Youth and Family Worker

Youth and Family Worker

Mountsandel Christian Fellowship is a growing church with about 120 adult members, and about 40 children and young people of all ages. The fellowship meets in the Sandel Centre, a community centre which was built by the church and serves as the social hub and heart of the local neighbourhood.

The fellowship has a warm and informal atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on grace-filled relationships and community. We place a high value on caring for each other, every member involvement, servant leadership and team leadership, and honest Bible engagement. We are committed to reaching out in our local community with the message of Jesus and the love of Jesus, and we always want to learn to do that more effectively.

A full statement of our vision and values is available on our website www.mountsandelchristianfellowship.org.

AIMS OF THE JOB:

·  To develop the discipleship of children and young people within the church, helping them to encounter Jesus in a meaningful way which impacts every aspect of their daily lives, and engages them in the life and mission of the church.

·  To develop new and existing ways of serving children, young people and families in our local community, providing them with an opportunity to experience God’s love and encounter Jesus personally.

·  To inspire and engage members of the church in praying for and giving their time and energy to furthering the above aims.

JOB DETAILS:

Based in: The Sandel Centre, Knocklynn Road, Coleraine.

Responsible to: The church staff worker

Hours: 28 hours per week

Salary: £19,200

Starting date: 4th January 2016 (or as soon as possible after that date)

Length of post: 3 years (with possibility of extending subject to funding)

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership of Children’s and Youth Ministry

·  Shaping and directing the overall vision and strategy for children’s and youth ministries and outreach in MCF.

·  Providing oversight and support for existing ministries for children and young people.

Youth Discipleship

·  Providing pastoral care and mentoring (including identifying and training suitable mentors) to young people in the church.

·  Helping young people identify and develop their gifts and talents, and encouraging them to play an active role in the life of the Fellowship.

·  Developing and nurturing leadership potential in young people, providing them with good models, training, opportunities and support.

·  Establishing a youth fellowship as a context for effective discipleship.

Youth Outreach

·  Developing the existing Youth Club programme, including leading, growing and supporting the team of volunteer leaders.

·  Pioneering new strategies to further engage with young people in the local community.

Family Outreach

·  Developing a new weekly programme for primary age children which will serve families in the local community and build relationships with them as well as serving those in the church.

·  Organising events which serve local families, building on existing relationships and also reaching new families.

·  Leading a team of MCF members and other volunteers in planning and delivering a summer outreach programme based at the Sandel Centre.

Other

·  Working with the church staff worker on strategies for supporting, resourcing and caring for parents and families.

·  Exploring the possibility of sending an MCF summer mission team overseas, or to other parts of Ireland.

·  Attending monthly Church Leadership meetings.

·  Working to implement existing child protection guidelines and assisting the church in continuous improvement of these guidelines.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Essential Characteristics:

·  Friendly, approachable and someone young people can trust and confide in.

·  Organised and self-disciplined.

·  Passionate about young people finding faith and growing in it.

·  Demonstrating a committed and active Christian faith.

·  Committed to a prayerful approach to ministry, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

·  Deeply committed to and involved in the local church.

Essential Experience:

·  Experience of leading teams to deliver programmes in children’s or youth ministry.

·  Experience of youth and children’s work in a Christian context (2 years full-time, or 4 years voluntary with significant responsibility i.e. team or programme leader).

Desirable Experience

·  Experience of developing overall vision and strategy for youth and children’s ministries in a church or organisation.

Essential Skills

·  Able to relate well to and communicate effectively with children and young people.

·  Able to identify and nurture leadership potential and delegate responsibly.

·  Able to think and plan strategically.

·  Able to speak to small and large groups of people.

·  Able to organise events.

·  Able to lead teams of volunteers of different ages.

·  Able to effectively mentor and provide pastoral care of young people.

·  Able to think critically and reflectively about their work with children and young people, in light of Scripture and the gospel, and in light of our cultural context.

·  Possessing a full UK driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications

Youth work qualification, or similar qualification in working with children and young people.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To receive an application form, please email our church staff worker, John-Mark Mullan: .

Completed application forms should be returned (by post or in person) to the Sandel Centre by Tuesday 24th November 2015 at 5pm.