Kids Pastor in Suffolk

Are you passionate about seeing children encounter Jesus? Is God calling you to lead our thriving ministry to 0-11s and their families, and help make River Kids the highlight of their weeks?

Role Profile

• Department: Rising Generations
• Reports to: Senior Leaders
• Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ
• Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.
• Start date: As soon as possible
• Working days/hours: Full-time
• Rate of pay: Enquire for salary details
• Travel: May be required on occasion
• Other expectations: While the role will usually be Sunday to Thursday, the role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church—praying at prayer meetings, serving on team, giving financially, and growing as part of a Hangout.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee River Church’s mission and ministry to Kids (0-11s) and their families, leading significant growth in number and depth of discipleship.
• Lead, pastor, co-ordinate, train, and grow the River Kids Team.
• Oversee, plan and lead kids-focussed aspects of Sunday services, working to expand capacity and grow numbers of children and families involved.
• Plan and lead midweek groups, activities, courses, and events aimed at children and families, such as Baby Love (our group for parents, babies, and toddlers), the Parenting Course, and other future groups (including a new service for kids and families).
• Lead kids ministry within local primary schools and nurseries, such as taking assemblies, leading after-school or lunch clubs, RE lessons and similar activities, as opportunities arise, building on existing contacts and developing new partnerships.
• Make contact and build relationships with unchurched and de-churched kids and families in Ipswich, and lead them on a pathway of discipleship, equipping the Kids Team to do the same.
• Inviting parents and carers to Alpha and creating opportunities to run Alphas suitable for this demographic (i.e., through providing childcare or at strategic times and locations).
• Collaborate with the Social Transformation department where their work serves children and young families, to build their connection with River Church.
• Train, mentor, and prepare members of the Kids Team to ensure the provision of excellent kids worship, mission, and ministry, and to release team members into leadership where appropriate.
• Work with Senior Leaders and other ministry staff to plan events, meetings, and services.
• Manage the kids department budget.
• Manage and mentor Kids Team River College Students (interns), releasing them into appropriate levels of leadership.
• Lead and contribute to Alpha, Staff Meeting, Department Meetings, Prayer Meeting, Hangouts, Focus, and Sunday Services (including some preaching and/or teaching).
• Collaborate with the Communications and Media Manager to curate River Kids social media channels.
• Work with the Student Pastor to assist in River Church’s ministry to young people (11-18), and to ensure a smooth transition from River Kids to River Youth.
• Ensure that kids team volunteers are recruited safely, following the safer recruitment policy, and that all regulatory requirements regarding safeguarding and health and safety are met, attending training as required.
• Manage DBS checks and safeguarding training across River Church, working closely with the Safeguarding Officer.
• Ad hoc tasks and other project work which enhances the ministry and mission of River Church.

Personal Specification

• Personal qualities and beliefs: Has a mature, personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations. Committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church, and passionate about seeing people coming to know Jesus in Ipswich. Has a passion for reaching children with the gospel and to seeing them grow into all that God has created them to be in Christ. Has the capacity to provide spiritual leadership within the kids team and to contribute to the spiritual direction of the wider church. Is theologically astute.
• Personal skills and abilities: Has the ability to teach, train and develop kids team volunteers. Excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others. Excellent organisational skills and time management. Self-motivated. Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect with children. Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal. High attention to detail and high production values. Can manage a departmental budget. Flexible, with a can-do attitude. Teachable, has a desire to learn and grow, and is willing to undergo any necessary training. Understands the importance of confidentiality and has good self-awareness. Has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour.
• Knowledge, qualifications, and experience: Has experience in leading services, prayer, and worship for kids. Outstanding ability to communicate Christian teaching to kids. Confidence ministering in the Holy Spirit. Thorough understanding of statutory Child Protection/Safeguarding requirements. It is desirable that the role holder: Has relevant degree-level qualifications connected to children, education, and/or theology. Is experienced in and/or has the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and ChurchSuite. Has an eye for design and aesthetics. Is able to use digital technology and social media to contribute to kids ministry. Is able to preach to and teach adults, as well as children. Has other skills which could contribute to the wider life and ministry of River Church.

Notes for Applicants

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email matt.key@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room. There is no specified closing date for applications for this role. We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience. We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview within 5 full working days of applications closing. Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ. Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview. Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church. When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page. River Church is a thriving HTB Network resource church based in the centre of Ipswich, Suffolk.