Church Pastor for Youth - (Minister of Religion) in Surrey

We’re looking for someone to build missionally on the existing foundations of our youth project which has been running for around 8 years. You will be an important part of an innovative youth project, with opportunities for vibrant missional outreach, making use of our excellent facilities including a fully equipped youth centre. Building on our excellent relationships with local primary and secondary schools you will have the opportunity to engage with hundreds of children and young people each week.

Overall responsibility of the job: Duties will vary from week to week, but essentially responsibilities will include the following:

• Oversee all areas of ministry to the rising generation (0-18 year olds) within the church and local community, including holding the overall vision of vibrant missional outreach, making innovative use of our excellent facilities.
• Manage and support our youth team including Pais Apprentices, Ministry Exchange Scheme students and volunteers.
• Engage with local secondary and primary schools through assemblies, Youth Alpha sessions and pastoral visits, building on strong existing relationships.
• Oversee the rising generation budget and engage with the fundraising team to seek funding opportunities to enable an excellent youth provision.
• Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested by the Rector.

General Duties:

• Find and initiate innovative ways of engaging with children, young people and their families both within the local community and those already engaged with church.
• Work with the Rector, PCC and rising generation team in growing the St Peter’s vision and strategy for reaching children and young people in our local community and helping them grow as followers of Jesus.
• Plan and run a range of different activities and projects for children and young people in the St Peter’s Community and Youth Hub.
• Use Churchsuite to maintain accurate records of children and young people who participate in youth activities.
• Work with our Activate and Scripture Union Sports Minister to integrate sports and activities into the rising generation programme.

Schools Work:

• Building on our excellent relationships with local schools, visit local primary and secondary schools regularly and lead acts of worship within them, liaising with the Rector and the schools directly.
• Lead lunchtime and/or after school activities in schools, including expanding the use of our bespoke Youth Alpha materials.
• Assist in providing chaplaincy as requested within the local schools and seek opportunities to grow mission.
• Work collaboratively with the Children’s and Youth Team, including Pais Apprentices and Guildford Diocese Ministry Exchange Scheme team members when applicable.

Safeguarding:

• Oversee the Children’s and Youth Ministry in a way that follows National Safeguarding Guidelines.
• Respond effectively and appropriately to any safeguarding concerns, as they arise, following the safeguarding protocol.
• Build and maintain consistent appropriate relationships with children and young people in person.

Our Christian culture: We believe that prayer and discernment are fundamental to St Peter’s achieving its mission of restoring relationships and transforming lives. As a staff member you are expected to:

• Actively seek to build positive relationships within the staff team and with the local community.
• Attend meetings involving prayer and worship.
• Be committed to SPWM’s Mission, Values and Beliefs and to be actively working and living in accordance with our Christian beliefs.
• Maintain your own spiritual development, discover your gifts/callings and grow in discipleship.
• Live out Christian values as you represent SPWM externally.

Training and Development: As a church we are committed to the appropriate development of every team member. Funding will be provided for appropriate training and development.

Application Details: This role carries a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) that the successful applicant is a committed Christian and part of the church family.

Person Specification:

• Leadership qualities with the ability to manage a team and work with volunteer leaders.
• Clear and effective communicator with people of varying ages and in particular children, young people and parents.
• Ability to work missionally within the local community.
• Ability to develop creative ideas for engaging with children and young people.
• Developed organisational skills.
• The ability to work using own initiative when required, as well as to work with a team.
• Good pastoral skills with the ability to relate easily and sensitively to a wide range of different people.
• Ability to show resilience and robustness when dealing with challenges and maintain a positive attitude to problem solving.
• Ability to troubleshoot in high pressure situations.
• Computer literate and able to engage with new technologies.
• Ability to work in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England.

Personal attributes:

• A vibrant faith and love of Jesus which you are excited about sharing.
• Reliability.
• Flexibility.
• Willingness to receive feedback and seek to learn from it.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Ability to deal sensitively with confidential information.