Youth Ministries Associate

Overview

Position Summary:

Reports to:

Pastor to Youth and Their Families. Education

Qualification:

College Degree + 2–4 years of relevant experience preferred.

Work Schedule:

Full Time. Compensation: $40,000 + 100% employee medical benefits and pension options.

• Sr. High (8th-12th Grade):
  Faith formation including Sunday night UMYF style programming, Sunday School, developmentally appropriate service projects, and various pastoral care tasks. The youth program serves 35–50 students weekly with room to grow. A dynamic ministry that emphasizes creativity, innovation, discipleship, relationships, and authenticity.
• Sr. High Sunday School:
  Coordinating teachers, special guests, and 8th-12th grade students in growing their faith through Sunday morning programming.
• Midyouth Bible Study and Confirmation Host:
  Engage 5th-7th graders in a robust Bible Study rotation focusing on Bible literacy, basic Wesleyan theology, and preparation for confirmation. This Bible Study will be written and taught by the Youth Ministries Associate. The Youth Ministries Associate will also guide confirmation classes on Sunday afternoons when Midyouth Bible Study is not in session.
• Co-leadership of the PHUMC Church Basketball League with Minister to Youth and Families:
  Supporting a church league basketball program with a long history and a current revitalization effort, balancing tradition with new energy.

Position Style:
We are moving away from siloed ministry. The Associate of Youth Ministries at Pulaski Heights joins a larger team of 8–12 staff on “Lifespan” ministries and works on all-church events. The role emphasizes intergenerational relationships as a core purpose of ministry.

In addition, while there is some hierarchy, the youth ministry leadership is a team that collaborates on communication (one newsletter), large-scale fellowship events (for all 5th–12th graders), vision and branding of the youth ministry, and service projects. Responsibilities and Personal Attributes are aligned with the team and overseen by the Pastor to Youth and Families toward a seven-year faith formation continuum.

• Contribute to the creation of monthly youth ministry newsletters with the Minister to Youth and Families and the full-time administrator.
• Coordinate with Communications on large-scale announcements and social media posts.
• Communicate with 8th–12th grade parents and students about events and ministry needs via email, text, PHUMC app, and mailings.
• Prepare calendars for the school year and summer 6–10 months in advance.
• Use staff meetings and church calendar software to communicate youth programming needs.
• Tell the story of the Sr. High ministry to reflect God’s work among our youth.

• Adhere to the church’s Safe Gatherings policy.
• Foster welcoming, loving, and inclusive environments.
• Build relationships with parents and volunteers as a minister and supporter alongside the youth we serve.
• If possible, participate in community activities where students are involved.
• Provide age-appropriate pastoral care for students facing trauma, grief, or adolescence challenges.
• Cultivate creative intergenerational engagement within the ministry setting.

• Strong commitment to discipleship as the core purpose of the ministry.
• Coordinate Confirmation teachers, students, and parents through the confirmation process.
• Plan and lead annual retreats for phyouth.
• Write and execute Sunday night programming for phyouth.
• Integrate discipleship into Sunday youth programming.
• Encourage participation in United Methodist connections and Arkansas Annual Conference Youth Events.
• Partner with the Youth Worship Coordinator to integrate worship into programming and retreats.
• Help students practice discipleship skills: prayer, Bible reading, worship, and service.

• Facilitate and empower youth leadership to influence topics, themes, games, and service projects.
• Encourage visible youth leadership in worship and ministry activities.
• Attend Perkins School of Youth Ministry or other continuing education annually.
• Identify and empower students with…