Children & Youth Minister

TITLE: Children and Youth Minister

REPORTS TO: Senior Pastor

STATUS: Full-time

About First Grace United Methodist Church, New Orleans:

First Grace United Methodist Church (FGUMC) is a diverse congregation committed to the deep joy of the Gospel and is known for our worship and social justice efforts in our city. We are a post-Katrina merger of a historical Black church and a historical white church. Over our 17-year history, First Grace has cultivated a vibrant and evolving ministry with children and youth. Our commitment to nurturing young people in faith and community has given rise to a range of meaningful programs including Children’s and Youth Sunday School, Children’s and Youth Choirs, Vacation Bible School, UMC conference-wdie retreats and participation in UMC National Youth gatherings strengthening their connections in the wider church. Our Sunday School program is a semester rotation of Bible-based curriculum and Our Whole Lives (OWL) Curriculum.

Children and youth at First Grace are encouraged to lead and participate actively in worship as well as through original Christmas plays they write and direct, or our Confirmation process designed to foster and deepen their self-reflection and commitment to faith. First Grace is proud of its strong foundation in children and youth ministry—and excited to grow that legacy into the future.

Ministry Position Summary:

The opportunity of a lifetime for someone seeking to lead children and youth ministry. We desire to continue to build a strong educational ministry for our children, youth and their families that is rooted in the Gospel. FGUMC is seeking a visionary and relational Children and Youth Minister. This spiritual leader will design and lead creative, high-quality programming that nurtures faith development and builds meaningful relationships with children, youth, and their families. The ideal candidate will be a connector, mentor, and enthusiastic presence—someone who brings fresh ideas, spiritual depth, and genuine care for all generations. We seek and are eager to engage a relational, creative, energetic leader and person of faith to serve as our Children and Youth Minister.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• • Lead and oversee ministries for children and youth (birth–12th grade)
  • Plan, lead and manage all Children and Youth Ministry Programs including Sunday School, Weekly Programming, Children’s and Youth Choirs, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Retreats etc.
  • To Love and affirm children and youth. To listen to their stories, remember them and include them.
  • To continue to develop programming for the formation of children and youth rooted in the gospel values of Jesus through Sunday school, mission, retreats, music and engagement in the city.
  • Create a welcoming, nurturing environment that supports faith formation and fun.
  • Be a creative force. We have an established ministry. What might we do differently? Where might you take us?
  • Participate in outreach ministries by reaching out to families and youth who have visited.
  • Foster a safe space for spiritual growth, leadership development, and honest conversations.
  • Recruit, supervise, and steward volunteer Sunday school teachers and paid nursery workers equipping them to lead with confidence and compassion.
  • Implement (and at times design) curricular materials when applicable that contribute to student learning, growth, and advancement, in cooperation with the pastor.
  • Communicate regularly with parents to support at-home discipleship.
  • Build intentional, trust-based relationships with children, youth, and their parents.
  • Be a visionary leader who inspires and implements dynamic programs that reflect the real lives and needs of today’s families.
  • Collaborate with church staff and lay leadership to integrate children and youth into the full life of the church.
  • It is important to note that our definition of family is wide and inclusive of LGBTQ families.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• • Develop engaging, intergenerational experiences for families and the community at large
  • Communicate effectively with students, parents, volunteer teachers and Church staff, including the ability to discuss topics which may be sensitive.
  • Facilitate problem-solving, with a curious, positive approach.
  • Stay attuned to cultural shifts and best practices in ministry to continuously innovate and adapt programs.

Qualifications:

• • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience or certification
  • Equivalent Experience can include: experience as an educator and teaching, a leader in a church and/or working effectively with children and youth
  • A vibrant, personal Christian faith
  • Knowledge of Our Whole Life (OWL) Curriculum is not essential but a plus.
  • Ability to lead a Children and Youth choir is not essential but a plus
  • Have a joy of ministering to children, youth and families.
  • Gifted in relationship-building, mentoring, and spiritual leadership.
  • Be familiar with church educational models and curriculums for various age groups, and ready to adapt or design based on need.
  • Ability to organize tasks and manage time to meet deadlines.
  • Desire and ability to work with students and families with diverse backgrounds and levels of ability
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to provide guidance to volunteer teachers in Sunday school
  • Some knowledge of progressive Christian theology
  • Creative thinker with the ability to plan and implement exciting events, retreats, and programming
  • Must pass background check

Physical Demands:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• • Stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • Lifting/pushing/pulling and carrying products weighing up to 20 pounds

A background check is required.

Compensation & Benefits:

Base Salary: $52,000 – $56,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Benefits: Health insurance plan and 401(k) retirement contributions

Three (3) weeks of paid vacation annually at appropriate times during the year

This ministry role requires flexibility and is not a traditional 9-to-5 position.

Evening, weekend hours and holidays are expected, with the understanding that scheduling allows for balance and time for rest.

Why Join Us?

At First Grace you’ll find a congregation ready to support and walk alongside its children and youth ministries. We believe in shared ministry, value intergenerational relationships, and are committed to raising up the next generation of faithful disciples. First Grace is a vibrant and welcoming congregation with actively engaged parents and congregational members. We are ready to meet your passion for helping young people grow in their relationship with God, others and self, develop leadership and relational skills, and experience the love and belonging of the church community. You will not be doing it alone. We have strong congregational support, and established nursery workers. We want you to be successful.

To Apply:

To receive full consideration, please follow our directions:

Submit via email: 1, letter of interest, 2. resume and 3. three references to

Pastor Shawn Moses Anglim at FGchildrenYouthSearch@firstgraceumc.org

By July 1st, 2025