Westwood United Methodist Church
Director of Children’s and Family Ministry
Job Description
The Director of Children’s and Family Ministry is a quarter-time (10 hours/week), salaried position with primary responsibility for the programs for children ages 4 years old through 5th grade and their families. This position should embrace and help fulfill the vision of Westwood to “Offer Christ, Grow in Faith, Touch Lives, and Make a Difference.”
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the children’s ministry of Westwood UMC is currently restarting. The right person will lead the ministry into the post-pandemic world with fresh vision and ideas for serving the children and families of the church. This is an opportunity for building a new ministry from the ground up.
Responsibilities:
The current focus of this ministry is Sunday mornings, with Christian education by age group between services, a children’s gathering time of approximately 20-25 minutes during the second service sermon, and the Children’s Moment during the second service. The Director will be responsible for choosing curriculum, preparing the lessons, recruiting and training teachers and other volunteers, and overseeing the spaces and resources needed for these programs.
In addition to Sunday morning responsibilities, the Director plans, staffs, and implements occasional family events, both for the families and for the whole church body, to encourage intergenerational fellowship. Regular communication with families and volunteers is important for updates on activities and needs.
The Director will oversee an annual budget for this ministry, assure maintenance and care of all necessary supplies and equipment, and be responsible for recommending resources needed.
The Director should plan to regularly attend the monthly Church Council meeting. There will also be occasional Children’s Ministry Team meetings and periodic meetings with the church staff. The Director will be an advocate at all times for children and their programs, and will encourage their involvement in many aspects of congregational life.
Requirements:
This position requires a person with a love for Christ, passion for children’s spiritual growth, and a grounding in child development. Experience in providing children’s ministry in church settings is preferred. The Director will have belief in and knowledge of United Methodist theology, or be willing to learn and work within that theology. The Director will also have effective and current skills for communicating with families, and be well-versed in using a variety of ministry tools. A positive, team spirit and a love for children and all things “fun” goes a long way!
Westwood UMC strives for organizational health and a team mentality throughout the staff. The Director of Children’s and Family Ministry will work alongside the Lead Pastor, the Director of Student Ministries, and the Children’s Ministry Team. The Director will be accountable to both the Lead Pastor and the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
Compensation:
This position requires 10 hours per week. Much of the preparation work can be done at home. The salary will be $12,000-$14,000 per year, depending on experience. As the position develops and the program grows, there is potential for increased hours and a corresponding increase in salary.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resumé to info@westwood-umc.org, call/text Pastor Sean Kidd at (616) 401-8576, or DM Sean on Instagram at revseankidd.