OVERVIEW:

The Children's Ministry Pastor is responsible for the pastoral oversight and executive direction of all Wooddale Church Children's Ministry programs. This role includes crafting an immersive discipleship experience for children that builds resilient NextGen followers of Jesus. The Children's Ministry Pastor will equip parents/guardians as primary disciple-makers, recruit and develop volunteers, manage staff and leaders, and maintain intentional communication with families, all within a safe, engaging, and gospel-centered environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide pastoral and administrative leadership to the Eden Prairie Children's Ministry staff, offering support and goal-oriented management.
• Collaborate with the Family & NextGen Pastor to advise and shape the overall direction of Wooddale Children's Ministry across all campuses.
• Create, cast vision for, and protect a Children's Ministry culture that aligns with our commitment to Win the Weekend, ensuring children experience the love of Jesus in engaging ways.
• Design and implement children's programming for weekends and weeknights, which includes events, outreach, fellowship, discipleship, and evangelism.
• Establish an immersive discipleship experience that encourages spiritual growth in children and equips families to actively participate in their children's faith journey.
• Lead the Children's Ministry team to develop and maintain clear, documented policies, guidelines, and practices that foster a safe, welcoming, and gospel-centered environment.
• Implement effective volunteer leadership development through training, equipping, and support, ensuring volunteers are well-prepared for service.
• Maintain strong communication with volunteers and families, keeping them informed of schedules, policies, discipleship resources, and other essential information.
• Partner with the Family Resource Initiative to provide parenting resources, training, and support that equip families to disciple their children effectively.
• Manage and oversee budgets for the Eden Prairie Children's Ministry, ensuring alignment with the overall vision and goals of Wooddale Church.
• Engage with children and their families by participating in children's programs and building meaningful connections.
• Participate in broader pastoral duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Baccalaureate degree (and divinity degree desirable)
• Five years of experience working with a multi-staff children's ministries environment
• Unwavering commitment to the highest ideals of the Christian faith and the mission, vision, and purpose of Wooddale Church
• Outgoing, energetic, Spirit-led, self-starting person who demonstrates a passion for Children's Ministry
• Proven capability to recruit, train, and equip volunteer leadership
• Understanding of Christian discipleship and childhood development within the local church
  • Ability to develop and lead creative children's programs and ministries which equip parents
  • Ability to recruit, motivate and equip children's volunteer teachers and workers
  • Ability to effectively evangelize, disciple and teach children through elementary school
• Understand laws governing children in classroom environments for safety and security
• Exhibits creativity and relevance that attracts families
• Experience managing people from various backgrounds; ability to train and equip volunteers
• Anticipates, prompts and meets deadlines
• Excellent organizational skills: attention to detail, good planning, coordination, written and oral communication, and scheduling skills
• Knowledge of various computer tools: church management system, Microsoft Office, social media, etc.
• Team player who operates in a collegial manner with other staff and volunteers
• Subscribe to and affirm the Statement of Faith and Covenant of Wooddale Church
• Be a regular participant in public worship at Wooddale Church
• Become or remain a member in good standing of Wooddale Church

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Family & NextGen Pastor
• Works with ministry teams related to children's, student and family ministries
• Coordinates with other members of the church staff, especially in youth and adult ministries
• Works collaboratively with the Campus Pastors and Campus Children's Ministry staff
• Works collaboratively with the Academy and other ministries

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK & TRAVEL:

• Typical schedule includes weekday hours and Wednesday evenings as well as consistent weekend responsibilities
• Evening, weekend, and extended hours as holiday and other events require determined by the discretion of the Children's Ministry team and Family & NextGen Pastor
• Requires the ability to occasionally commute to and work from other campuses, as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This job primarily operates in an office setting and will include using standard office equipment. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear and frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and reach with hands and arms. This jobs also requires the ability to lift-up to 40 pounds, repetitive bending, stretching and stooping, climb up and down stairs, have mobility required to ensure the safety of children and students, work with children on the floor, work outdoors and perform light cleaning. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:

Wooddale Church offers a comprehensive benefits package for all 40+ hour full-time employees, which includes opportunities to elect Medical (30+ hour full-time), Dental, Life/AD&D, HSA, Flex, LTD, optional Vision, optional Life/AD&D, optional STD, a Health & Wellness Plan and a 403(b) retirement plan with company match and immediate vesting. Projected salary range: $70,000 - $85,000 depending upon experience and qualifications.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

We use E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer