Children's Ministry Collaborative Team

This team of leaders will collaborate together to lead children's ministry in pursuit of RAC's values. Together, they will be responsible for selecting and preparing curriculum, recruiting volunteers for children's ministry and creating schedules for their involvement, maintaining children's spaces, and creating seasonal children's ministry events. Each member would be committed for at least one year, with the option to continue their involvement past that point.

About Rainier Avenue Free Methodist Church

Rainier Avenue Church is a vibrant and multicultural Free Methodist congregation, located for over a century in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of Seattle, WA. Three core ideas illustrate our calling and identity: ethnic diversity, geographic location, and Christian faith.

Description

Responsibilities (distributed between three team members):

Children's Ministry

1. Lead and manage volunteer teams Sunday mornings for Nursery, Toddler, and Preschool and Elementary (K, 1-2, 3-5th grade) ministries

• Recruit, schedule and remind volunteers as needed
• Leadership on Sunday mornings to support volunteer teams
• Volunteer care, management, and training
• Work with Executive Administrator to ensure all volunteers are screened according to Abuse Prevention Policy
• Follow up on any issues that come up on Sundays (manage check-in/paging systems, adjustments to care for kids/families, etc)

2. Create and/or select curricula that teach children the basics of Christian faith in keeping with RAC's understanding of our biblical calling and commitment to justice and reconciliation; collaborate with parents, staff and other ministries/partners on curriculum selection/development.

• Organize curriculum prep team at beginning of the month to ensure lessons are ready for teachers
• Ensure prepared lessons are ready for volunteers each week
• Provide lessons to lead teachers via online platforms and/or print lessons available in classrooms
• Train volunteer teachers on effective use of curriculum, answer questions as needed from volunteers about lessons and materials

3. Foster intergenerational relationships and worship experiences for children through occasional special participation in elements of the adult service, volunteer recruitment, and other creative strategies.

4. Partner with the Youth Director and Connections Pastor to equip parents as primary disciplers of their children, providing parents regular opportunities to receive training and instruction at RAC.

Neighborhood Outreach Ministry

Develop vision for outreach consistent with RAC's values in partnership with Lead Pastor

Collaborate with lay leaders and parents to create outreach to children and families (seasonal events, partnership with schools, etc) that mobilizes our church to serve our neighborhood consistent with our church's values.

Work collaboratively with the Justice & Spirituality Ministries Director on outreach ministry initiatives as appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

Plan, propose and manage annual budget for children's ministries

Record, track and update all necessary information (attendance, demographic data, etc.) in the church's database.

Plan for children's ministry/care and/or integration during all-church events -- annual meeting, all-church retreat, etc.

Maintain supply room and supplies in children's ministry rooms.

Ensure that rooms and spaces are prepared for all children's ministry programming and/or events and respect building/ room use policies.

Organizational Relationships:

Reports directly to the Executive Administrator and Lead Pastor.

Meet as a team monthly to coordinate responsibilities, maintain regular communication to make sure ministry is running smoothly.

Work collaboratively with church staff as needed to complete tasks.

Participate in quarterly development/training with all staff team.

Cultivate healthy and supportive relationships with children's ministry volunteers and with members of RAC congregation.

Qualifications:

Strong ability to shepherd volunteers, children and families

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage details

Christian maturity and a continued nurturing of a personal relationship with Jesus.

Experience working cross-culturally and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and racial reconciliation as biblical values.

Ability to work well with others in a team environment.

Requirements:

Must pass a background check.

Must be part of the church for at least 6 months.

Knowledge or willingness to develop a competency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Google apps, Church Community Builder, and email for coordinating ministry.

Active participation in the life of the church is assumed.

Must be able to work some Sunday mornings during church services to support volunteer teams, flexible schedule during the week to prepare for Sunday ministry.

Specifics:

These three positions on the team are offered for a 1-year term with option to renew, paid hourly for a commitment of 5-10 hours/week.

No benefits available, but flexible schedule offered.

Employment with Rainier Avenue…