Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries Charlottesville First UMC

The Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries leads the faith formation of the congregation’s youngest members and their families. The focus of this position is children’s and youth ministry, from nursery through 12th grade, including Sunday School, the worship service children’s message, Vacation Bible School, nursery operations, Tweens activities, and family engagement. The position also holds overall responsibility for youth ministry, grades 6 through 12, including weekly programming, youth Sunday School, youth events, service projects, confirmation class, and family engagement.

When a Connectional Ministry Intern is assigned to Children or Youth Ministry, the Director may delegate day-to-day programming and relational presence to the intern while providing direct supervision. The Director retains ultimate responsibility for planning, family communication, volunteer oversight, and program quality. All delegated duties revert fully to the Director when the intern position is vacant or reassigned.

The Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries reports directly to the Director of Engagement and Discipleship and is accountable to the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC). This position supervises nursery staff, children’s ministry volunteers, youth ministry volunteers, and the Connectional Ministry Intern when assigned. The Pastor and SPRC set the intern’s annual focus area and provide vocational formation; this position directs the intern’s day-to-day ministry work, schedule, and program planning.

• A strong Christian faith with a clear commitment to promoting inclusion in ministry settings.
• Proven knowledge and experience in children’s and/or youth ministry, including age-appropriate curriculum selection, classroom leadership, and family engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to listen to, communicate with, and care for children, youth, and their parents or guardians.
• Ability to recruit, train, support, and retain volunteers.
• Team player with a positive attitude and the ability to listen, communicate, and work effectively with laity and staff.
• Self-starter with drive, initiative, and excellent organizational skills.
• An advocate for inclusionary practices for children, youth, and their families.
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet ministry needs, including Sunday mornings and regular evening and weekend events.
• Openness to innovative approaches to children’s and youth ministries.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities and foster creativity in others.
• Willingness to complete and maintain Safer Sanctuaries training and a satisfactory background check.

Children’s Ministry

• Serves as the primary staff leader for children’s ministry, developing a relational, personal ministry with children from nursery through 5th grade and with their families.
• Coordinates and supervises nursery staff and volunteers, acting as the primary point of contact for Sunday school volunteers and managing nursery supplies and worship materials.
• Oversees children’s Sunday School and the children’s message during worship, including selecting curriculum, maintaining materials, and coordinating and equipping volunteer leaders.
• Designs, implements, and manages children’s ministry programs and events, including family lunches, seasonal events, and Vacation Bible School, recruiting and deploying laity to assist.
• Consults with the First United Methodist Preschool (FUMP) Board and collaborates with the Preschool Director to engage and include preschool families in churchwide events.
• Creates age-appropriate service, mission, and community building opportunities for children and their families.
• Ensures smooth transitions between ministry areas from nursery through 12th grade, with particular…