue to grow, is to reproduce extended families on mission, seeing God's kingdom expand while raising up missionaries and leaders. Watermark is a part of The Wesleyan Church.
We’re located in beautiful Grand Haven, a beach vacation getaway on Lake Michigan in the summer and winter wonderland in the winter. It’s a smaller suburban area situated between Muskegon and Holland with an easy 45 minute drive to Grand Rapids.
Essential Responsibilities
- Identify, develop, equip, empower, and lead the Surf City volunteer staff, birth through 4 th grade.
- Be a visible support to parents and families.
- Lead training and programming for parenting events and key milestones, i.e. baby dedication, baptism, transition to middle school.
- Bring alignment, focus and clear strategies to Surf City.
- Recruit, lead, and collaborate with the Surf City Team’s gifted and creative volunteers in selecting a solid Biblical curriculum consistent with the core values and theology of Watermark. This includes being a constant support to the Surf City Team.
- Continual evaluation of programming to ensure it aligns with the mission, values, and purposes of Surf City and Watermark Church.
- Effectively welcome new families and provide clear next steps for connection to the Watermark community.
- Facilitate regular communication with Surf City families including curriculum notes, events, and suggestions for continued growth.
- Address building needs, envision space, envision child-friendly aesthetics, and maintain security procedures to create an inviting, fun, and safe environment for growth and expansion to better serve the children of Watermark.
- Regularly participate in the life of Watermark Church to support the overall mission of the church, deepen connections with families and recruit volunteers.
Education & Experience
- A Bachelor's Degree in Children's Ministry or related fields, OR has several years of experience leading in a children's ministry in a local church.
- Experience working with children along with volunteers in a church or education setting.
- Experience with strategic planning, executing, managing, and growing a dynamic children’s ministry.
- Experience with building and developing volunteer teams who are equipped to run a weekly, thriving children’s ministry.
- Strong Christian faith and enthusiastic support of the mission and vision of Watermark Church and core values of Surf City.
- Experience working with children with special needs is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively with parents and children, including public speaking, written communication, and 1:1 interaction.
- Ability to be proactive in developing and maintaining relationships with families.
- Ability to mediate differences using conflict resolution tools.
- Able to work well with a variety of individuals, including staff, volunteers, parents, & children to achieve desired outcomes.
- Able to multi-task and prioritize projects.
- Able to fully embrace the mission and vision of Watermark.
- Ability to recruit, train, inspire, and encourage volunteer leaders.
- Self-starter, entrepreneur, vision-driven worker, with a strong work ethic.
- Able to receive feedback and make appropriate adjustments.
- Knowledge of and experience implementing various learning modalities.
- Ability to effectively manage children in a classroom context.
- Superior organizational skills.
Personal Characteristics
- Demonstrate a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ in all areas of life, including seeking to live a life on mission by passionately pursuing God and making disciples.
- Demonstrate a high level of integrity, guided by a sound set of ethical principles.
- Demonstrate ownership in the organization, possessing chemistry with the faith family of Watermark and staff.
- Humility and transparency that breeds authenticity.
- Willingness to model the values of Watermark: Dependency on the Spirit, Authenticity, Developing People, and Grow & Go Together.
- Innovative and energetic team player and team builder.
- Willing to focus on the good of the entire faith family and willing to inspire others to work together to achieve organizational health & excellence.
- Servant leadership and one who thrives on providing the necessary support for others to succeed.
- Energetic and enthusiastic, yet able to exude a calming influence when needed.
- Approachable and available to both staff and families as needed.
- High degree of relational and emotional intelligence as well as healthy boundaries.
- Embrace all generations and culture groups withing the church and community.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
If you believe God might be leading you towards this position, send your cover letter and resume to shawn@sentonmission.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!