Pastor/Director of Student Ministries - Riverside Church

U.S. Church Ministries•Big Lake, MN

About The Position

The Pastor/Director of Student Ministries provides central-level leadership, development, and direction for Riverside Student Ministries (RS) staff and volunteer teams, guiding the vision, mission, and strategy for ministry environments serving grades 6–12. The role leads Student Ministry at a specific campus and partners with Riverside Campus Pastors, who oversee campus Student Ministry Pastors, Directors, and teams. As department head of the RS team, this role provides vision and strategy for RS environments, leads and trains staff, and oversees the annual ministry budget. The position directs weekly programming and teaching across campuses, develops the teaching team, teaches primarily at the Big Lake Campus, and leads small-group environments. It also recruits, trains, and develops student ministry leaders. The role leads all-campus summer and winter camps and develops a summer high-school mission trip or LIFE Conference experience, including related fundraising. It oversees ministry communications with the RS Assistant, maintains communication with parents and volunteers, and collaborates with Riverside Kids and Young Adult Ministries and the wider church staff. The position participates in Sunday services, church and campus events, and collaborative ministry initiatives. The role reports to the Director of Ministry Development and may require licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance.

Requirements

Active and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by actions, attitude, and behavior.
Full commitment to Riverside Church’s mission, vision, and values.
Demonstrated reliability, initiative, and self-motivation.
Ability to adapt to growth, change, innovation, and creativity.
Sound judgment regarding discretion, sensitivity, and confidentiality.
Ability to build cooperative, healthy, and motivating relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and volunteers.
Dedication to high-quality work and improving communication and central church functions.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in student ministry, secondary education, or a related field.
Meets Biblical qualifications for pastoral leadership.
At least 5 years of youth leadership experience.
Experience directing and administering church ministries.
Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to understand and relate to students and their families.
Ability to recruit, motivate, and equip interns and volunteer leaders to minister to students.
Ability to work as part of a larger staff team and integrate student programs with the wider church ministry.
Willingness and ability to pursue licensing and ordination/consecration with The Christian & Missionary Alliance.

Nice To Haves

Bible and theology degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide vision, strategy, and development for all RS environments serving grades 6–12.
Lead, direct, and train RS staff, including two full-time Campus Directors and part-time Operations and Administrative team members.
Create and oversee the annual ministry budget.
Partner with Campus Pastors in their direct oversight of campus RS Pastors, Directors, and teams.
Oversee and direct RS teaching series across all campuses.
Develop and guide the RS Teaching Team, including rotating message-preparation responsibilities.
Teach primarily at the Big Lake Campus and collaborate with the RS team on programming and events.
Lead and maximize small-group environments.
Recruit, train, and develop leaders aligned with Riverside Church’s vision and mission to serve students in grades 6–12.
Lead and develop bridge-building events that bring new students to campuses and other events that connect the church with the community.
Lead and develop all-campus summer and winter camps each year.
Create a high-school mission trip or LIFE Conference experience each summer, including outside fundraising.
Create, oversee, or approve communications with the RS Assistant in alignment with Riverside Church’s communication strategy and branding.
Ensure clear and active communication channels for parents and volunteers.
Oversee the use of text messaging and social media platforms to connect students, parents, and volunteers.
Collaborate with Riverside Kids and Young Adult Ministries.
Participate actively in Sunday services, church events, and campus-specific events, and collaborate with department heads on ministry initiatives.