Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries | Columbia First UMC

Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries | Columbia First UMC

Columbia First UMC

Columbia First United Methodist Church Columbia, Tennessee

Columbia First United Methodist Church is a welcoming, growing congregation in Columbia, Tennessee, a vibrant community just south of Nashville. After navigating the disruption of a failed vote to disaffiliate, we have experienced a season of significant renewal, growing from an average attendance of 100 to over 160 in under two years. We are a church known for community impact and radical welcome, and we are building the infrastructure to match our momentum.

We are looking for a clergy colleague, not just a program director. Someone who will share in the pastoral life of this church while bringing focused energy to our ministry with children, youth, and their families.

The Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries provides pastoral leadership for children’s and youth ministries, serving as a clergy colleague to the Senior Pastor. This person will build and lead ministry programming for children (birth through 4th grade) and youth (5th through 12th grade), recruit and develop volunteer teams, and share in the broader pastoral responsibilities of the church including preaching, teaching, sacramental duties, and congregational care.

This is a pastoral role with a programmatic focus, not a program role with occasional pastoral duties. The right candidate will be as comfortable at a hospital bedside as they are leading a youth retreat.

Position Title: Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries Classification: Ordained/Provisional Deacon or Elder in The United Methodist Church Status: Full-Time, Exempt Reports To: Senior Pastor Supervises: Youth Core Team, Children’s Min. volunteers, Youth Min. volunteers, Nursery staff Collaborates With: Senior Pastor, Finance Director, Facilities Director, Associate Pastor of Care & Assimilation, Music Director, Weekday School Director & Board, S/PPRC

• Develop and lead weekly youth programming (Sunday and/or midweek)
• Design and implement bi-annual confirmation program
• Plan and execute retreats, mission trips, and special events
• Create a discipleship pathway that moves students from attendance to ownership of their faith
• Incorporate youth into the worshiping life of the whole congregation
• Build and lead a Youth Core Team (5–7 adults and 1–2 youth) who share leadership responsibility, including roster management, volunteer coordination, food, calendar, and forms/waivers
• Recruit, train, and support additional Youth Ministry volunteers
• Ensure all volunteers are trained in and compliant with Safe Sanctuaries policies
• Develop volunteer leaders who can sustain programming, not just attend it

Family & Parent Engagement

• Maintain regular communication with parents and families
• Create opportunities for parents to engage in their student’s faith formation
• Be a pastoral presence to families navigating the challenges of raising teenagers

Children’s ministry has current coverage through our Children’s Director, who is preparing for a planned transition. The Associate Pastor will initially partner with the Children’s Director and eventually assume primary oversight.

• Oversee Sunday School for preschool through 4th grade
• Oversee nursery operations including scheduling, training, and supplies
• Plan and lead Vacation Bible School and seasonal events (Easter, Christmas programs)
• Select age‑appropriate, theologically sound curriculum
• Coordinate children’s participation in worship (children’s sermons, acolytes, liturgists, etc.)
• Recruit, train, and support a Children’s Ministry Team of volunteers
• Ensure Safe Sanctuaries compliance across all children’s environments
• Maintain safe, welcoming, and engaging spaces for children

Weekday School Connection

• Serve as staff liaison to the Weekday School Board, keeping the Senior Pastor informed
• Partner with the Weekday School Director to connect WDS families with the life of the church
• Coordinate shared events and faith formation opportunities

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