Director of Children, Youth, and Families

About the role

The mission of Grace Chicago, launched in 2002, is to actively seek the good of individuals and the welfare of the city by embracing the good news of God’s redemptive promise. We are a congregation within the Reformed Church in America’s (RCA) City Classis. Our community is defined by the tagline: Christ at the center, Chicago all around. We carry out this mission through thoughtful Sunday worship featuring Communion as the center of our liturgy and by fostering a community that feels like family.

Essential Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Spiritual Formation of Children and Families (30%)
  • Big Picture Vision: Develop and execute a long-term strategic vision for Grace Kids (nursery through 5th grade) and our growing middle and high school programs.
  • Spiritual Nurture: Seed and steward the spiritual imaginations of children, helping them bring their whole selves to a lifelong faith.
  • Liturgical Integration: Collaborate with the Senior Pastor to ensure weekly services and special events (specifically Advent and Lent) intentionally include and welcome children.
  • Holistic Growth: Look for ongoing opportunities to grow the Grace Kids program and engage youth as vital members of the community.
  • Community and Justice: Articulate the importance of justice and service while creating opportunities for children, youth, and families to serve the wider community.
• Pastoral Leadership & RCA Engagement (10%)
  • Worship & Preaching: Assist the Senior Pastor in planning worship services, writing prayers and reflections, and openness to preaching occasionally.
  • Teaching: Provide theological leadership and teaching for both youth and the broader congregation.
  • Denominational Activity: Actively participate in the life of the City Classis of the RCA, including in theological dialogue.
  • Openness to Ordination Path: Willingness to explore or pursue ordination within the Reformed Church in America.
• Family Discipleship & Relational Care (30%)
  • Intentional Relationships: Build meaningful, ongoing pastoral relationships with children, youth, and their parents.
  • Parent Support: Regularly update parents on curriculum and provide resources to help families practice faith together at home.
  • Community Building: Plan and execute events that foster a culture of interdependence and hospitality among families.
• Sunday Operations & Volunteer Management (20%)
  • Program Oversight: Lead Sunday morning programming for ages 0-18, ensuring a safe, hospitable, and secure environment.
  • Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and nurture a dependable team of volunteers and designated staff (including nursery) who teach “Follow Me” curriculum each Sunday.
  • Volunteer Support: Lead team check-ins and oversee Sunday morning logistics and hands-on coordination.
• Administration & Collaboration (10%)
  • Advisory Collaboration: Attend weekly staff meetings as well as meet monthly with the Grace Kids Advisory Team (GKAT). The Director will also meet with the church consistory quarterly for support and strategic planning.
  • Operations: Manage the program budget, maintain supplies, and keep an accurate roster/database of children and youth.
  • Communication: Act as a self-starter in managing detail-oriented projects and communicating effectively with all stakeholders.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 3–5 years of ministry experience. Urban or large metropolitan ministry experience preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required; Master of Divinity or progress toward one is preferred.
• Theological Competency: Deep biblical literacy and the ability to engage with complex theological texts and ideas. Willingness to reflect the beliefs, tenets, and theological positions of Grace Chicago Church in personal conduct and behaviors.
• Personal Characteristics: High emotional intelligence, spiritual maturity, and the empathy to engage with a range of human emotions. Ability to put people at ease and foster a hospitable environment for the congregation, new members, and visitors.
• Availability: Ability to work evenings and weekends (Sunday mornings required).
• Physical: Ability to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally.

Benefits

$65,000 + Benefits (Health Insurance and approved business expenses)