Associate Pastor for Faith Formation

SUMMARY

The Associate Pastor for Faith Formation will have overall responsibility for overseeing and leading the faith formation efforts at FPCLF with special emphasis on children (Birth through 4th grade), youth (grades 5-12), and their families.  

FPCLF has a long and strong tradition of Youth Ministry. The Associate Pastor for Faith Formation will have direct responsibility to manage & grow the Youth Ministry and prepare FPCLF for the future in this area. 

The Associate Pastor for Faith Formation is also responsible for managing and directing the staff members assigned to faith formation. This includes leadership development, coaching, and budgeting of the Children and Youth Ministries. This team will be responsible for the creation and management of integrated and coordinated programs, activities, events and communications designed to further the spiritual development and participation of FPCLF children, youth, and their families into the life of our church. In addition, the Associate Pastor for Faith Formation will serve as the primary pastoral care provider for children, youth, and their families.

The Associate Pastor for Faith Formation will also be responsible for active participation in the overall life of FPCLF and our community.  This includes strategic Church planning, weekly worship planning and participation, occasional preaching, attendance at Church events, developing collegial relationships with all of Church staff, developing relationships across the spectrum of congregation members, and active community engagement and outreach.

 

 

STRUCTURE

This position is a full-time, salaried position and reports directly to the Senior Pastor.

Faith Formation includes Children’s Ministry (Birth to 4th grade) and Youth Ministry (grades 5-12). These ministries operate under the umbrella of Faith Formation with shared vision, purpose, and training.

Within the Faith Formation channel are the following staff positions:

  • Associate Pastor (full-time)
  • Children Ministry (full-time)
  • Youth Ministry (part-time)

 

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Overall Leadership
  • Champion the mission and vision of FPCLF.
  • Manage and mentor the Faith Formation staff.
  • Lead Faith Formation to function in a supportive and collaborative role to all other ministries of the church as needed.
  • Collaborate with Faith Formation staff to set and manage annual goals.
  • Oversee the budgets for Faith Formation.
  • Recruit and develop the necessary teams to carry out the Faith Formation of FPCLF.
  • Develop opportunities to provide training and support for parents in creation of a community of parents.
  • Develop a presence in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff communities.
  • Other responsibilities and tasks as assigned by the Senior Pastor.
Children’s Ministry
  • Oversee the Children’s Ministry staff in creating a children’s ministry that offers dynamic programming, sound teaching, and outreach events that share the gospel with kids at FPCLF and in our community and get kids and parents excited about being here.
  • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where families feel embraced, loved, and supported within the church community and where parents are engaged regarding their faith journey.
Youth Ministry
  • Provide vision and guidance in Senior High and Junior High Ministry.
  • Identify opportunities for youth to serve and connect with the church body as a whole.
  • Organize and Lead Confirmation.
  • Organize and Lead Annual Senior High Youth Group Work Trip.
  • Develop meaningful relationships with parents through regular communication, pastoral care, and support, and find ways to integrate parents into the life and activities of the ministry.
Outreach and Community Engagement
  • Engage with the wider community, reaching out to young people and families who may not be connected to the church, and actively seek to involve them in the life of the church.
  • Collaborate with other community organizations, schools, and local resources to support young people and families in need and build bridges between the church and the community.

 

BASIC COMPETENCIES
Spiritual Competency
  • A genuine spiritual life – an experience of faith that exceeds (even as it informs) one’s role as a Pastor and includes spiritual practices that can be shared with others – especially children, youth and their parents– in a natural and inviting manner.
  • Humility – no need to present oneself as a high spiritual achiever, but rather comfortable with being themself.
Relational Competency: 
  • Ability to work closely with colleagues in cooperative (vs. competitive) mode and freely give and receive feedback.
  • Strong sense of self, possessing an accurate appraisal of one’s skills and competencies and, at the same time, eager to grow, develop, and improve.
  • Ability to negotiate healthy emotional boundaries with colleagues and parishioners. 
  • Genuine care for others—ability to communicate that care appropriately across the spectrum of age and life situation. 
Professional competency: 
  • Conveys a relaxed presentation, and understands the importance of being well-prepared, well-thought, and well-spoken. 
  • Ability to relate to children and youth and their parents comfortably.
  • A non-anxious leadership style that puts people at ease. 
  • Thrives on collaboration. 
  • A strong work ethic—has set a high standard for oneself in terms of job performance.
  • Ability to generate ideas and takes initiative in collaboration with colleagues.
  • Demonstrated success in designing and leading ministry initiatives. 
  • A strong sense of the dynamics of today’s youth and a focus on making certain that all feel welcome, included, and valued in all of our programs.

 

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest provides a competitive salary and a full benefits package. Interested persons should send a cover letter and resume to :

 

APNC Committee
First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest
700 North Sheridan Road
Lake Forest, IL, 60045
jobs@firstchurchlf.org

 

For more information regarding the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff community, please visit:
https://www.cityoflakeforest.com/
https://www.lflbchamber.com/

 

 

ALL INFORMATION WILL BE HELD IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE

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