ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Middle School Pastor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Timberlake Church

Middle School Pastor

Redmond, WA · On-site

$52K - $65K/yr

Middle School Pastor - Redmond Campus Full-time Timberlake Church is an impactful, fast-growing, and increasingly diverse community committed to helping people find and follow Jesus. We embrace ...

Lead222

WI · On-site

$82K - $90K/yr

Middle School meets during the first service with teaching, worship, and discipleship groups ... Pastor as the ministry continues to grow. Key Responsibilities: * Provide overall vision and ...

MinistryHub

Youth Pastor

Saint Clair, MO · On-site

Oversee the ministry to middle school and high school students. * Create a safe, welcoming, fun ... What Success Looks Like A successful Youth Pastor at Roots will help create a ministry where:

C3 Tri-Cities

Middle School Coordinator

Richland, WA · On-site

$17.13 - $19.13/hr

Partner with the Youth Pastor to align teaching with overall youth ministry vision and direction. * Assist in developing and implementing a discipleship pathway specifically for middle school ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSpiritual JobsReligious Leader JobsMiddle School Pastor Jobs

Middle School Pastor information

See salary details

$5

$23

$27

How much do middle school pastor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for middle school pastor in the United States is $23.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $25.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a middle school pastor?

A Middle School Pastor is a church leader responsible for guiding and supporting students in grades 6-8 in their spiritual growth and personal development. They plan and lead youth group activities, Bible studies, worship services, and outreach events tailored to the unique needs of middle schoolers. Middle School Pastors also provide counseling, mentorship, and a safe environment where students can explore their faith and build strong relationships with peers and adult mentors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a middle school pastor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Middle School Pastor, you need a strong foundation in theology, youth ministry experience, and often a degree in religious studies or a related field. Familiarity with church management software, curriculum development tools, and social media platforms is beneficial. Outstanding communication, empathy, and the ability to build trusting relationships with young adolescents and their families are essential soft skills. These skills and qualities are important because they enable effective spiritual guidance, engagement, and support for middle school students during a crucial stage of development.

What are some common challenges faced by a middle school pastor, and how can they be addressed?

A Middle School Pastor often encounters challenges such as engaging students who are at varying stages of emotional and spiritual development, managing diverse group dynamics, and building trust with both students and their families. To address these challenges, successful pastors employ creative teaching methods, foster open communication, and collaborate closely with parents, volunteers, and church staff. Regular training and seeking mentorship from experienced youth leaders can also provide valuable support and guidance in overcoming these obstacles.

What is the difference between Middle School Pastor vs Youth Minister?

AspectMiddle School Pastor

Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in theology, ministry, or related field; pastoral certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentChurch settings, primarily focusing on middle school age group, involving sermons, mentorship, and activities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by churches with dedicated youth ministries, often in religious organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles within church youth leadership, focusing on age-specific ministry

The Middle School Pastor primarily focuses on spiritual guidance, mentorship, and activities for middle school students within a church setting. A Youth Minister may oversee a broader age range, including high school students, and may have a more general youth ministry role. While both roles require similar credentials and work environments, the Middle School Pastor specializes in middle school age group ministry, making it distinct in scope and focus.

More about Middle School Pastor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Middle School Pastor jobs?

For Middle School Pastor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Middle School Pastor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Middle School Pastor job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,008 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Middle School (Jr High) Pastor

Maple Grove, MN • On-site

Creative Church
See more jobs at Creative Churchexternal

Part-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

To pastor, disciple, connect, and develop the 6th–8th grade students of Creative Church, creating a strong bridge between Creative Kids and Youth Ministry during some of the most formative years of a student's life.

The Middle School Pastor will help students become deeply rooted in Jesus, Scripture, prayer, worship, relationships, serving, and the local church—while also becoming a trusted resource and ministry partner for their parents.


POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Middle School Pastor will work alongside the Youth Pastor and in partnership with both Creative Kids and Youth Ministry to ensure middle school students are personally known, spiritually growing, relationally connected, and excited to be at church.

This is designed as Part-time, but could develop into Full-time.


This person should genuinely love middle schoolers.

They should understand their humor, culture, interests, pressures, friendships, and challenges while possessing the spiritual maturity to disciple them rather than simply entertain them.

The goal is for every middle school student at Creative Church to know:

“There is someone at my church who knows me, cares about me, believes in me, and is helping me follow Jesus.”


QUALIFICATIONS

SPIRITUAL

The Middle School Pastor must:

  • Have a clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and a growing relationship with Him.
  • Be deeply rooted in Scripture and committed to sound biblical doctrine.
  • Maintain a consistent personal prayer life and put prayer first in ministry.
  • Demonstrate a genuine love for worship and the presence of God.
  • Be committed to personal holiness, integrity, and biblical Christian living.
  • Have a personal desire to continue growing through discipleship, Scripture, prayer, and accountability.
  • Be committed to the mission, vision, doctrine, culture, and leadership of Creative Church.


PERSONAL

The Middle School Pastor should be:

  • Relational, personable, energetic, and approachable.
  • Relevant and able to genuinely connect with today's middle school generation.
  • Fun without sacrificing spiritual depth.
  • Patient and a strong listener.
  • Emotionally mature and trustworthy.
  • Organized and dependable.
  • Comfortable communicating with both students and adults.
  • Able to teach Scripture clearly and engagingly.
  • Able to lead both small groups and larger gatherings.
  • A strong team player who works well under the leadership of the Youth Pastor.


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. PASTOR & DISCIPLE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Develop meaningful relationships with 6th–8th grade students.

  • Personally know and connect with students.
  • Meet appropriately with students for discipleship and spiritual development within church safeguarding policies.
  • Pray with students.
  • Teach them how to read and understand Scripture.
  • Encourage Bible memorization.
  • Develop their prayer lives.
  • Help them grow in worship.
  • Challenge them to serve in the house of God.
  • Help students discover gifts and leadership potential.
  • Follow up with students who are new, inconsistent, struggling, or disconnected.

The goal is not simply middle school attendance—it is middle school discipleship.


2. CREATE A CHURCH THEY WANT TO ATTEND

Help create an environment where middle schoolers genuinely look forward to coming to Creative Church every week.

Work with the Youth Pastor and ministry teams to create:

  • Strong Sunday experiences
  • Strong Wednesday-night experiences
  • Small groups
  • Games and activities
  • Relational moments
  • Spiritual experiences
  • Age-appropriate teaching
  • Opportunities to worship, pray, serve, and lead

Middle school students should feel that Creative Church is their church, not simply the church their parents bring them to.


3. SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY MINISTRY

Sunday and Wednesday will be the primary recurring ministry environments for this position.

The Middle School Pastor will:

  • Prepare for each week's ministry.
  • Be present and engaged before, during, and after services.
  • Personally connect with students.
  • Identify and welcome new students.
  • Teach or facilitate as assigned.
  • Lead prayer and spiritual moments.
  • Develop and oversee middle school leaders.
  • Follow up with students after significant ministry moments.
  • Work alongside Youth and Kids leadership to create continuity between ministries.

4. CONNECTION EVENTS

Create regular opportunities for middle school students to build relationships outside normal services.

Events should intentionally help students:

Make friends → Build relationships → Love church → Encounter Jesus → Grow spiritually.

5. PARENT PARTNERSHIP

Build strong relationships with parents of middle school students.

6. CARE FOR STUDENTS THROUGH DIFFICULT SEASONS

7. BUILD A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM


BRIDGE BETWEEN KIDS & YOUTH

One of the most important responsibilities of this position is creating a healthy transition between childhood and adolescence.

The Middle School Pastor will work with Kids and Youth leadership to:

  • Prepare 5th graders to transition into middle school ministry.
  • Help 6th graders establish relationships quickly.
  • Help 8th graders transition successfully into high school ministry.
  • Prevent students from disappearing during ministry transitions.
  • Share appropriate information between ministry teams.
  • Build relationships with families before transition points occur.

No student should fall through the cracks simply because they aged out of one ministry and into another.


SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Middle school students should measurably grow in:

  • Bible knowledge
  • Bible reading
  • Scripture memorization
  • Prayer
  • Worship
  • Understanding the Gospel
  • Biblical identity
  • Christian friendships
  • Serving
  • Generosity
  • Sharing their faith
  • Church attendance
  • Personal discipleship

The Middle School Pastor should continually evaluate whether students are simply attending or actually growing.


MEASURABLE MINISTRY FRUIT

The Middle School Pastor should track and regularly report:

  • Weekly middle school attendance
  • First-time students
  • Second and third visits
  • Students participating in groups
  • Students serving
  • Students engaged in Bible memorization
  • Salvations and baptisms
  • Students personally discipled
  • Students receiving pastoral follow-up
  • Parent connections
  • Connection-event attendance
  • New leaders recruited
  • Leaders developed
  • Students transitioning successfully between Kids and Youth
  • Testimonies of spiritual growth and life change


Success is not only measured by how many students follow the Middle School Pastor, but by how many students are learning to follow Jesus and help others follow Him.


SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY

This position may be structured as part-time or full-time depending on the candidate, responsibilities, and ministry needs.

Regular ministry commitments will include:

  • Sundays
  • Wednesday evenings
  • Weekly preparation and follow-up
  • Student and parent meetings
  • Team development
  • Periodic evening and weekend events

Because student ministry occurs when students are available, this position requires flexibility for occasional evenings, weekends, special events, retreats, and ministry opportunities.


THE WIN

The Middle School Pastor is succeeding when:

  • Middle schoolers want to come to church.
  • New students quickly make friends and return.
  • Students know they are personally cared for.
  • Students are reading and memorizing Scripture.
  • Students are learning to pray and worship.
  • Students are serving in the church.
  • Students have trusted Christian leaders in their lives.
  • Parents feel known, supported, and confident in the ministry.
  • Students receive pastoral care during difficult seasons.
  • Students transition successfully from Kids to Youth.
  • Leaders are being multiplied.
  • Attendance and spiritual engagement are growing.

Ultimately, the goal is to help raise a generation of middle school students who are anchored in Jesus, anchored in Scripture, anchored in healthy relationships, and planted in the house of God.