Director of Youth Ministries - Decatur First United Methodist Church

Director of Youth Ministries - Decatur First United Methodist Church

7/7/2026

Decatur First United Methodist Church, located in the heart of downtown Decatur, Georgia, seeks a full‑time Director of Youth Ministries. The Director provides creative, caring, and theologically grounded leadership for the spiritual formation and growth of the youth of Decatur First UMC.

The Director oversees youth programming, education, pastoral care, retreats, and service ministries, and partners closely with clergy, staff, parents, and lay leadership to nurture youth and their families in the Christian faith. The Director works directly with the Associate Pastor and supervises youth interns, ministry assistants, and volunteer counselors. Decatur First UMC is an open and inclusive congregation and a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network.

• Organize and implement curriculum and programming for Youth Sunday School, Sunday evening Youth Group, and Wednesday evening programming during the school year.
• Coordinate weekly youth gatherings during the summer.
• Maintain weekly email communication with parents and guardians.
• Support the Youth Choir Director and work toward a cohesive program that encourages youth participation in both youth group and choir.
• Provide one‑time and seasonal events for youth and parents as needed throughout the year.
• Regularly convene the parent council and youth council for input, guidance, and support.

• Teach Sunday School and facilitate Sunday night youth group.
• Partner with appointed clergy to design and lead Confirmation and Our Whole Lives.
• Teach, organize, and recruit teachers and mentors for the annual Confirmation curriculum.
• Partner with the Director of Adult Discipleship to provide resources for parents.

• In coordination with appointed clergy, provide pastoral care to the congregation, serving as first responder to youth and youth families while remaining available to assist all congregants.
• Participate in weekly worship services as needed and offer input and ideas.
• Organize and support youth in leading worship, including Youth Sunday.
• Stay up to date on Safe Sanctuary policies and work with the Director of Children’s Ministries to recruit and train volunteers.

• Organize and implement fall retreat(s), a spring spiritual life retreat, and a Confirmation retreat annually.
• Organize the summer youth mission trip (Appalachia Service Project) and service projects throughout the school year.

• Recruit and manage Youth Ministry Intern(s), Youth Ministry Assistants, and volunteer youth counselors.
• Communicate with, mentor, manage, and delegate appropriately to the Youth Intern.
• Recruit, train, and support parents and volunteers in the youth ministry of DFUMC, with particular attention to growing parent involvement.

• Support parent engagement through parent dinners and occasional programming.
• Organize, maintain, and communicate a yearly calendar for parents to easily access.
• Communicate when necessary via Remind or other appropriate means.

• Provide opportunities for youth to raise funds for service and youth ministry as needed.
• Incorporate fundraising into event and retreat planning and budgeting.

• Undergraduate degree required;
  Master of Divinity, theological studies, and/or youth ministry training preferred.
• Strong Wesleyan theology and the ability to recognize and implement theologically and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Experience in youth ministry; counseling of youth and parents preferred.
• Demonstrated experience organizing and executing retreats.
• Strong organizational, volunteer recruitment, and time management skills.
• Trained in Safe Sanctuaries (or willing to complete training).
• A creative, flexible, initiating, and caring disposition, with a proven professional demeanor among youth and parents.
• Enthusiasm for collaborative, team‑based ministry that supports the spiritual growth and health of youth and their families.

Contact:
Rev. Dalton Rushing