Since our congregation’s launch in September 2016, we have nearly doubled in size, and we now have a great group of middle school students who are eager to start a youth group. In addition, we’ve made great connections with the students at the Brownsburg High School Equality Club (LGBTQIA support group) and we have the possibility to support the formation of an Equality Club at one of Brownsburg’s middle schools. We seek a Director of Youth Ministry who will develop and lead a program that invites every 6th-12th grade student in the church database and in our partner organizations to make steps toward deeper spiritual maturity by building a youth ministry that brings alive the mission and values of our church.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The director will:

• Plan and develop a bi-weekly Sunday morning Christian formation offering and a bi-weekly weeknight youth group that engages a progressively growing number of middle and high school students in regular participation. As part of this work, the Director will establish baseline numbers of participating youth at the beginning of her/his ministry and then track program participation on a weekly basis.
• We expect that the youth minister will regularly be building relationships in the community. The first opportunity will be to build a strong relationship and ministry of presence with the students Brownsburg High School Equality Club (LGBTQIA support group) by attending their weekly meetings and by engaging a team of adult volunteers from Good Samaritan to accompany and support you. When appropriate, invite Equality Club members to participate in Youth Group activities, and vice versa.
• Recruit and develop a youth ministry leadership team (consisting of 2-3 adults) that helps to guide and oversee the ministry.
• Recruit and develop 3 adult volunteers who initially co-lead formation offerings and youth group with her/him for 12 months, and then assume responsibility for leading these offerings within a 24 month window.
• Ensure that Safeguarding God’s Children training has been completed by all leaders and volunteers, and that Safeguarding standards are in effect for all gatherings and interactions.
• Know the names of every youth and parent on our rolls.
• Follow up with first-time visitors personally within one week of their visit.
• Contact inactive youth or parents by email or phone for a pastoral check-in at least once per quarter.
• Visit our students at their schools (currently: Wayne Township, Brownsburg, and Avon schools) on a rotating schedule at least once every other week during the school year, and invite volunteer leaders to accompany her/him on those visits.
• Develop and distribute control documents in a timely fashion (the youth directory, the youth ministry calendar, calendar requests, event and trip registration forms, etc.).
• Communicate regularly with parents, via email and in person, inviting their concerns and suggestions.
• Coordinate with Good Samaritan’s outreach ministry leaders to engage youth in church-wide service projects.
• Coordinate with and promote participation in diocesan youth events and summer Waycross camp programs.
• Make connections with other youth ministers in Brownsburg/Avon, as appropriate.
• Participate in twice monthly supervision with the Vicar.

CORE COMPETENCIES NEEDED

• Good judgement, mature outlook.
• Ability to have fun!
• Recruitment and equipping of leaders and volunteers.
• Programmatic leadership, organizational, planning, and development experience.
• Delegating and administrative abilities.
• Relates well with teens and their families

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a bold, inclusive, extroverted enthusiastic follower of Jesus Christ.
• Commitment to a “church without walls” concept (radically inclusive, not focused on a building but on people and serving others)
• Passion for building a community of diverse people at different places on the Christian journey.
• Capable of maintaining confidences, effectively listening, and resolving conflicts.
• Able to work well both independently and in teams.
• Demonstrated experience in leading groups of young people in conversations about God and experiences of faith development.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Must pass a criminal background check and Oxford Documents screening.
• Must satisfactorily complete Safeguarding God’s People and Safeguarding God’s Children online courses prior to beginning work.

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis are very committed to diversity. We strongly encourage all qualified applicants, especially people from racial/ethnic minority groups, to apply.

To apply, send your resume and a cover letter to The Rev. Dr. Gray Lesesne before August 15.