Minister to Students and Children

Principle function:

The Minister to Students and Children is responsible to the Lord and the church for the Student and Children's Ministry (Kindergarten- Twelfth Grade) of the church.

Qualifications:

1. A Christian, a Southern Baptist, and one who loves the Lord and has a definite calling by God.

2. One who lives an exemplary Christian life in word, deed and personal appearance.

3. One who will work in harmony with the pastor and staff.

4. One who believes the Bible as the true and inspired Word of God without error.

5. One who will support and participate in the total ministry of the church and its programs.

6. One who is ordained, or who is willing to be ordained, and licensed for ministry in the state of Tennessee.

7. One who agrees with the doctrinal beliefs of Meridian Baptist Church particularly as it relates the following:

a. Family, marriage and gender preference*.

b. Salvation (Meridian Baptist Church is not in agreement with Reformed Theology)

c. Basic Beliefs Meridian Baptist Church uses the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as a guide to our beliefs.

* – Our doctrinal standard is expressed in the resolution of the SBC 2012 – http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/1224

Responsible to:

The Minister to Students and Children shall be directly responsible to the Pastor and Personnel Committee under the authority of the church.

Student Ministry Responsibilities: (Seventh grade to twelfth Grade)

1. Provide supervision and assist in the planning and conducting of a comprehensive balanced Student program in spiritual growth, ministry, recreation, missions and education in cooperation with the Pastor, Church Council, Student Leadership and incorporating the support of parents/guardians!

2. Coordinate all Student activities and Student related church programs including, but not limited to, Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Wednesday night discipleship, student visitation, recreational activities, VBS, Youth Week, Special Student Programs, Revivals, Mission Trips, Fellowships and Retreats.

3. Serve as a Pastoral Minister to the Students and integrate its ministry throughout the entire church family.

4. Counsel with students and student leadership related to spiritual matters, vocation, guidance, and social life in a manner that preserves confidentiality while protecting the integrity of your ministry and that of the church. Counseling should be done during office hours or when secondary supervision can be provided.

5. Use exemplary personal leadership qualities (role model) in the spiritual growth of adults and students as leaders in the student department and throughout the church.

6. Assist Student directors and leaders in training, and encouraging students to become Young Adult leaders in the church and outreach programs.

7. Study and make recommendations for needed changes in the Student Ministry (i.e. organizational changes, space use changes, equipment and furnishing needs, and policies and procedure of operation) to the appropriate committees.

8. Provide promotional and/or informational articles on a weekly basis for the Evangel and regular updates of Student Events by handouts, mailings and other media venues. (email, text messages, etc.)

Administration and Staff Relations:

1. Attend all scheduled staff meetings unless prohibited by illness or understandable conflicts and maintain consistent and clear communication with the Pastor and church staff.

2.. Display a spirit of Christian love, fellowship and harmony in all associations with the Pastor, staff, congregation and the community.

3. Prepare and administer budgets that relate to your ministry roles and assignments in coordination with the Church Council and Budget and Finance Committee.

4. Serve on the Church Council.

5. Maintain office hours that are approved by the Pastor and/or Personnel Committee.

6. Hours are to be reported weekly on the Ministerial Staff Weekly Schedule Report. This report should be detailed and specific as related to all activities during the week.

7. Hours per week should be at least but not limited to 40 hours per week

General:

1. The personnel guidelines for this position will follow the general guidelines for all full-time personnel of the church.

2. Compensation will not be offered for speaking engagements outside of Meridian Baptist Church functions, unless sponsored by Meridian Baptist Church.

3. Social Security will be paid by the church and/or the individual according to the IRS laws pertaining to ordained ministers.

Exclusionary Statements:

1. Insurance benefits are not included unless they are a part of our approved insurance provider**.

2. Two paid conferences will be offered at this time for the purpose of Student Ministry

Development, and must be provided within the voted budget expense limits.

3. Ministry opportunities outside the church such as speaking engagements, revivals,

Disciple Now Retreats will not be provided for as a church paid expense.

** The Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention: Guidestone

Children's ministry responsibilities (ages Kindergarten to sixth grade):

· To work alongside the VBS director in helping plan the activities associated with VBS.

· To oversee and delegate the ministerial activities associated with children's ministry such as children's church, and Wednesday night/Sunday night children's programs.

· To organize regular fellowship activities for the children of the church.

· Invest in the lives of the children of Meridian Baptist Church and the community through support of school, extra-curricular, and other community events.

· To prayerfully recruit, train, and encourage volunteers from the church for service in the Children's ministries of Meridian Baptist.

· To work toward making the children's ministries of Meridian Baptist a safe and family friendly environment.

· To communicate on a regular basis with the chairs of the children's committees.

· To demonstrate the ability to delegate responsibilities and work well with volunteers.

· To demonstrate a cooperative spirit when working with the Meridian Baptist music ministry in relation to any children's musical needs.

· Discern and implement new ways to effectively minister to children.

· Plan events designed to provide spiritual growth within the hearts and lives of children.

· Work alongside children's committees to structure annual ministry budget proposals, and administer that budget as approved by the church Budget and Finance.

· Regularly attend Church Council meetings to give monthly reports and represent the children's ministries of Meridian Baptist Church.

· Evaluate the children's programs annually with the children's committees and pastor.

· Recommend changes to the children's ministry as needed for organization, space use, equipment and furnishing needs, policies and procedures, materials, programs, curriculum, and education methods after communicating with appropriate committees and pastor.

· Be responsible for resources, tools, equipment and properties entrusted unto him/her for the use within the children's ministries.

· Ensuring that all volunteers have signed the Meridian Baptist Church Volunteer Application and have had a background check.