Pastor of Youth

Bridgetown believes in the participation of all people at every life stage in practicing the way of Jesus. We believe that to be an apprentice of Jesus of Nazareth is to order your life around three goals: be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. Our dream is that as we live this way, our lives, our communities, and our city, will be transformed.

Role Summary:

We believe the emerging generations are as much a part of the church as adults and therefore should be cared for, taught, and equipped to partner with Jesus in seeing His Kingdom come in Portland as it is in Heaven.

The Pastor of Youth is the leader overseeing our ministry to middle school and high school students. He or she will work to develop an ecosystem in which students can mature into passionately engaged followers of Jesus. This will necessarily involve both smaller group mentoring and larger corporate experiences of worship, community, and mission. The Pastor of Youth is also responsible for relating effectively to and caring for parents and the youth volunteer team in addition to the students themselves.

This role works in harmony with the Pastor of Kids and Families as well as the broader pastoral staff and has a firm grasp on the purpose, values and strategy of Bridgetown Church while carrying out its mission. The Pastor of Youth is responsible for providing environments that are safe, centered on discipleship and that motivate young people to live like Jesus. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Develop an environment of holistic discipleship for middle school and high school students
• Plan, manage, and lead weekly youth gatherings where students experience God’s presence, find a community to belong to, and are offered a compelling vision for life with Jesus
• Plan, manage, and lead youth curriculum
• Regularly teach the Scriptures with conviction, compassion, and care and particular attention to the questions and narratives these students are navigating
• Plan, manage, and lead middle and high school school youth outings, camps, and other events 
• Create opportunities to engage friends of existing students and other unchurched youth in the wider community, drawing them into community and exposing them to Jesus
• Oversee youth and student leaders and provide training, teaching, equipping and organizing for the volunteer staff of youth workers
• Provide pastoral care to students both directly and through the youth team, responding to urgent needs as they arise 
• Connect and collaborate with Portland youth worker network
• In consultation with supervisor, develop an annual budget for the youth ministry and steward resources accordingly

General Pastoral Expectations:

• Theologically aligned with Bridgetown’s ministry philosophy and DNA 
• Commissioned by the elders of Bridgetown Church
• Agree with, and adhere to, the leadership structure of Bridgetown Church
• Respond to all staff/volunteer concerns in a timely manner
• Attend weekly Bridgetown staff meeting 
• Attend Bridgetown pastoral and staff events 
• Attend the weekly gatherings 
• Sacerdotal duties of baptism, weddings, teaching, spiritual counseling, administration of church affairs, communion, funerals, and the regular conducting of worship services 

Minimum Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• Living within character qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-13
• Following the Bridgetown Church staff rhythms of Sabbath, prayer, and Rule of Life.
• Bachelor's degree
• At least 2 years experience in similar field
• Experience successfully leading, recruiting and developing a team of volunteers
• Can teach well and possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of emotional intelligence and ability to relate well to different populations
• Vision driven and action orientated – an inherent desire to achieve exceptional results
• Self-starter who is organized and responsible
• Able to live within the city limits of Portland

Physical Requirements: 

• Sit Sit frequently 
• Stand Stand occasionally, punctuated by opportunity to sit at short, varying intervals 
• Walk Walk level surfaces frequently 
• Climb Walk stairs on an occasional basis. 
• Hand Dexterity Frequent requirement for hand dexterity for computer and telephone usage, as well as writing. 
• Sensory/Vision Must be able to read clearly. 
• Hearing Must be able to hear  
• Speech/Language Must have strong command of the English language and be able to be clearly understood when speaking. 

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the future. 

Bridgetown Church reserves the right to revise the duties set forth in this job description at its discretion.