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Teen Pastor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Multiply Church is seeking a Youth Pastor to lead and grow Multiply Youth, a thriving student ministry reaching 200-250 teenagers weekly with a broader community of over 700 students. This role will ...

Multiply Church is seeking a Youth Pastor to lead and grow Multiply Youth, a thriving student ministry reaching 200-250 teenagers weekly with a broader community of over 700 students. This role will ...

The Youth Pastor will lead and implement a dynamic and impactful Youth Ministry for junior high and ... for teenagers. * Small & Large Group Leadership: Teach and lead in both small and large group ...

The Youth Pastor will lead and implement a dynamic and impactful Youth Ministry for junior high and ... for teenagers. * Small & Large Group Leadership: Teach and lead in both small and large group ...

The Youth Pastor will lead and implement a dynamic and impactful Youth Ministry for junior high and ... for teenagers. * Small & Large Group Leadership: Teach and lead in both small and large group ...

The Youth Pastor will lead and implement a dynamic and impactful Youth Ministry for junior high and ... for teenagers. * Small & Large Group Leadership: Teach and lead in both small and large group ...

Salary: $48,000 - $58,000 The High School Pastor leads high school students to know and love God ... Have a proven track record of positive teen interactions and have a history of good interactions ...

The High School Pastor leads high school students to know and love God. They oversee all aspects of ... Have a proven track record of positive teen interactions and have a history of good interactions ...

High School Pastor

Lancaster, PA · On-site

$48K - $58K/yr

The High School Pastor leads high school students to know and love God. They oversee all aspects of ... Have a proven track record of positive teen interactions and have a history of good interactions ...

Help strengthen ministry to teenagers and young families. * Support and encourage existing children ... A pastor with previous ministry leadership experience - ideally including prior experience as a ...

Lead Pastor

Halls, TN · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

Help strengthen ministry to teenagers and young families. * Support and encourage existing children ... A pastor with previous ministry leadership experience - ideally including prior experience as a ...

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Teen Pastor information

See salary details

$28K

$50.8K

$69.5K

How much do teen pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for teen pastor in the United States is $50,840.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $58,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Teen Pastor?

A Teen Pastor is a clergy member or church leader who specializes in guiding, mentoring, and supporting teenagers in their spiritual growth and life challenges. They typically organize youth group activities, teach Bible studies, provide counseling, and create programs that engage teens in faith-based learning and community service. Teen Pastors play a vital role in helping young people navigate adolescence with a strong moral and spiritual foundation, often collaborating with parents and other church leaders. Their goal is to foster a safe, welcoming environment where teens can explore their faith and build lasting relationships.

How old can youth pastors be?

There is no specific age limit for youth pastors; individuals of various ages can serve in this role. Typically, youth pastors are adults who have experience working with teenagers and often hold relevant certifications or training in youth ministry. Age requirements depend on the church or organization’s policies, but generally, the role is filled by adults rather than minors.

How to get a job as a youth pastor?

To become a youth pastor, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with many positions requiring a bachelor's degree in theology, youth ministry, or a related field. Relevant experience includes volunteering or working with youth, strong communication skills, and often certification in youth or pastoral training. Building relationships within a church community and demonstrating leadership abilities are also important steps in securing a youth pastor position.

Can a teenager work at a church?

Teenagers can work at a church in roles such as teen pastor or youth leader, often starting at age 14 or 15 depending on local labor laws and church policies. These positions typically involve supervision, mentoring, and event planning, and may require background checks and training. Employment eligibility depends on state regulations and the specific responsibilities of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Teen Pastor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Teen Pastor, you need a strong background in theology, youth ministry, and counseling, typically supported by a degree in divinity, theology, or youth ministry. Familiarity with curriculum development tools, church management software, and ongoing ministry training or certifications is often beneficial. Outstanding communication, empathy, leadership, and the ability to build trust with teenagers are essential soft skills. These qualities enable a Teen Pastor to connect with youth, guide their spiritual growth, and foster a supportive and engaging church environment.

What are some common challenges Teen Pastors face when engaging with youth, and how can they overcome them?

Teen Pastors often encounter challenges such as bridging generational gaps, addressing diverse backgrounds, and maintaining youth engagement in faith-based activities. Building genuine relationships, staying current with youth culture, and creating interactive, relevant programs are key strategies to overcome these obstacles. Collaboration with parents, volunteers, and other church leaders also enhances support and effectiveness in ministering to teens.

What qualifications do youth pastors need?

Youth pastors typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with many employers preferring a bachelor's degree in youth ministry, theology, or a related field. Relevant experience working with teenagers, strong communication skills, and sometimes certification in youth or child development are also important qualifications for the role.

What is the difference between Teen Pastor vs Youth Minister?

AspectTeen PastorYouth Minister
CredentialsOften requires religious education, theology degree, or ministry trainingSimilar credentials, including religious studies or ministry training
Work EnvironmentChurch settings, youth groups, religious eventsChurch environments, community outreach, youth programs
Employer & IndustryReligious organizations, churchesReligious institutions, churches, faith-based organizations
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Teen Pastors and Youth Ministers work within religious settings, focusing on youth engagement. While their roles often overlap, Teen Pastors typically have a more pastoral and spiritual leadership focus, whereas Youth Ministers may have broader community outreach responsibilities. Understanding these differences can help in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Infographic showing various Teen Pastor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 16% Full Time, 83% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,840 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs is seeking a deeply relational pastor who loves families. The Family Ministries Pastor does not sit in an office administering programs from a distance. This person is on the floor with the kids, at the table with the parents, in the hallway with the teenagers, and around the fire with the young adults. Above all, this is a shepherd who carries a genuine, Spirit-driven burden to see the next generation formed in the faith and their families strengthened for a lifetime.

This is also a seasoned leader. The Family Ministries Pastor supervises one of the largest ministry staff teams at First Pres; five full-time directors spanning Preschool, Kids, Youth, Young Adults, and Family Ministries administration. This person must be as comfortable coaching a director through a hard personnel conversation as they are leading a parent workshop or preaching on a Sunday morning. Warmth and grit. Vision and execution. Pastoral heart and organizational intelligence.

The right person will join First Pres at a moment of health, momentum, and possibility and will shape how this congregation raises up the next generation of disciples for decades to come.

FIRST PRES, COLORADO SPRINGS

First Presbyterian Church has faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the heart of Colorado Springs since 1872. Faithful to the wisdom of the past and devoted to the mission of today, First Pres endeavors to be Light and Life for the City.

First Pres exists to see lives transformed in the power of Christ, shaping believers into Christian disciples who proclaim the Light of the Gospel and demonstrate the Life of Jesus to our City, bringing many to saving faith in Christ and the whole world to glorify God.

First Pres is a member of ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, and is firmly committed to ECO's Essential Theological Tenets, polity, and core competencies. Candidates should be comfortable operating within an Evangelical, Reformed, and Egalitarian theological framework.

THE ROLE

The Family Ministries Pastor oversees First Pres's full ministry to kids, teenagers, young adults, and their families - ensuring that First Pres is a great place to raise children in the Lord and a community where families are genuinely strengthened and supported. This position reports to the Executive Pastor/Head of Staff and directly supervises the Family Ministries Manager, Preschool Director, Kids Ministries Director, Youth Ministries Director, and Young Adult Director. Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000

This role calls for someone who:

  • Loves people deeply - someone for whom relationships are not a leadership strategy but a genuine expression of who they are. This person is known and loved by families because they show up, remember names, and actually care.
  • Can lead and develop a large, multi-generational staff team - setting vision, giving clear direction, holding staff accountable with grace, and building a healthy, collaborative team culture across five distinct ministry areas.
  • Carries a genuine heart for marriages and families - not just children's ministry and youth group, but the whole family ecosystem: equipping parents as the primary disciplers of their children, walking with couples in hard seasons, and building structures that connect family ministry across every age and stage.
  • Is a stable, non-anxious presence - able to hold the weight of a complex, high-demand ministry without passing anxiety downward to staff or outward to families.
  • Thinks strategically about family ministry - evaluating programs ruthlessly, aligning curriculum to theology, and building systems that serve the mission rather than serve themselves.
  • Has proven experience executing a cohesive family ministry strategy - across children, youth, and young adult ministry areas, with the organizational credibility to lead directors who are experts in their own fields.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Oversee family ministry vision and strategy - develop, communicate, and execute a comprehensive strategy for ministry to kids, teenagers, young adults, and their families that is theologically grounded, developmentally informed, and aligned with the broader mission of First Pres.
  • Supervise and develop the Family Ministries staff team - provide direct leadership to five full-time directors, investing in their growth, evaluating their effectiveness, supporting their health, and building a staff culture marked by trust, accountability, and joy.
  • Champion marriage and parent ministry - lead First Pres's commitment to strengthening marriages and equipping parents as the primary spiritual formators of their children. Develop and resource programming and pastoral support for couples and families at every stage.
  • Ensure program and curriculum quality - regularly evaluate the effectiveness of events, programs, and curriculum across all family ministry areas; make courageous decisions about what to continue, improve, or discontinue.
  • Recruit, train, and mobilize volunteers - build and sustain the volunteer infrastructure that makes family ministry possible; develop leaders who own their areas with health and confidence.
  • Lead the Family Ministry Team of Session - serve as the pastoral liaison to the Session team overseeing family ministry; facilitate healthy governance and communication between staff and elders.
  • Partner cross-departmentally - collaborate actively with the Discipleship Pastor, Executive Pastor, and other ministry leaders to ensure family ministry is integrated into the whole life of the congregation, not siloed from it.
  • Serve families on the frontlines - be genuinely present and available to parents, kids, teenagers, and young adults; offer pastoral care, counseling, and crisis support as needed.
  • Carry out pastoral duties - preach and lead worship as assigned by the Executive Pastor; participate in weddings, funerals, hospital visitation, and other pastoral responsibilities.
  • Maintain ECO covenant relationships - cultivate connection with peer ECO pastors and stay actively involved in the Presbytery of the West.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from an accredited seminary.
  • Ordination in ECO or willingness to pursue ECO ordination.
  • Fully committed to ECO's Essential Tenets, polity, and Core Competencies.
  • Proven experience supervising ministry staff across multiple ministry areas.
  • Proven experience executing a cohesive family, youth, and children's ministry strategy.
  • Expertise in child and adolescent development, family systems, and parent ministry.
  • Demonstrated experience recruiting, developing, and deploying volunteer teams.
  • Experience with marriage ministry or family enrichment programming.

COLORADO SPRINGS

Colorado Springs sits at the base of America's Mountain: Pikes Peak. The city is home to multiple military installations (including the U.S. Air Force Academy), a thriving tech sector, and the headquarters of some of the nation's most influential Christian ministries (The Navigators, Focus on the Family, Compassion International, Young Life, etc.). Residents enjoy nearly 250 days of sunshine, with hiking, biking, skiing, and world-class parks within easy reach.

To Apply

Please visit firstprescos.org/employment.

Contact Greg Hartnett (ghartnett@firstprescos.org) with any questions.