Shepherds Community United Methodist Church

Youth Director

Position Description

Position Summary

The Youth Director will advocate for, disciple, and support the youth of Shepherds Community United Methodist Church and the larger Lakeland community in order to develop and coordinate a healthy, welcoming, Christ-centered youth ministry.

For the purposes of this role, “youth” refers to students in grades 6–12 and/or ages 11–18.

This position is responsible for helping students experience the love, light, and hope of Jesus Christ through worship, discipleship, service, fellowship, mentoring, and spiritual growth.

The Youth Director will work collaboratively with the pastor, volunteers, families, and church leadership to create a ministry culture rooted in kindness, mutual respect, inclusion, clear communication, spiritual growth, and safe ministry practices.

This position may support youth ministry efforts at any campus of Shepherds Community United Methodist Church.

Because this is a part-time position, the church values healthy ministry boundaries, sustainable scheduling, and clear communication regarding workload and expectations.

Mission Alignment

Shepherds Community United Methodist Church exists so that:

With God’s help, we will embrace and connect with all people and together experience the love, light, and hope of Jesus Christ.

The Youth Director is expected to support and embody this mission in all ministry relationships, communication, leadership, and programming.

Our church tagline is:

It’s better when you’re here.

The Youth Director should help create a ministry environment where students, families, volunteers, and guests genuinely experience belonging, care, spiritual encouragement, and connection.

Employment Classification

Part-Time Hourly Lay Employee

This is a lay employee position and not a clergy position.

In The United Methodist Church, titles such as “Pastor” are reserved for licensed, commissioned, or ordained persons. This role will therefore be referred to as “Youth Director” or “Director.” This distinction is intended to honor the different roles within the church while affirming the importance and value of lay leadership in ministry.

Supervision and Accountability

The Youth Director reports directly to the Senior Pastor.

The Youth Director will also work collaboratively with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, church staff, Youth Council, volunteers, and ministry leaders as appropriate.

The position will receive ongoing feedback and support from the pastor, along with annual review through the church’s personnel process.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Ministry Leadership and Vision

Discern and help cast vision for the youth ministry in collaboration with the pastor, volunteers, students, and church leadership.

Develop and lead a youth ministry that aligns with the mission, values, theology, and ministry priorities of Shepherds Community United Methodist Church.

Create a welcoming and inclusive ministry environment for students of varying backgrounds, personalities, experiences, and levels of church involvement.

Build meaningful relationships with students, families, volunteers, and the broader church community.

Encourage students in their faith development, participation in worship, service, discipleship, and connection to the larger life of the church.

Volunteer Leadership

Recruit, train, support, and encourage adult volunteers in accordance with the church’s Child and Youth Protection Policy.

Ensure that all volunteers working with youth complete required screenings, background checks, training, and annual policy acknowledgments.

Foster a ministry culture rooted in kindness, mutual respect, teamwork, accountability, and healthy communication.

Work with volunteers to help create safe, engaging, spiritually meaningful gatherings and events.

Programming and Discipleship

Coordinate youth gatherings, Bible studies, fellowship opportunities, service opportunities, retreats, and special events in collaboration with volunteers and church leadership.

Select and maintain curriculum that aligns with the theological commitments and ministry goals of Shepherds Community United Methodist Church.

Encourage student leadership and participation within the ministry.

Collaborate with church staff and volunteers to communicate youth ministry events, needs, and opportunities effectively.

Communication and Administration

Maintain clear, timely, and healthy communication with students, parents, volunteers, staff, and church leadership.

Use Planning Center, Google Workspace, and approved church communication systems for ministry coordination and communication.

Follow all church policies related to communication, confidentiality, technology, social media, and child/youth protection.

Communicate proactively with the pastor regarding ministry needs, scheduling concerns, volunteer support needs, and workload capacity.

Workload and Ministry Sustainability

Because this is a part-time position, the Youth Director is expected to work within approved hours unless additional hours are approved in advance.

The Youth Director should communicate clearly and proactively when ministry expectations exceed approved hours.

The church values sustainable ministry practices and healthy Sabbath boundaries. Working seven days per week is not permitted.

Remote work is encouraged when appropriate for planning, communication, and administrative responsibilities.

Child and Youth Protection Expectations

The Youth Director must:

Fully support, follow, and advocate for the Child and Youth Protection Policy of Shepherds Community United Methodist Church.

Complete all required background checks, screenings, and annual trainings.

Ensure compliance with all child/youth protection expectations by volunteers and ministry participants.

Follow all mandatory reporting laws and church reporting procedures.

Model healthy boundaries, safe communication practices, and appropriate conduct with minors at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

A sincere and growing Christian faith.

A willingness to support the mission and theological commitments of The United Methodist Church.

Strong interpersonal and relational skills.

Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to work collaboratively with volunteers, families, staff, and students.

Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage time effectively.

Ability to lead and encourage students in age-appropriate ways.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Ability to utilize Planning Center, Google Workspace, and basic ministry technology tools.

Emotional maturity, professionalism, adaptability, and reliability.

A commitment to kindness, mutual respect, and healthy communication.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a dedicated Christian.

Must demonstrate support for and willingness to work within the theological framework of The United Methodist Church.

Experience volunteering or serving in youth ministry is preferred.

Experience teaching, mentoring, or leading students is required.

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Must successfully complete and maintain required background checks and Child/Youth Protection training.

Must demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and appropriate conduct both in person and online.

Must demonstrate a commitment to helping students experience the love, light, and hope of Jesus Christ.

Hours and Compensation

Compensation: $25 per hour

Maximum approved hours: 5 hours per week unless additional hours are approved in advance.

This is a part-time hourly position.

All hours worked must be accurately recorded.

Employees may not work “off the clock.”

Remote work is encouraged except where in-person presence is required for ministry gatherings, worship participation, meetings, or special events.

Physical and Other Requirements

The employee must possess the physical, emotional, developmental, and mental ability necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.

The employee must successfully complete and maintain all required background checks in accordance with church policy.

The employee must maintain reliable communication and transportation appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.

Revision and Review

This position description may be updated periodically by the pastor and Staff-Parish Relations Committee to reflect the evolving ministry needs of Shepherds Community United Methodist Church.