Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry

Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry

Christ Congregational Church and Silver Spring United Methodist Church

The Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry (DCYM) will oversee all youth activities for our churches’ combined youth group. The DCYM will provide a safe environment where youth can develop friendships and trust among each other, and will shepherd our youth’s spiritual development through experiential learning. Christ Congregational Church (CCC) has sold it’s building and is re-establishing itself as a church in the community and for the community, while worshipping in the Silver Spring United Methodist Church (SSUMC) Building. SSUMC is looking to grow and strengthen its youth program. During this time of transition and growth for both churches, the Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry is a key position in keeping youth and families connected to their faiths and their congregations.

Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry Responsibilities:

• Develop programming for spiritual formation and work with youth and Senior/Lead Pastors at both churches to plan and lead regular church school, youth group meetings on Sunday evenings and other opportunities, focusing on spiritual development through engaging activities, discussion, and direct service in the community.
• Locate welcoming community spaces for youth group meetings and activities.
• Assist with recruitment and coordination of adult volunteers for cooperative youth ministry programs and the “Our Whole Lives” curriculum (OWL).
• Become trained and participate as an OWL instructor, as appropriate.
• Explore, initiate, and lead at least one weekend retreat during the school year and one week-long summer mission trip per year.
• Advocate for youth among congregational leaders.
• Be a visible participant and develop relationships within the wider church communities.
• Attend at least three Sunday morning worship services per month between the 2 congregations, as jointly agreed upon by the congregations
• Participate in youth ministry professional development as opportunities are presented.
• Effectively manage administrative tasks including communication, calendar planning, volunteer recruitment, discipleship/mentoring, and financial oversight of youth budget and funds.
• Create a community-based, open and affirming youth movement that is student-led and involves outreach to other congregations and the wider Silver Spring community. Ensure this Christian faith based movement is culturally affirming, explicitly welcoming youth of color and those exploring diverse sexual and gender identities.

Key Values in our Cooperative Youth Ministry:

• Developing faith, hope, love, and friendship among young people.
• Inclusivity and support of youth and families of all races, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
• Fellowship and recreation.
• Provision for “multiple intelligences” in activities and worship.
• Connection of Gospel and faith to social justice and service projects.
• Intentional personal experience with spiritual practices.
• Integration of youth with all aspects of church life.
• Building intergenerational opportunities for worship and mission.
• Innovation, flexibility, and creativity.

Qualifications for Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry Position:

• A minimum of two years’ experience working with teens (middle and high school students, ages 12-18).
• Knowledge of youth emotional and spiritual development and best practices of youth ministry.
• Demonstrate ability to motivate, educate, and develop young people in spiritual matters.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in administrative tasks.
• Ability to connect youth at the intersections of one’s own faith, the church, and the larger community.
• An entrepreneurial spirit to foster partnerships with other congregations and the wider Silver Spring area.

Supervision:

The Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry position reports to and is supervised by the Senior/Lead Pastors of CCC and SSUMC.

• Periodic meetings to review programs and share progress and concerns are required
• Performance evaluations occur annually, with quarterly interval reviews at the discretion of the Senior/Lead Pastors.
• Probationary period of 6 months, during which the DCYM can be terminated at will, and at which point there will be an evaluation
• The Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry position requires a mandatory background check as a condition of employment, and every three years thereafter
• The Director of Cooperative Youth Ministry shall agree to abide by sexual misconduct prevention policies at both churches.