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Job Description, Pastor for Youth

• Reporting to the Pastor for Preaching & Vision
• Full-time 

Role Description

Under the aid and authority of the Holy Spirit and in partnership with the Pastoral Team, the Pastor for Youth serves the church by spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ for the joy of the next generations by providing leadership for ministry to youth at Bethlehem in the hope that they will ...

• grow in Christ and in spiritual maturity
• be firmly established in faith and doctrine
• discover, develop, and fruitfully use their gifts
• passionately embrace and pursue a God-centered vision for their lives
• meaningfully engage in worship, study, prayer, and ministry
• apply a robust and biblical vision for manhood and womanhood
• live courageously in the world even under pressure to conform
• thoughtfully and effectively engage the culture for the sake of the Gospel
• become men and women who are devoted to spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ

Responsibilities

Middle School and High School Youth Ministry (75%):

1. Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for ministry to Middle School & High School youth in line with Bethlehem’s mission and the vision cast by the elders.
2. Diligently uphold Bethlehem’s Child Protection Policy.
   1. Assist the Pastor for Children & Family Discipleship and the Council of Elders in ensuring that our child protection policies and procedures are up-to-date and develop a culture of careful safeguarding and protection of the children (including youth) entrusted to our care and oversight. Take initiative by recommending updates to or reviews of the policies when needed.
   2. Ensure that anyone working with students goes through proper vetting and has proper orientation and training according to youth department or church policies and guidelines.
3. Further develop and equip the volunteer leadership team, leading them in the effective instruction and discipleship of the youth.
4. Develop a ministry culture where young people across all ranges of spiritual development are welcomed, encouraged, and challenged.
5. Encourage and provide opportunities for youth to grow in personal evangelism.
6. In addition to Wednesday and Sunday programming, host other regular gatherings—such as camps, retreats, and other events— that facilitate discipleship and the deepening of Christ-centered relationships among the youth.
7. Work with other pastors and ministry leaders to ensure that youth have ample opportunities to engage in worship, study, prayer, and outreach.
8. Partner with families in shepherding the youth as they transition from childhood into young adulthood, making every effort to foster consistent and open communication between the youth and their families
9. Partner with the Pastoral Team on baptism and membership processes for youth.
10. Complement and support the greater ministry efforts throughout the church.

Other Pastoral Duties (20%):

1. Provide pastoral care to Bethlehem members through counseling, prayer, teaching, visitation, leading membership classes, and the officiation of weddings and funerals.
2. Participate in the leadership of worship services, preaching, and the administration of church ordinances (communion and baptism) as requested.
3. Bethlehem College and Seminary: Each pastor will be assigned one or more seminarians to mentor.
4. The Pastor will carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the church from time to time.

Supervisory Responsibilities (5%):

1. Direct Reports:
   1. Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to Ministry and Administrative Assistants.
2. Supervisor Responsibilities:
   1. Participates in interviewing, hiring, and training employees.
   2. Participates in job description creation.
   3. Ensures ministry responsibilities are fulfilled.
   4. Approves short-term ministry objectives.
   5. Conducts annual performance evaluations and provides regular performance feedback.
   6. Facilitates conflict resolution.
   7. Approves paid time-off requests.
   8. Ensures appropriate balance between the various ministries.

Qualifications

Godly Character

1. Meet the spiritual, personal, and character qualifications of an elder found in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9 and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23.
2. Model servant leadership and exhibit a helpful, joyful attitude.
3. Be a man of prayer and a man of the Word, sensitive to what the Spirit is saying to Bethlehem, devoting himself to daily prayer and Bible reading for the sake of guarding himself from sin and stirring up his heart and mind to renewed passion for Christ; he will lead his family in regular times in the Word and prayer; and he will gladly participate in mutual care and accountability with other believers.
4. Seek to undertake his duties in the power of the Holy Spirit, undergirded with prayer, guided by the Scriptures, and manifesting the character of Christ for the glory of God.

Church Member

5. Be a member in good standing of Bethlehem Baptist Church or, if not a member when called to the church, become a member as soon as possible, ideally completing the membership process within three (3) months of the date that employment begins.
6. While ensuring first loyalty is to God and the Word, support the leadership of the church generally and specifically for his area of ministry. Strive to maintain positive and fruitful relationships with other Bethlehem employees, members, and leaders. While concerns or differences of opinion may arise, all employees will communicate in a biblical manner and abide by appropriate supervisory direction and any final determinations of the Council of Elders. Whether leading the congregation or submitting to those in authority, he will do so in a joyful manner. While visionary, he will have his ear to the ground and be a good listener.
7. Understand, endorse, and teach, without reservation, the church’s biblical and theological teaching as expressed in Bethlehem’s Elder Affirmation of Faith. He must embody Bethlehem DNA.
8. Joyfully minister in accord with Bethlehem’s Pastor’s Covenant, in a manner that honors Christ and is a positive example to others.
9. As outlined in Bethlehem’s Elder Affirmation of Faith, pastors must be male.

Organizational Skill and Awareness

10. Have the vision and organizational skills necessary to work effectively, creatively, and flexibly within the context of a large church with multiple staff members and ministries.
11. Strictly maintain appropriate confidentiality according to the guidelines set forth in Bethlehem’s Employee Handbook and Relational Commitments.
12. Sign our Employee Handbook Acknowledgement Form and comply with all applicable church policies.
13. Give servant-hearted support to specific area(s) of ministry as well as to the broader needs of Bethlehem’s ministry.

Self-Motivated and Dependable

14. Demonstrate a commitment to personal growth by attending appropriate training, development, and team-building events.
15. Have a good understanding of the people, projects, or ministry under his responsibility and demonstrate faithfulness and good follow-through both in collaboration with other ministry partners and in independent efforts related to his role.

Skilled Pastoral Leadership

16. Recognize volunteers as valuable co-laborers in ministry and will be proactive, prayerful, and persistent in recruiting for the role.
17. Possess pastoral gifting, particularly in ministry to parents and young people.

Requirements

1. Servant Leadership—the Pastor should be able to lead in a variety of contexts (individual, small groups, large groups) in such a way that Jesus Christ and his gospel are central. He should be a self-starter and take initiative. He should be wise and discerning and know when to be decisive, sensitive, tender, and firm.
2. Relational—the Pastor should have a heart to care for people. That drive should manifest itself in the appropriate use of time.
3. Administrative—while seeking mainly to shepherd people, the Pastor should have the skill set and ability to effectively manage the various administrative tasks associated with the position.
4. Teaching/Equipping—the Pastor should be a fruitful, biblical teacher and champion of Bethlehem’s mission and vision. His teaching should effectively “equip the saints for the work of the ministry.”
5. Communication—the Pastor should be able to communicate clearly, concisely, and in a loving and biblical manner.
6. Peacemaking—the Pastor should be able to tactfully and winsomely unite people with varying perspectives to advance harmony and love, and to achieve common goals.
7. Preaching—the Pastor should be an effective preacher who is able to rightly handle the word of God and joyfully engage in expository exultation personally.