Job Description: Family Faith Formation Pastor

Reports to: Senior Pastor

Oversight by: Congregation Council

Classification: Exempt (special classification)

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Supports the long-term viability of SPLC children, youth and family ministries. Understanding that healthy congregations work interdependently as a team, the pastor for Family Faith Formation (F3) will lead, guide and support the congregation's faith formation ministry. The F3 Pastor will build and work with teams, including F3 Children's Ministry, F3 Youth, and F3 Adult Ministry as follows:

I. Faith formation

1. Support and continuously evaluate the comprehensive faith formation ministry of the congregation to make disciples for Christ.

2. Implement and evaluate the comprehensive ministry program, known as Family Faith Formation, to support parents in the calling as the key teachers of faith for the children.

3. Serve as the lead teacher for and Coordinator of the Confirmation ministry (Head-to-Heart) as described in the program materials and serve as the lead teacher for Senior High Sunday School.

4. Supports families through every age and transition.

5. Facilitate relationships and transitions for families from each stage of faith formation to the next.

6. Provide youth and families with opportunities for ministry and service, camp, and mission projects and trips.

7. Establish a good working relationship with parents of youth to encourage parental participation in ministries. This will include developing an effective means of communicating directly with youth and parents.

8. Model, promote and equip families and students for daily Bible reading, prayer, and confession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

II. Training and equipping Small Groups

1. Work primarily with the Family Faith Formation team and Congregational Life to continually recruit and equip effective leaders for small groups.

2. Encourage all organizations and ministries of the church to carry out the work with an emphasis on welcoming others to participate in the mission work of Christ.

III. General Responsibilities

1. Puts systems and teams in place that ensure long-lasting spiritual growth of children, youth, and families in place.

2. Provide input to assigned teams and committees of the Church, as directed by the Constitution.

3. Communicate frequently and work with staff to carry out the ministries of education, youth, fellowship, health, and adults.

4. Provide pastoral care by assisting the Senior Pastor and in conjunction with other staff, boards, committees, and member care givers through visitation, counseling, and prayer.

Build a sense of teamwork, together with the Senior Pastor and church staff. Facilitate communication and coordinate support of the ministries of the church.

5. Make appropriate referrals when necessary and quickly respond to crisis situations which arise in the congregation.

Personal Characteristics:

1. Be a dedicated Christian who sees this call as a means of serving Christ.

2. Be charismatic, optimistic and positive in outlook, and emotionally and spiritually mature.

3. Be aware of and respect the confidentiality of information available as a result of the nature of the position.

4. Relates well to people of all ages.

5. Practice a healthy devotional life centered in daily Bible reading and prayer.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Master of Divinity preferred; minimum is a relevant bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

2. At least three (3) years' experience in a congregation is preferred.

3. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to prepare and present well-organized, clear, and biblically sound sermons and written materials from a Lutheran perspective.

4. Use of current technology and communication to spread the Good News.

5. Ability to relate to individuals of all ages and across generations.

6. Flexibility in hours available for work, including evenings and weekends. Should be in the office enough to be accessible to members of the congregation and to ensure regular communication with members of the church staff.