Youth Pastor Role Description

 

Gordon Baptist Church is an intercultural and intergenerational church, learning together what it means to live with Jesus as King.  We are not afraid of doing things differently and challenging our ideas as they intersect at the cross of Christ.  This connects us with our local community as we join with God in his work in the world.

We’re a growing church with five Sunday gatherings (in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese), in addition to family, youth, pre-school, seniors, and language-learning ministries throughout the week.  Our facilities are within walking distance of Gordon Station.

We are seeking an additional member for our pastoral team who will help us to continue maturing in our shared discipleship with their focus on Youth.

 

Purpose and General Description

The youth pastor works as part of our team as we disciple young people by ministering to them and helping them minster to one another.  It connects with our service to children, young adults, and families.  It looks outside the existing church family to engage the wider community.

This role is budgeted to support someone working full-time.  However, a part-time appointment of no less than three days per week would be considered.  Working on Fridays and Sundays is essential.

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The primary duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead Sunday Youth program which runs as part of our 9:00am All Together gathering, and Friday night Youth program which runs during school term. This involves building teams of volunteer leaders, overseeing curriculum aligned with church-wide teaching, and leading the teams

  • Coordinate our Kids’ Life program which runs alongside 10.30am adult gatherings.

  • If full-time, provide mid-week SRE in local school(s), one day per week, including preparation time

  • Linking with existing GBC child and young adult ministries to assist transitions and integration

  • Follow-up and care for youth and families as appropriate

  • Creative development of new initiatives to connect with youth and their families within and beyond our current church community e.g. camps, fun-days, seminars, courses

  • Ensuring the church complies with all youth-related Safe Church requirements.

Requirements for the Role

  • Committed disciple of Jesus

  • Ability to teach, pastor and organise age-appropriate activities and programs

  • Possess a heart for, and skill to engage, people not currently part of our church

  • Strong teamwork, team-building and communication skills

  • Friendly presence, able to discern and exercise appropriate discretion and privacy

  • Theology aligned with GBC’s mission, vision and values

  • Willingness to become an active church member

  • Adherence to all Safe Church, legal and insurance requirements

  • Holds a valid entitlement to work in Australia

  • Holds a satisfactory National Police Check and a current Working With Children Check clearance.

This role will suit someone with the following strengths and skills

  • Leadership

    • Teamwork and team building

    • Identification, support and growth of leaders

    • Ability to teach

    • Understanding of the needs of youth

  • Organisation

    • Administration, rostering, planning of ministry and events

    • Communication (verbal and written) which is clear and engaging

    • Strategy, evaluation and implementation for effective programs

  • Pastoral care

    • Inter-personal relational skills

    • Dealing with family issues and conflicts

    • Responding to needs with sensitivity

  • Navigating cultural differences with nuance

  • Creativity and problem solving.

 

Desirable skills and experience

  • Qualifications or experience in youth ministry or education or pastoral support

  • Multi-lingual capacity (Mandarin or Cantonese) is an advantage but not required.

Accountability

General Accountability

The Youth pastor works in harmony with the rest of the pastoral team and church leadership, reporting directly to the Senior Pastor and Diaconate. 

All staff members’ responsibilities, conduct and/or authority are managed through a Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers and (if needed) the church’s Complaints Procedure.

Work Health and Safety & Regulatory Requirements

All staff members are responsible for ensuring adherence to the policies of the Church, including being held accountable for their actions and omissions where it affects their own or another person’s workplace safety, or breaches any other regulatory requirement.

Professional Dialogue

It is expected that all church staff undertake an annual discussion of their performance.  This is used for encouragement, direction, and development of both pastor and church. 

 

How to Apply

Email applications to the Senior Pastor, John Merchant, with a CV and covering letter responding to the essential requirements above.

Email:    john.merchant@gordonbaptist.org.au

Mob:      0425 350 615