Director of Children's Faith Formation

POSITION SUMMARY: The role of the Director for Childen’s Faith Formation for Grace UMC in Naperville, IL, is to lead and equip GraceKids Children’s Ministry for ages birth-5th grade. The GraceKids Director is creative, organized, passionate, energetic, and team-oriented. They love Jesus and desire to share that love with children and families. They will create strategies that align with Grace UMC’s mission to Gather in Christ, Grow in love for God and neighbor and Go into the world to share that love with others. The right person is warm, welcoming and approachable with an appreciation for diversity. They will partner with and equip parents in discipling their children to grow healthy families in faith.

POSITION TITLE:  Director of Children’s Faith Formation
POSITION SUMMARY:  The role of the Director for Childen’s Faith Formation for Grace UMC in Naperville, IL, is to lead and equip GraceKids Children’s Ministry for ages birth-5th grade. The GraceKids Director is creative, organized, passionate, energetic, and team-oriented. They love Jesus and desire to share that love with children and families. They will create strategies that align with Grace UMC’s mission to Gather in Christ, Grow in love for God and neighbor and Go into the world to share that love with others. The right person is warm, welcoming and approachable with an appreciation for diversity. They will partner with and equip parents in discipling their children to grow healthy families in faith.
JOB CLASSIFICATION:   Full Time           FSLA:     Exempt
POSITION REPORTS TO:  Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor
REPORTING TO THIS POSITION ARE:
Nursery Attendants, volunteer leaders, teachers
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Schedule, supervise and support Nursery Attendants, providing supplies,  resources  and direction as needed.
• Responsible for leading children’s ministry programming and overseeing adult volunteers.
• Select relevant curriculum for children, weekly lessons, small groups, props and games for Sunday School.
• Order programming supplies and manage Teacher’s Resource Room.
• Serve as staff liaison for Faith Formation Ministry, Parents’ Day Out (PDO) Board, Family/Children’s Council.
• Coordinate with Grace Open Doors Ministry director and parents for children with special needs.
• Recruit, train, support and empower teachers by providing training, resources, and special lesson plans when needed
• Participate in leading worship as needed: including Bible presentation Sunday, Children’s Sabbath, Children’s messages, Christmas Eve, Holy Week and other family worship opportunities.
• Organize special education ministry projects. Projects include Mission and Service programs for children and Lenten children’s activities. Helping with parenting sessions of Parents Day Out. Oversee/teach Human Sexuality program as needed.

• Lead or oversee the annual summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) program or develop alternative.  Recruit, train, and lead volunteer teachers and helpers. Administer VBS budget, supplies, facilities usage, and registration.
• Coordinate Education activities with other internal (Grace) activities and external (conference or community) activities. Attend other meetings and seminars as needed. Share resources with other churches.
• Provide outreach programming for children outside Grace.
• Expand and develop family events in cooperation with Youth Ministries Director as appropriate.
• Build relationship and involvement in community school districts.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain Children’s Grace Connect database and Sunday School attendance reports.
• Develop and submit the annual Children’s Ministry Budget
• Schedule rooms, coordinate events with the Communications Facilitator and staff, schedule fundraisers
• Communicate and partner with parents regularly.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• • A dedication to the church, promoting an environment of support and unity.
  • Experience required in family and children’s discipleship ministry. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
  • A passionate desire and demonstrated ability to disciple children and their families as Christ followers.
  • Familiar with and committed to Wesleyan theology.
  • An ability to network, lead, and build a team, while working as a team member with church staff, Church Council, and other groups.
  • Familiarity with social media and electronic communications, and overall strong communication skills.
  • Demonstrated organization and time management skills as well as the ability to handle multiple priorities at one time.
• Equipment Used:   Google and Microsoft Suite of software, zoom equipment, video, Canva a plus, Copiers and other equipment as needed.

Full-Time

Sr. and Assoc. Pastors