Student Ministry Pastor

General Profile RiverTree Jackson is an actively growing, highly contemporary Christian church with a non-denominational feel that is located in Northeast Ohio near Canton (home of the NFL Hall of Fame). RT Jackson is part of a larger network of 8 church locations in NE Ohio called RiverTree, which work together for genuine community transformation. As the largest of the locations, Jackson’s mission is to win hearts to Jesus one person at a time. Our broad strategy is to be both attractional and missional within an authentic and relational community. We seek to develop Christ-followers with a holistic approach to discipleship and grow leaders who can lead others to do the same. Our existing staff culture and chemistry are strong, with a focus on: trust, relational priority, holistic health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual), positive and fun, clear and consistent communication, creativity, collaboration, vision-forward thinking, strong leadership, and a passion for genuine relationship with Jesus where our doing flows from our being. RT Jackson is an ideal opportunity for new team members who are hungry to pursue a compelling vision, and eager to minister with a strong team of leaders who are committed to one another, the body of Christ, and being on mission with Jesus. Student Ministry Pastor Profile We believe that children and students are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. Our vision, passion, and invested resources prove this belief. The ideal candidate and their family will share this conviction and have proven and successful experience working in larger ministries with multiple team members. Our new student ministry pastor will join an existing student staff team consisting of: many core leadership volunteers, yearly interns, a PT student worship pastor, a PT administration and planning coordinator, and our existing FT student pastor. Over the course of 12-24 months, our new student pastor will take full responsibility for the vision, direction, and strategy of the entire student ministry (5th – 12th grade) and the building of their team. At that point, our existing student ministry pastor will transition to a different role in the broader discipleship efforts at Jackson.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Meet the scriptural requirements for church leadership (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1). Agree with our statement of beliefs, mission, vision, values, and strategy. Have an earned bachelor’s degree in a discipline of ministry. Have a minimum of 5 years of healthy, successful experience in student ministry. Proven skill in leadership, vision casting, communication, administration, creative teaching, strategic planning in short/long-term goal execution, volunteer equipping and coaching, and advanced skills connecting with families and building ministry that strengthens student spiritual development in the home. Experience in various forms of media and arts is preferred (social, environmental, sound, lighting, graphics and video, worship). While we are distinctly egalitarian in ministry, the candidate at this time will be a man (preferably married).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and execute weekly services (one middle school and one high school) that are creative, highly applicable, highly biblical in teaching that is focused on life change, and intentionally designed to reach both new and existing students as they grow deeper in relationship with Jesus and one another. Foster a discipleship paradigm that focuses on spiritual growth, mentoring, and ministry training. Plan and coordinate events, trips, and camps that further develop these priorities and work to actively engage with reaching new students for Christ. This will include building upon our current mission and outreach goals. Work closely with the existing student ministry team to execute all ministry objectives, including broad calendar planning, well-stewarded budgets, and the integration of the broader Jackson discipleship strategy. Identify, recruit, train, and equip a large volunteer contingent, and lead and shepherd future staff who may be part of the student ministry team. Work closely with our many community schools to develop a healthy relationship of service and encouragement, allowing us to serve them more directly and gain stronger access to students’ lives and families. Provide student and family counseling as necessary. Work closely with the children ministry team to develop healthy systems for students who are transitioning into middle school, as well as the development of a robust scope and sequence to discipleship throughout a child’s and student’s life. Send regular correspondence (text, email, social media) to families concerning upcoming events and information about current series and teaching with resources for families to deepen the discipleship at home. Serve as part of the pastoral team to provide general church leadership, coaching, counseling, and teaching. Hold regular office hours, attend monthly staff meetings (All Team, Chapel, Prayer Huddles, and Leadership Training), and work with the overall RT Jackson team in assimilating new families and being an active part of key church-wide events and ministry projects.

KEY VALUES:

Strong staff chemistry that focuses on trust, communication, and collaboration. Results and relationships. A desire to grow, be challenged, and be accountable. A ‘doing’ of ministry that flows from a ‘being’ with Jesus. A pastoral heart of serving and humility. Healthy discipleship that fosters healthy growth. Priority for leadership development. Excellence in all things as it honors God and inspires people. The principles of spiritual authority and submitting to one another. Thinking outside the box and approaching challenges as growth opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr RiverTree Jackson)