Kids Pastor

We’re searching for a Kids Pastor to oversee our thriving and fast-growing ministry to 0-11s and their families, and help us make River Kids the highlight of their weeks!

Full-time (37.5 hours) | Up to £27,500

Role Profile

Job title: Kids Pastor

Department: Rising Generations

Reports to: Senior Leaders

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: As soon as possible

Working days/hours: Full-time

Rate of pay: Up to £27,500 depending on experience

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Negotiable

Other expectations: Whilst the role will usually be Sunday to Thursday, the role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church—praying at prayer meetings, serving on team, giving financially, and growing as part of a Hangout.

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee River Church’s mission and ministry to Kids (0-11s) and their families, leading significant growth in number and depth of discipleship
• Lead, pastor, co-ordinate, train, and grow the River Kids Team
• Oversee, plan and lead kids-focussed aspects of Sunday services, working to expand capacity and grow numbers of children and families involved
• Plan and lead midweek groups, activities, courses, and events aimed at children and families, such as Baby Love (our group for parents, babies, and toddlers), the Parenting Course, and other future groups (including a new service for kids and families)
• Lead kids ministry within local primary schools and nurseries, such as taking assemblies, leading after-school or lunch clubs, RE lessons and similar activities, as opportunities arise, building on existing contacts and developing new partnerships
• Make contact and build relationships with unchurched and de-churched kids and families in Ipswich, and lead them on a pathway of discipleship, equipping the Kids Team to do the same
• Inviting parents and carers to Alpha and creating opportunities to run Alphas suitable for this demographic (i.e., through providing childcare or at strategic times and locations)
• Collaborate with the Social Transformation department where their work serves children and young families, to build their connection with River Church
• Train, mentor, and prepare members of the Kids Team to ensure the provision of excellent kids worship, mission, and ministry, and to release team members into leadership where appropriate
• Work with Senior Leaders and other ministry staff to plan events, meetings, and services
• Manage the kids department budget
• Manage and mentor Kids Team River College Students (interns), releasing them into appropriate levels of leadership
• Lead and contribute to Alpha, Staff Meeting, Department Meetings, Prayer Meeting, Hangouts, Focus, and Sunday Services (including some preaching and/or teaching)
• Collaborate with the Communications and Media Manager to curate River Kids social media channels
• Work with the Student Pastor to assist in River Church’s ministry to young people (11-18), and to ensure a smooth transition from River Kids to River Youth
• Ensure that kids team volunteers are recruited safely, following the safer recruitment policy, and that all regulatory requirements regarding safeguarding and health and safety are met, attending training as required
• Manage DBS checks and safeguarding training across River Church, working closely with the Safeguarding Officer
• Ad hoc tasks and other project work which enhances the ministry and mission of River Church

Person Specification

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a mature, personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations
• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church, and passionate about seeing people coming to know Jesus in Ipswich
• has a passion for reaching children with the gospel and to seeing them grow into all that God has created them to be in Christ
• has the capacity to provide spiritual leadership within the kids team and to contribute to the spiritual direction of the wider church
• is theologically astute

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has the ability to teach, train and develop kids team volunteers
• has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others
• has excellent organisational skills and time management
• is self-motivated
• has excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect with children
• has outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
• has a high attention to detail and high production values
• is able to manage a departmental budget
• is flexible, with a can-do attitude
• is teachable, has a desire to learn and grow, and is willing to undergo any necessary training
• understands the importance of confidentiality and has good self-awareness
• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• has experience in leading services, prayer, and worship for kids
• has outstanding ability to communicate Christian teaching to kids
• has confidence ministering in the Holy Spirit
• has a thorough understanding of statutory Child Protection/Safeguarding requirements

It is desirable that the role holder:

• has relevant degree-level qualifications connected to children, education, and/or theology
• is experienced in and/or has the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and ChurchSuite
• has an eye for design and aesthetics
• is able to use digital technology and social media to contribute to kids ministry
• is able to preach to and teach adults, as well as children
• has other skills which could contribute to the wider life and ministry of River Church