Kids Pastor (Future Congregation)

Mariners Church•La Mirada, CA

7h•$70,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Kids Pastor will lead and implement a dynamic Kids Ministry for children and families at one of Mariners Church's new congregations. This role involves working closely with the existing Mariners Kids ministry team to ensure the vision and strategy are effectively executed. The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating a safe and relationally engaging environment for children to grow in their faith, while also developing volunteers and fostering strong partnerships with families. This is a full-time position with a schedule that typically includes weekend services, meetings at the Irvine office, and additional weekday hours, totaling 40-50 hours per week. The position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Requirements

Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, develop, and empower volunteers.
A passion for children’s ministry and helping kids grow in their faith.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Experience in kids’ ministry or a similar leadership role, particularly in a church setting.
Familiarity with the Lead Small philosophy and best practices in relational ministry.
Ability to work collaboratively with teams across the church and across the Mariners organization.
A commitment to safety and excellence in ministry operations.
Ability to manage conflict and navigate challenging situations with grace and maturity.
Relational and approachable with a heart for kids and families.
A strong team player who collaborates well with others and values community.
A servant-hearted leader who is passionate about developing others and fostering leadership in others.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.
A proactive self-starter who takes initiative and is solution-focused.
Love Jesus and call themselves Christians.
Embrace a high biblical standard of personal conduct and lifestyle.
Agree to and adhere to the church's statement of faith and leadership commitment.

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation of a vibrant, engaging Kids Ministry that serves kids and families, creating an environment where children can grow spiritually and emotionally.
Partner with the Mariners Kids team to unpack and implement the Mariners Kids strategy, ensuring that curriculum and resources are effective, age-appropriate, and aligned with the mission.
Cultivate a strong volunteer team by developing and maintaining a pipeline for volunteer growth, providing leadership opportunities for preteens, junior high, and high school students.
Empower and intentionally develop volunteer ministry coaches who are responsible for leading and caring for teams of volunteers, ensuring they feel supported and equipped.
Champion the "Lead Small" philosophy by ensuring that every child is placed in a consistent small group with a dedicated leader. Create opportunities for kids to build meaningful relationships in their group.
Foster a relationally engaging environment, where both kids and volunteers feel known and valued.
Partner with parents to ensure they are resourced, encouraged, and equipped for their role as the primary spiritual leaders in their children’s lives.
Champion key faith milestones for children and families, including leading experiences such as "I Believe" classes, baptisms, and child dedications. Provide intentional leadership in guiding families through these significant moments in their children’s faith journey.
Attend and participate in Mariners Kids special events, training meetings, and other ministry-wide events like VBS and Winter Camp. Ensure that kids' ministry events are engaging, well-executed, and aligned with the church’s values.
Collaborate with the Mariners Kids staff across the Mariners organization to share resources, ideas, and best practices. Work together to execute ministry-wide events.
Maintain compliance with all applicable laws, church policies, and best practices related to children’s ministry, including child safety, volunteer background checks, and risk management. Ensure all activities and operations align with Mariners Church’s values and legal requirements.
Uphold the highest standards for safety and security within the ministry, ensuring that all volunteers and leaders are thoroughly trained on safety protocols, background checks, and child protection policies.