Now Hiring: Kids Pastor
University Baptist Church (UBC) in Waco, Texas is seeking a 20-hour per week Kids Pastor who will provide thoughtful leadership to all areas of kids ministry (infant through 5th grade). This person will provide compassionate pastoral care and spiritual formation for kids, their families, and kids ministry volunteers through Sunday morning programming, special events, VBS, and kids camp. UBC’s contemporary worship model does not see a division between the sacred and the secular, and seeks to approach God through creative liturgies and artistic expressions. UBC is a medium-sized, inclusive church that is fully affirming of women in ministry and the LGBTQIA+ community. The Kids Pastor will report directly to the Lead Pastor. Applications will be accepted until May 31st, 2024.
Applicants can send their resume and cover letter to kidspastorsearch@ubcwaco.org.
Candidate Job Description
Job Summary
The Kids Pastor promotes UBC’s Mission by overseeing all areas of kids’ ministry and through their participation in church life and community. In collaboration with the pastoral staff, Leadership Team, and families of UBC, the Kids Pastor promotes the spiritual formation and education of our children to ensure that they experience the love and welcome of Jesus Christ in creative, engaging, and lasting ways. They will work to create meaningful opportunities for UBC families to grow, learn, and experience Christ together.
Job Responsibilities
The job responsibilities of the Kids Pastor break down into three main categories - Programming/Administration, Pastoral Care/Relationship Building, Staff Participation.
Sunday Mornings and Additional Events:
Plan and oversee all Sunday morning programming for children (infants to 5th Grade). This includes: Selecting age‐appropriate lessons that resonate with UBC’s core values, planning activities, and preparing any necessary resources (craft materials, readings, etc.).
Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise kids’ ministry volunteers. Provide ongoing equipping to ensure that volunteers are empowered and motivated to serve our children and families. Communicate with volunteers well-ahead of Sunday mornings regarding their lessons and rotation.
Integrate children into the broader UBC community. This includes: Working with full-time pastoral staff to incorporate kids in worship services, performing baby/child dedications, etc.
Participate in Sunday morning worship services when scheduled (call to worship, announcements, etc.).
Oversee the organization and care of the kids’ areas/classrooms.
Contact and welcome new families on a timely basis.
Ensure a secure and effective drop‐off and pick‐up process.
Provide or coordinate support for volunteers during Sunday morning kids ministry, and be available to assist volunteers in any way they may need during the services. Facilitate a safe, kind, respectful, inclusive environment for kids and volunteers.
Offer monthly events for children and families to experience Christ outside of the traditional Sunday morning format.
Make arrangements for summer camp and attend with UBC kids. Coordinate fundraising, transportation, meals, and additional considerations related to summer camp.
Plan and facilitate yearly VBS, coordinate and resource volunteers, register attendees, provide safe and compassionate learning environment for kids.
Pastoral Care and Relationship Building:
Partner with families in promoting their children’s spiritual formation. Communicate with families and invite their feedback, questions, and ideas regarding the ministry.
Foster relationships with families and with kids’ ministry volunteers.
In partnership with the full-time pastoral staff, support kids and families during life events, transitions, and loss.
Personally engage kids in compassionate and connecting ways.
Promote curiosity, wonder, and openness in the kids of UBC by modeling a faith that is personal and communal.
Staff Participation and Additional Expectations:
Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings.
Promote openness and values of consensus-building, responsibility, candor, and perspective-taking among the staff.
Create and maintain a yearly kids ministry budget.
Meet regularly with the lead pastor for care, visioning, resourcing, and transparent communication regarding the status of kids ministry.
Utilize effective organizational strategies to facilitate the administrative and collaborative components of the role related to open and timely communication (i.e. curriculum distribution, volunteer training, event planning, staff coordination).
Skills & (Minimum) Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
Previous experience working with children
Administration experience
Support and embodiment of UBC’s mission and values
Consistent and timely communication
Preferred Qualifications
Theological Training from an Accredited Seminary
Previous pastoral experience
Highly effective team management