First Questions To Ask Yourselves:
1. Why do we want to hire a youth minister?
2. If we were to paint the perfect picture of youth ministry in our parish what would it look like?
To be successful, a youth ministry program is a commitment of the whole community of faith to its young people. A Youth Minister would be the person to nurture and coordinate this commitment.
Points to Remember:
1. Youth Ministry is not a youth group.
2. Youth Ministry is not accomplished by one person alone - it is a ministry of the whole parish.
3. Youth Ministry is a long term investment.
More Questions:
1. What programs and support systems are already in place? What new youth programming areas do we need/want to grow into?
2. What level of financial commitment is our parish willing ro make at this time? What would we provide for a youth minister , emotionally, physically, spiritually?
3. Are we ready for a full-time person or a part-time youth minister? What would we get from having a youth minister on staff?
4. What can we do to prepare ourselves as we think about hiring a youth minister?
YOUTH MINISTER'S JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Responsible for planning, programming, implementing a youth ministry
program that primarily targets the youth of this church, yet with a reach
in to the local community. This program should be . . .
Evangelical - spreading the good news of
Jesus Christ, having a sense of mission and purpose. To reach out to others
meeting physical needs, emotional needs and spiritual needs.
Spiritual - components of bible study,
prayer, worship, should be an integral part of this program
Relational - building relationships with the
youth as well as among the youth. Developing programs and events that
support relational ministry.
Team Led - forming a group of individuals
who work together to accomplish the goals of the youth ministry.
2. Responsible for developing, training, supporting and nurturing a youth
ministry staff of volunteers to assist in every aspect of the youth
ministry.
3. Responsible for developing a vision for the youth ministry in
conjunction with the rector, adult staff, and young people setting
specific, measurable, short-term/long term, goals to evaluate progress.
4. Responsible for Christian Education, choosing and/or developing
curriculum, of youth (grades 6-12). To coordinate with other Christian
Education efforts.
5. Responsible to the rector of the parish for work related issues; such as
time off, sick leave, daily schedule. Expected to work a 40 hour week with
specific office hours posted and to operate in a professional manner as a
lay- staff minister of the church.
6. All other duties as assigned by the rector or, in his/her absence, the
Senior Warden.
YOUTH MINISTRY COMPENSATION
Compensation for youth ministers varies a great deal. This is an attempt to
focus on some basics of compensation and to give some unofficial guidelines
for consideration. At the very
least, though, a full time Youth Minister should be compensated at a similar
level as a public school teacher.
Compensation typically includes :
Salary
Health Insurance (possibly for the whole family)
Continuing Education
Reimbursed mileage and travel
Pension
Vacation leave
Sick Leave
Additional compensation could include :
housing
Free Tuition for a church school program
Bonuses
Be Creative?????
SALARY AND PACKAGE INFORMATION
Average youth minister packages range from $24,000 to $45,000 per year. The
variations are based upon experience, education, ordination, skills,
marital status, size of church, location of the church, and simply the
importance the church is placing on youth ministry. (The following
plan reflects a $36,000.00 package; a minimal plan for a College Graduate
with 2 years Youth Ministry experience)
Salary - 28,000.00
Health Insurance - 4,000.00
F.I.C.A. (one half) - 2,000.00
Car Allowance - 1,200.00
Continuing Education - 500.00
Retirement - 1,200.00
Total - 36,900.00
To lower the package price decrease or eliminate the perks of Car
Allowance, Continuing Education, and Retirement and possibly promise those
as future incentives and bonuses.
THE THREE BASIC LEVELS OF YOUTH MINISTRY PROFESSIONALS:
Level 1 - The New or Green Youth Minister - These are people with no
staff experience as youth ministers. They have served as volunteers and
have related skills and background. (i.e. education / teacher, camp
counselor, Psychology major with clinical experience) These people appear
to have potential in youth ministry but are untried and pose somewhat of a
risk as you do not know if they are capable. Salary compensation ranges
from $24,000 to $26,000. In addition to salary it would be recommended to
include continuing education benefits so this person can attend a couple of
youth ministry conferences and training events therefore sharpening their
skills.
Level 2 - The Intermediate Youth Leader - These people have some
staff youth ministry experience in a church. They may have been through a
training program or have a Masters in youth ministry from an institution.
They have some proven skills and ability. They are still growing in
their ministry and yet have had some success. Salary compensation ranges
from $26,000 to $30,000 for the intermediate youth minister.
Level 3 - The Veteran Youth Leader - These people have been in a
church for a full season of youth ministry. (minimum 4-5 years). They have
taken a group of young people from Junior High through Senior High School
graduation. They have built a full and successful program ministering to
different stages of spiritual growth in young people. (i.e. introducing
young people to Christ - evangelism, Discipleship, Missions) The veteran is
a known quantity. Salary Compensation ranges from $30,000 to $40,000.
The figures in these three levels are based on an informal survey of youth
ministers in the Episcopal Church.
PLACES TO CONTACT FOR ADVERTISING A YOUTH MINISTRY POSITION:
The
Rev. Canon Pamela W. Dunbar, Missioner for Christian Formation &Youth Ministries - pdunbar@episcopal-dallas.org
1630 N. Garrett Ave., Dallas, TX
75206
Voice: 214-826-8310 or 800-851-8497 Fax: 214-826-5968
The
Esprit – Jeanie Brooks- Editor - jbrooks@episcopal-dallas.org
1630 N. Garrett Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
Voice: 214-826-8310 or 800-851-8497 Fax: 214-826-5968
The Living Church (Weekly Episcopal Publication)
Voice: 414-276-5420
FAX: 414-276-7483
E-Mail: livngchrch@aol.com
Their classified section has many positions listed by churches
On The Internet:
WWW.YOUTHSPECIALTIES.COM
Look at the job placement page and you can list your opening free of
charge
(Adapted from the Diocese of Central Florida)
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