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Children Ministry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mt. Zion Church

Children's Ministry Director

Bel Air, MD · On-site

$37K - $51K/yr

The Kids Ministry Director provides leadership, vision, and oversight for all children's programming from Nursery through 5th Grade. This full-time role ensures a safe, engaging, and spiritually ...

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Children Ministry information

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$34K

$42.3K

$48K

How much do children ministry jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for children ministry in the United States is $42,283.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,000.00 and $45,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is children ministry?

Children Ministry refers to the programs, activities, and teachings provided by a church or religious organization specifically for children. Its primary goal is to help children learn about faith, develop moral values, and form a strong spiritual foundation in an age-appropriate and engaging way. Leaders and volunteers in Children Ministry use stories, games, crafts, and music to make learning about faith enjoyable and meaningful for kids. The ministry often works closely with families to support children's spiritual growth both at church and at home.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a children's ministry leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Children's Ministry Leader, you need a background in child development, biblical knowledge, and experience in teaching or youth leadership, often supported by relevant church training or certifications. Familiarity with curriculum planning tools, digital communication platforms, and child safety protocols is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, creativity, and the ability to build rapport with both children and parents are crucial soft skills. These skills and qualities are important to create engaging, safe, and spiritually enriching environments that nurture children's growth and strengthen family involvement in the ministry.

What is the difference between Children Ministry vs Sunday School Teacher?

AspectChildren MinistrySunday School Teacher
CredentialsOften requires background checks, basic child safety training, and sometimes religious education certificationsTypically requires similar background checks and religious education or teaching certifications
Work EnvironmentIncludes various activities, events, and ongoing programs within churches or faith-based organizationsPrimarily classroom-based teaching during church services or Sunday mornings
Employer & IndustryReligious organizations, churches, faith-based nonprofitsChurches, religious schools, faith-based community centers

Children Ministry involves a broader range of activities and ongoing programs aimed at engaging children in faith-based learning and activities, often beyond just Sunday mornings. In contrast, Sunday School Teachers focus mainly on classroom instruction during church services. Both roles require similar certifications and work within the same industry, but Children Ministry encompasses a wider scope of responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by those serving in children ministry, and how can they be addressed?

Individuals working in Children Ministry often encounter challenges such as managing a wide range of age groups, engaging children with diverse learning styles, and effectively communicating biblical concepts in an age-appropriate way. Building strong relationships with both children and their families is essential, which requires good communication and interpersonal skills. Addressing these challenges involves ongoing training, collaborating closely with volunteers and church staff, and utilizing creative teaching methods to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment.
More about Children Ministry jobs
What cities are hiring for Children Ministry jobs? Cities with the most Children Ministry job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Children Ministry jobs? The most popular types of Children Ministry jobs are:
What states have the most Children Ministry jobs? States with the most job openings for Children Ministry jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Children Ministry jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Children Ministry jobs are:
Children Ministry jobs near you
Infographic showing various Children Ministry job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,283 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR (SARATOGA CONGREGATION)

WestGate Church

San Jose, CA • On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Description

REPORTS TO: SA CHILDREN'S FAMILY MINISTRY PASTOR

RELATES CLOSELY WITH: CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TEAM, SARATOGA STAFF

CLASSIFICATION: FULL-TIME // EXEMPT

SALARY RANGE: $65-$80K


WestGate Church is a non-denominational, multi-congregational church serving families in one of the most diverse and influential regions of the world, Silicon Valley. We are seeking a Saratoga Children's Ministry Director to create Christ-centered, safe, and engaging environments for children and families. This full-time role provides leadership and oversight for children's ministry from Nursery through 5th grade, partnering closely with the Children's Pastor to develop and execute weekend programming, curriculum, and key ministry initiatives. The position follows a Sunday-Thursday schedule, with occasional evening, Friday, or Saturday commitments as ministry needs arise.

Requirements

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

  • Passionate Jesus follower, actively learning and living the way of Jesus: loving God, neighbor, and one another.
  • A deep passion for working with children and a genuine desire to see them grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially.
  • Understanding of and alignment with WestGate's theology, vision, and values, using them as a filter for decisions.
  • Embodiment of staff values: Holy, Humble, Hungry, (People-)Smart. 
  • Exemplification of essential competencies: oversight, strategy, team leadership, self-leadership, chemistry, communication, execution, stewardship, formation, proficiency.  
  • Commitment to continual growth: spiritual, personal, professional; invests in the growth of others. 
  • Demonstrates strong chemistry, connecting well with people as a relational team player.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university; or over two years related experience and/or training in children's ministry, elementary education or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
  • Positive, professional, self-starter with the ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities and projects with minimal direction. 
  • Maintains a high level of confidentiality, handling situations with discretion, diplomacy, and tact. 
  • Exhibits personal and professional discernment and discretion.  
  • Superior communication skills: written and verbal.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead and oversee in-church children's ministry at the Saratoga campus (Nursery-5th grade) alongside SA Children's Pastor, creating safe, welcoming, and Christ-centered environments for children and families.
  • Partner with the Children's Pastor to plan, develop, and execute weekend programming, curriculum, and key ministry initiatives aligned with the Ministry Playbook and WestGate's discipleship pillars.
  • Provide oversight for all children's programming, including childcare and support for children with special needs, ensuring environments are engaging, age-appropriate, and spiritually formative.
  • Design creative, biblically sound experiences that point children to Jesus and foster connection with God, leaders, and peers.
  • Recruit, develop, and lead coordinators and Serve Team members, cultivating a healthy, Christ-centered team culture and equipping leaders to serve with excellence.
  • Partner with parents through communication and resources that equip families to disciple their children at home.
  • Implement and uphold all child safety policies and procedures, including check-in/out, emergency protocols, background checks, and compliance with the WestGate Child Protection Policy.
  • Plan and lead Christ-centered events including annual respite events, under the guidance of the Children's Ministry Pastor.
  • Provide care and guidance to children, parents, and Serve Team members, addressing challenges with wisdom and grace.
  • Ensure ministry spaces are prepared, safe, organized, and well-supplied.
  • Maintain accurate attendance, Serve Team, and ministry records, and manage the ministry budget with faithful stewardship.
  • Collaborate with other ministry teams and support church-wide events as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

PRIMARY LEADERSHIP COMPONENTS

  • Motivational Leadership - "I lead through platform" - Inspire action through platform leadership and motivational speaking. Low to High (1-5): 1
  • Strategic Leadership - "I lead through strategic planning" - Advance our mission through data, planning, execution, and reporting. Low to High (1-5): 3
  • Directional Leadership - "I lead through vision" - Ensure progress by defining goals, key objectives and providing guidance. Low to High (1-5): 4
  • Relational Leadership - "I lead through connection" - Foster growth and well-being through personalized connection and care. Low to High (1-5): 4
  • Team Leadership - "I lead through team" - Build team by recruiting, training, scheduling, and celebrating contributors. Low to High (1-5): 5

BENEFITS (FULL-TIME)

  • Paid vacation, holidays, medical and sick days
  • Provide medical, dental, vision and mileage reimbursements
  • Support for mental/emotional/spiritual/physical health through various partnerships
  • Further educational learning opportunities (conferences, seminars, cohorts & seminary)
  • Matching retirement savings benefit

LEGAL NOTICES - PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Stand for extended periods.
  • Perform walking, bending, twisting, and kneeling.
  • Navigate stairs.
  • Demonstrate finger and hand dexterity for computer, instrument, and tool operation.
  • Possess specific vision abilities, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, with the ability to adjust focus.
  • Lift and carry up to 20 pounds with or without assistance.

LEGAL NOTICES - WORK CONDITIONS

  • Operate in a professional office or church environment with standard equipment like computers, printers, filing cabinets, and telephones.
  • Lead in settings with various equipment, cables, stage lights, loud sounds, and visual stimuli.
  • Work typically occurs Sunday-Thursday, with occasional Fridays, Saturdays, or evenings as needed.

This job description is not designed to cover or comprehensively list all possible duties, activities, or

responsibilities. These requirements may change at any time. Acceptance of this position constitutes the employee's

understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.

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