Job Summary
Student Ministry in Houston is a unique and exciting challenge. At Chapelwood Students, our mission is not to simply keep students in the church, but rather, we desire to equip students to know and follow Jesus and to impact their world for His kingdom. Therefore, Chapelwood UMC is looking for a dynamic, engaging, and creative individual with a vibrant relationship with Christ and a hunger to disciple students relationally. We are looking for someone with the unique capability to be a fun and authentic presence with 6th-12th grade students, to strategically put on retreats and events designed to further students’ faith, and to partner with parents, the primary disciple makers of their children.
Responsibilities include leading regular bible studies and teaching; recruiting, coordinating, and equipping volunteers; planning and running retreats; building relationships with parents and families; collaborating with a small team; and keeping a timely rhythm of work habits and communication.
Our team is highly collaborative, but this person would play a key role in working with our confirmation students (6-8th grade), their parents, associated communications, and helping to develop our new confirmation process so that it impacts students more deeply toward transformation and a lifelong faith. The ability to lead worship would be an added value, though not necessary to apply.
The successful candidate will offer the best fit among our 3-C’s of hiring: Character, Competence, and Culture.
Competence
- Knowledgeable and supportive of the Wesleyan theological tradition, embracing an understanding of God’s concern for the spiritually and materially poor and be able to communicate that concern effectively to others.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of developing quality relationships, effective leaders and strong teams; a recognized aptitude for interpersonal engagement, structured dialogue, and diplomacy; a clear ability to recognize and develop talent in others; along with strength in forming and guiding groups to accomplish common objectives.
- Ability to meet students in crisis situations and walk alongside them.
- Creative, “big picture” person who can keep track of the details of multiple and varying projects and relationships simultaneously; experienced and disciplined in the development and implementation of strategic plans.
- Proven organizational and leadership skills, along with strong verbal and written communication skills; able to plan effectively, manage time and financial budgets, accomplish tasks, solve problems, address complex issues, make decisions, delegate and follow projects through to timely completion with minimal direction.
- Computer proficient – skilled in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Interfacing and familiarity with apps our students use, and willing to learn new applications in creative design, light and sound, and Pro Presenter.
Professional and Personal Growth
- Enhance professional and spiritual growth through continuing education opportunities and professional memberships.
- Maintain physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health.
- Pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Accountable to
This position is accountable to Joseph Patty, Director of Student Ministries.
Character
- An authentic personal faith in Christ
- Conviction of core tenants of faith in line with Scripture and Creeds
- A healthy development of formation and practice of spiritual disciplines
- Grace, embodied in a lifestyle that exhibits the Fruit of the Spirit
- Integrity and consistency of personal morality and faith
- Humility, self-awareness, and teachability
- Trustworthy, with the ability to create a safe place for others, and dependable
- Discernment, spiritual as well as expressing a healthy wisdom of social boundaries
- Peacemaker, able to offer challenge without faction
- Perseverant, is capable of working through adversity with grace
Culture
- Enjoys working as a self-motivated member of a dynamic team.
- Collaborative self-starter
- Not only the Student Ministry team, but as part of the larger team of Chapelwood Staff and Lay Leaders
- Values open communication, truth telling, and grace in life but specifically within the team.
- Able to build strong relationships with parents and students
- Strikes the tension between embracing the cultural context of the Memorial area Houston (incarnation) while calling our church toward God’s kingdom vision (prophetic existence).
- Is able to embody and communicate the vision and mission of the church.
- Fulfills the expectations of the staff as outlined in the Chapelwood UMC “Staff Values Covenant,” (expected behaviors) and the “Staff Responsibilities Covenant” (core responsibilities)
- Values empowering and working alongside lay core teams.
- Empowering parents to be the primary disciple makers in their home.
- Equipping and unleashing student leaders to be the church and transform both our community as well as their schools, teams, work, friends, and family.
Compensation
Chapelwood offers a competitive compensation package of salary and excellent benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement) commensurate with education and work experience. Particulars of compensation will be worked out with the successful candidate upon satisfactory completion of financial and criminal background checks.
Next Steps
If you think God might be calling you to this position, contact Joseph Patty as indicated below.
