Basics

Position Title: Pastor of Student Ministries
Immediate Supervisor: Associate Pastor

Overview

Parkside Church is part of the Christian & Missionary Alliance and is committed to helping people love God and make disciples who make disciples. With an average Sunday attendance of approximately 300 people and a current youth group of 30 students, Parkside Church is pursuing practices that deepen spiritual formation, authentic community, and Kingdom impact in Waconia and the surrounding communities.

We are seeking a full time Pastor of Student Ministries who loves Jesus, loves students, and is eager to build a transformational and growing ministry that reaches middle school and high school students. This role focuses on creating environments where students encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, develop lasting relationships, and learn to live on mission. The Pastor of Student Ministries will equip volunteers, partner with parents, engage the community and build a Christ-centered culture of belonging and spiritual growth.

Qualifications

1. Spiritual Qualifications

A personal, healthy and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Commitment to the mission, purpose, vision, doctrine, and ministry philosophy of Parkside Church and the Christian & Missionary Alliance.
A lifestyle marked by integrity, humility, teachability, and the fruit of the Spirit, etc.

2. Professional Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in ministry, youth ministry, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
Relevant and vital experience working with youth in a church or ministry context.
Strong communication, teaching, and interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to lead, recruit, develop, and care for volunteers.
Ability to build trust and rapport with both students and parents.
Organized, reliable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
Accredited with or willing to be accredited with the C&MA.
Consecrated & Ordained with or willing to be with the C&MA.

3. Personal Attributes

Relational, energetic, and approachable.
Passionate about discipling students and reaching the lost.
Creative, adaptable, and proactive.
A team player with a collaborative spirit.

Work Week

Full-time salaried, exempt (40+ hours a week, as required for healthy living)
Includes weekly youth gatherings, Sunday mornings, office hours, and special events/retreats.
Occasional Friday & Saturday Special Events
Holiday Services (All staff expectation)

Compensation

Salary & Housing: Will be based on experience, education, and qualifications.
Benefits: Paid PTO; health care stipend; retirement match; cell phone allowance, expense reimbursement plan.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Vision & Leadership

Develop and communicate a compelling, Spirit-led vision for youth ministry aligned with Parkside’s mission and values.
Establish a healthy culture of discipleship, worship, community, and outreach.
Provide leadership to grow youth ministry in both depth and reach.

2. Weekly Youth Programming

Plan and lead separate weekly middle school and high school gatherings that are biblically grounded, engaging, and welcoming to new students.
Serve as the primary teacher of Scripture in ways that connect with students and encourage real-life application.
Integrate small groups, worship, relational connection, and student participation into weekly programs.

3. Discipleship & Spiritual Formation

Develop where appropriate, personal, pastoral, relational discipleship connections and spiritual formation can take root individually and across all student groupings without favoritism.
Create a clear discipleship pathway for students at all stages of spiritual maturity – utilizing John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way as a foundational understanding of being with Jesus, becoming like him, and doing as he did.
Develop small group structures and mentoring relationships.
Provide and fully engage retreats, service opportunities, mission experiences, and leadership development environments.

4. Volunteer Recruitment & Development

Recruit, train, equip, and encourage a team of adult youth leaders, drawing from both the Parkside Church body and Crown College students or those within proximity.
Empower leaders to build relationships, disciple students, and facilitate small groups.
Maintain consistent communication, coaching, and appreciation for volunteers.

5. Parent & Family Partnership

Maintain regular communication with parents regarding ministry events, vision, teaching themes, and helpful discipleship resources.
Support and encourage parents as the primary spiritual influencers in their student’s life.

6. Outreach & Community Engagement

Build relationships within local schools, area sports teams, student interest groups and community spaces.
Create welcoming, relational, and invitational environments for unchurched and de-churched students.
Plan outreach events designed to expand the reach of the youth ministry.
Encourage student-led relational evangelism and peer invitation.

7. Administration & Organization

Manage the youth ministry budget with excellent accountability, integrity and stewardship.
Oversee and engage healthy communication channels (email, church website/app, social media).
Plan retreats, mission trips, service projects, and special events.
Ensure adherence to Parkside and C&MA child protection policies, including background checks and safety protocols.
Maintain a reliable and organized ministry calendar.
Maintain an ordered and clean office space as well as all ministry activity spaces utilized whether short-term or long-term.

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