Children’s Ministry Coordinator 

The Gathering Community Church: A Jesus Centred Community

Children’s Ministry Maternity Leave Information Packet

Thanks for your interest in the children’s ministry position here at The Gathering Church.  Expressions of interest and applications (via resume) will be received beginning in October and interviews will occur in October and November 2024.  Only those who are selected to interview will be contacted and we will receive resumes until the position is filled. For more information or to express interest, please contact Pastor Brad.

 

Position Rationale

The Need for Excellent Children & Family Ministry:

The Gathering Church values authentic relationships and sees our programs as tools that connect people with the life-changing power of Jesus Christ in fun, relevant and age-appropriate ways.  TGC  has a history of excellent programs that positively impact children’s lives.  As a result, TGC must continue to strive for excellence in our ministry to children and families for two key reasons:

1. Excellent Children’s Ministry Impacts our Community 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the quality of the children’s programming is a significant factor in the decision for many families to attend church on a regular basis.  These families are accustomed to a certain level of experience when it comes to their children and so it is important that we provide a positive and life-impacting church environment.  Other parents return to church after years of absence or attend for the first time simply because of their child’s experience at a place like The Gathering.  A children’s ministry that is sub-par will hinder our ability to attract young families and guide their faith exploration and development.

1. Excellent Children’s Ministry Transforms Lives

Research clearly indicates the importance of purposely guiding a child’s spiritual formation at an early age.  Just as an early academic foundation often leads to greater success and ability to learn in the future so it is with spiritual development.  Imparting significant life truths to children at an early age will not only help them to be committed Christ followers, but will also lay the foundation on which a healthy view of the world can be developed.  TGC has a great opportunity to serve the needs of families in the community.  This is an opportunity to transform many lives at a critical time for the individuals and for the community.

The Need for a Leadership:

Obviously excellent Children’s Ministry does not occur by chance – it is the result of purposeful decisions, prayer and action.  While volunteers contribute large amounts of time and energy there is still a need for a staff member to provide leadership and coordinate activities and volunteers.  For the past few years, TGC has had a history of approximately a half-time staff position in this area.

Our Current Situation:

Our current director, Hannah Wiens, is scheduled to go on maternity leave at the end of 2024 and so TGC is seeking a qualified candidate to provide maternity leave coverage for a one year period from Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025 (dates approximate).  This is a contract position as it is currently anticipated that Hannah will return to her position following her maternity leave.

 Staff Position Profile

 

Position Title:

Children’s Ministry Coordinator (Maternity Leave Coverage)

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to Lead Pastor

Brief Description:

Working with the Lead Pastor and our Gathering Kids volunteer team, the children’s ministry director provides overall leadership for the age-specific ministries of TGC from birth to Grade 7.

Key Position Objectives:

1. Helping children to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ
2. Ensuring children are developing a Jesus-centred view of the world that impacts their daily living
3. Providing a fun, active and safe learning environment
4. Involving and equipping parents in the spiritual development process of children

Key Responsibilities:

• Recruiting, equipping and leading a volunteer children’s ministry team
• Giving leadership to TGC’s Sunday morning children’s programs (Gathering Kids)
  • Recruiting & training volunteers for nursery and ages 3-11:
  • Coordinating overall deployment of volunteers and resources
  • Ensuring curriculum and resources are in place
• Giving leadership to family events (movie nights, outreach, possible day camps, etc)
• Giving leadership to Jr Youth (Grades 4-9) environment (1 evening per month)
• Promoting children’s ministry activities and highlights
• Coordinating special children’s ministry-focused activities & events
• Working with Lead Pastor to ensure coordinated family ministry
• Representing the needs of children within the overall vision and mission of TGC

Ideal Qualifications:

• Evidence of a committed and growing relationship with Jesus Christ
• Experience leading an interactive children’s education environment
• Experience recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers
• Experience working in a church or ministry setting (volunteer or paid)
• Commitment to Canadian Conference of MB Church’s Statement of Faith and TGC’s stated vision, core values and ministry plan.

 

Terms of Employment:

Proposed dates of commencement of employment: Jan 1, 2025 (Contract would conclude Dec 30, 2025)

22 hours per week (includes benefits after a 90 day waiting period).  Rate of pay is $23.70 per hour

For more information: Pastor Brad Sumner (brad@thegatheringchurch.ca)

The Gathering Church

2285 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC

www.thegatheringchurch.ca

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the church.