Youth and Young Adults Pastor

Encounter Church of Palmyra (Palmyra, PA)

Published

Encounter Church of Palmyra has been given a unique role in the greater Palmyra, PA area. With a growing population, Encounter Church seeks to impact its community and the world with the transforming truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This will be accomplished through its mission: “Followers of Jesus Bringing His Love to Life.” As followers of Christ, we are transformed by the grace of Christ, called to live out the Gospel in our lives and families, and by doing this we are an example of the Gospel to the world.

Commitment

To devote energies and action to glorifying God, assisting in the implementation of the Mission, Strategy and Values of Encounter Church

  • Mission: Followers of Jesus Bringing His Love to Life
  • Strategy: Community ◈ Sunday Worship ◈ Growth ◈ Service ◈ Family
  • Values: Jesus Prioritized ◈ Growth Pursued ◈ People Empowered ◈ Generations Bridged ◈ Communities Transformed

To pray for Encounter Church—for staff, leaders, church family, and community

To assist in providing pastoral care to the congregation

To act in accordance with the Encounter Church bylaws and adhere to the Encounter Church Staff Ethics

Role

The role of the Sr. High Youth and Young Adult Pastor is to provide oversight to the Jr. High youth director (6th-8th grade) and lead the Sr High Youth Ministry (9th-12th grade) and Young Adult Ministry (high school graduates through age 30-ish). The Youth and Young Adults Pastor will spend a large amount of time recruiting, developing, releasing, and joining various leaders in bringing to love of Jesus to life in the greater Palmyra area AND discipling students in their walk with Jesus. The following is a summary of the focus areas:

All Staff

  • Personal / Spiritual Growth
  • Vision / Leadership
  • Discipleship/ Evangelism
  • BIC Involvement
  • Adapt (as needed)

Specific to this role

  • Sr. High Youth
  • Young Adults
  • Preaching and Teaching
  • Leadership Development
  • Community Integration

Areas of Focus

Personal and Spiritual Growth – Grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus

  • Spend time with God regularly in prayer and reading His Word
  • Spend time each month with God in personal retreat (1 day full-time)
  • (If applicable) Spend quality time with spouse, building into your marriage and family
  • Manage finances with integrity / good stewardship
  • Meet with Lead Pastor weekly for mentorship
  • Stretch Goals: Read 2 new books

Vision and Leadership – Provide strategic vision and planning for Youth Ministry while modeling servant leadership

  • Communicate with staff new ideas and ministry opportunities
  • Incorporate plans and ideas from staff, as appropriate
  • Dream about how we can bring Jesus love to life in the lives of the students and young people of the greater Palmyra area

Discipleship and Evangelism – Create a culture of discipleship and evangelism

  • Share the Gospel both within and outside of the Church
  • Do everything with a focus on Jesus

BIC Involvement – Remain aware and engaged in the BIC

  • Attend monthly BIC Youth Pastor’s Cluster for support/encouragement
  • Encourage Atlantic Conference attendance
  • Attend BIC-sponsored events
  • Stretch Goals: Attend Cluster once a month

Adapt (as needed) – Remain flexible to needs/opportunities

  • Perform additional activities, as necessary
  • Adapt to unforeseen needs and circumstances (e.g., pandemic)

Sr. High Youth – Serve as the primary leader and contact for all Sr. High ministries

  • Intentionally disciple students in their walk with Jesus
  • Invest quality time in weekly youth environments
  • Preparation of messages that are biblical, logical, Spirit-anointed, and in harmony with the church’s beliefs and doctrines
  • Incorporate many topics that are both pertinent and interesting to what youth are facing in culture
  • Pursue continuing education (e.g., reading [secular and faith-based]) on diverse topics applicable to ministry at Encounter Church
  • Create, maintain, and develop a team of volunteers to assist with the weekly youth environment in additional to various special events, retreats, and missions trips
  • Communicate information regularly and clearly with parents, church staff, and the church at large regarding upcoming events
  • Maintain yearly Youth budget
  • Ensure oversight and participation in various Sr. High retreats and missions trips
  • Incorporate ways for a smooth transition for 8th graders to join Sr. High
  • Collaborate with Jr. High youth director for combined youth events
  • Plan several annual service opportunities for the students

Young Adults – Serve as the primary leader and contact for all Young Adult ministries

  • Intentionally disciple young adults in their walk with Jesus
  • Identify and invest in leadership training with young adult volunteers
  • Allow and encourage volunteers to step into their ministry gifting: teaching, organization, encouragement, etc.
  • Creatively establish ways to integrate young adults into this ministry – both from the church family and from the community
  • Incorporate both fun community outreach opportunities and spiritual discipleship
  • Plan and organize young adult retreats as appropriate
  • Organize community service opportunities for the Young Adults
  • Maintain yearly Young Adult budget
  • Encourage ways for Young Adults to get plugged in and serve within the church

Preaching, Teaching, and Announcements – Assist in the planning and execution of the Weekend Celebrations

  • Attend Sunday morning services (exceptions include vacations, youth retreats, sickness, excused absences, etc.)
  • Be available to meet new students and families on Sunday mornings
  • MC on Sunday morning services on a regular basis
  • Preach on Sunday mornings occasionally
  • Be an active member of the Preaching Team and planning meetings

Leadership and Pastoral Development – Ensure that the pastoral care needs of the church family are being met

  • Participate in staff meetings and ministry planning sessions to develop your own leadership and ensure alignment with strategic planning/vision of the church
  • Pursue Pastoral licensure within the Brethren In Christ Church, Including temporary licensure, taking core courses, and eventual completion of doctrinal questionnaire
  • Oversee and provide leadership to the Jr. High youth Director
  • Attend conference events as able
  • Stretch goals: Attend Atlantic conference pastor and spouse retreat; pursue an older mentor; pursue a younger mentee

Community Engagement – Build relationships with students outside of a “church” environment

  • Connect with High School Principal/Superintendent to get into the High School during lunches to interact with the students
  • Encourage volunteers to get into the High School to interact with the students during lunch
  • As able, attend School events to get familiar with the community: sports games, track meets, plays, dances, etc.
  • Plan occasional youth events to incorporate students from the community
  • Stretch goals: Lunch in schools once a week

Reports to: Lead pastor

Supervises: Jr. high youth director

Work schedule: 40 hours/week

Applicants are asked to send a cover letter, three references, and resume to Ted Simmons, lead pastor, at Ted@encounterchurchofpalmyra.org.