Abiding Love Lutheran Church - Austin, Texas

Abiding Love Lutheran Church is a welcoming, inclusive community of faith serving the southwest
Austin, Texas, region since 1980. A member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), all we do is focused on one mission: Sharing God’s Love. To help fulfill this mission,

Abiding Love is seeking a Director to lead our ministry with children and youth.

Overview

• The Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries plans, coordinates and works hands-on in a continuum of programs for the spiritual formation of children and youth, from birth through the 12th grade. Working with ministry teams, sponsors, teachers and other volunteers, the Director is responsible for setting and accomplishing programmatic goals, calendaring, budgeting, communications and interfacing with congregational leadership.

• The Director’s work involves recruiting, training and support of volunteers, as well as cultivation of individual relationships through direct involvement with children, youth and parents. The Director takes a wholistic approach to the ministry area, from developing curricula, to crafting age-appropriate events, to celebrating spiritual growth milestones (Baptism, First Bible, First Communion, Confirmation and graduations).

Where We Are

The spiritual growth of children and youth is centrally important at Abiding Love, as reflected in our

commitment of resources to this ministry. Our current program includes an array of ongoing weekly

activities across these age groups and some travel for periodic events, retreats and camps. We seek

a Director who will build on this solid foundation, working toward growth, improvement and

deepening engagement.

Where We’re Going

Children’s and Youth Ministries are dedicated to helping kids grow closer to one another, to their faith

community and to the world, all as a way of growing closer to the heart of God. Youth and children

will increasingly be active in worship life, service activities, Bible study and in our outreach ministries.

This will be characterized by:

• Programs and events inspiring wonder, promoting inclusivity, embracing Lutheran principles and engaging with youth and children in the questions and struggles of living their faith daily.

• A high percentage of our children and youth engaged in community life and learning.

• Our kids able to confidently engage with other kids, and to invite their participation in our ministries, regardless of faith background, sexual identity, race, ethnicity or family situation.

• All children and youth warmly welcomed and genuinely embraced.

• Our students advancing with progressively deeper knowledge of the Bible, the Christian faith,

• and Lutheran principles along with a commitment to lifelong learning and living out their faith.

How We Will Get There

The Director is a key member of staff, working with the congregation and congregational leadership

in a balance of visioning and planning, leadership of team and volunteer effort and hands-on work

with students of all ages. The Director’s role includes:

• Integrating children and youth into worship, learning and service with the congregation.

• Continuing and enhancing a Christian education and faith formation process beginning with Godly Play as its foundation and continuing through Confirmation and high school.

• Balancing attention and involvement across children, middle school/Confirmation and high school students and activities.

• Actively recruiting, training and equipping volunteers.

• Ensuring effective communication with families regarding the program, purpose, and activities for various ages.

• Spending time with all children and youth, forming individual relationships.

• Being a visible and welcoming presence at Sunday gatherings and other events.

• Being a bridge-builder between Abiding Love, outside organizations and the community atlarge, for the advancement of youth and children’s ministries.

The Successful Candidate

We anticipate that the successful candidate for this position will:

• Hold a bachelor's degree in a related field with three to five years of relevant experience.

• Possess working knowledge of child development, of youth culture and age-appropriate phases and relationships.

• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills, the use of office technology and social media.

• Have experience with Godly Play, preferably in a leadership role, and in leading Confirmation.

• Possess a deep understanding of the Christian faith and its Lutheran expression.

• Support the mission and social beliefs and practices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org)

• Desire to integrate fully into the life and ministries of Abiding Love, including worship, spiritual growth and outreach.

Compensation and Benefits

The Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries is a full-time staff position, reporting to the Pastor,

with a salary of $40,000 annually, plus contributions to health insurance, retirement, life and

disability insurance, and continuing education, along with paid vacation and sick leave.

Please forward resume and credentials to: info@abidinglove.org

Subject Line: Children’s and Youth