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Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

St. Andrew Lutheran
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St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Vancouver, WA

POSITION:  Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry. Full-time salaried exempt position. (St. Andrew is an at-will employer.)

DESCRIPTION:  Join a vibrant 300-member congregation as DCYFM and help shape the faith journeys of young people and families in our community. You'll create meaningful experiences that empower children and youth to discover their gifts, deepen their faith, and engage with the world around them. From weekly educational programming and joyful celebrations to community service opportunities and relationship-building activities, you'll build a welcoming, inclusive community where every person belongs. This full-time salaried exempt position reports to the Senior Pastor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Strategies for advancing the children, youth and family ministry (CYFM) vision may happen in a variety of ways and venues. Some examples: 

  • Faith Formation – Encourage and facilitate learning and faith formation opportunities for children, youth, families, advocates, and the Preschool community in a variety of ways and times, including digitally and in the home. Programs may include retreats, mission trips, confirmation, Sunday School, VBS, Youth Group, teaching faith practices, mentoring programs, and Milestone Ministries (such as: baptism, first-communion, confirmation and graduation). Some programs may be age-segregated and others intergenerational, always encouraging openness, belonging, and gracious acceptance of each person’s uniqueness and supporting the vision, mission, and goals of St. Andrew.  
  • Worship Services – Encourage and facilitate the participation and leadership of children and youth in worship, children’s chats, alternative worship opportunities, and faith-nurturing childcare during services. 
  • Volunteer Recruitment & Development – In collaboration with staff and leadership, implement best practices related to safety, risk management, and crisis response, following church policies, constitution and bylaws, and training procedures already in place. Continually stay up to date on best practices. Implement and manage St. Andrew’s Safe Church Training and background checks for volunteers. Recruit, train, equip, and support children, youth, and adults to carry out the CYFM goals, as well as the goals and mission of the congregation. 
  • Communication & Storytelling – Serves as the primary communicator for CYFM to multiple audiences, including families, congregation, and community, working in close collaboration with staff, ministry teams, and the pastor. Responsibilities include maintaining ministry website pages, managing social media presence (2-3 posts weekly on Facebook and Instagram), sending targeted email communications to segmented audiences, and creating promotional materials for events and programs. Document ministry impact through photography, video, and compelling written stories that highlight youth experiences and faith formation for use in bulletins, newsletters, and fundraising efforts. Maintain accurate ministry calendars, while promoting programs and activities in a timely manner. This role requires strong writing skills, comfort with digital communication platforms, ability to tell engaging stories across diverse audiences, and organized management of multiple communication channels while ensuring compliance with child safety and privacy policies.
  • Community Building – Encourage and facilitate opportunities for relationship-building activities within and outside the church, such as outings, game nights, retreats, church-sponsored events, family dinner groups, and collaboration with youth groups from other local churches. Provide support and community for those raising children and youth, including Preschool parents.  Encourage children, youth, and family involvement in all aspects of congregational life. Fund-raising events as needed.
  • Service, Outreach, and Justice – Encourage and facilitate opportunities and education to help children, youth, and families serve others, reach out to the community, and promote social justice.  Promote partnerships with organizations, such as local schools, Winter Hospitality Overflow, NAMI, Scouts, Synod groups, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

  • Ability to work on Sunday mornings, some evenings, and weekends.
  • Experience in leadership or supporting role in youth ministry.  
  • Willingness and ability to articulate and share their faith and a passion for sharing God’s good news with others, particularly children, youth and their families.
  • Collaborative and able to work with minimal supervision. 
  • Ability to develop and oversee a budget for children, youth and family ministry
  • Member of ELCA congregation or full communion partner, and/or willingness to join St. Andrew.
  • Strong visioning, organizational, team building, and program development skills. 
  • The ability to work with people of all ages, including equipping and providing training to them.
  • The ability to integrate children, youth and family ministry with other congregational ministries.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including social media and web-based communication.
  • A commitment to the vision, mission, core values, and goals of St. Andrew.
  • A degree in religious studies or higher education is an asset. 

REQUIREMENTS:  

  • Completion of a background check prior to beginning the position.  
  • Must be able to engage actively with children, youth, and families, including the ability to maneuver the grounds and facilities freely and be capable of, but not limited to: walking, stooping, carrying a minimum of 50 pounds, sitting, standing, pushing, climbing, kneeling, lifting a minimum of 50 pounds, and crouching.  
  • Driving your own or another vehicle for CYF events may be necessary. A valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and a clear DMV driver’s report are required. 

COMPENSATION/ TIME OFF/ CONTINUING EDUCATION

  • This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, with flexible scheduling around year-round programming needs. 
  • Core hours: Sunday mornings are required. Expect regular evening and weekend programming, including youth group (school year), VBS week (summer), mission trips, and quarterly retreats. Office-based work typically occurs Monday-Thursday during regular office hours (9 am-5 pm) for planning, staff meetings, and administrative tasks. Flexibility to balance evening/weekend programming with adjusted weekday hours.
  • Salary range: $45,000-$65,000, depending on experience. St. Andrew does not provide employer-sponsored health insurance.
  • Time off is granted as required by WA State law and according to the St. Andrew sick-leave, vacation, and holiday policies. Accrual begins first day of employment; may be used after 90-day probationary period.
  • Vacation: 2 weeks annually, increasing to 3 weeks after 5 years, and to 4 weeks after 10 years.
  • Paid Holidays: 9 days annually, including 2 personal/floating holidays.
  • Continuing Education: Professional development opportunities and conferences available with pastoral collaboration and approval. 

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Vancouver, WA (salcvan.org) is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org) and a Reconciling in Christ partner (reconcilingworks.org). We welcome, affirm, and advocate for equity and justice for all.