Director of Family & Youth Ministries

At Open Door Churches, we are passionate about nurturing the holistic growth and well-being of kids, teens, and their families in the Salem-Keizer area. As a vibrant part of the United Methodist Church, we’re excited to introduce a new collaborative role dedicated to fostering connections and supporting our young community members to enable them to thrive.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated follower of Jesus who will play a pivotal role in welcoming and connecting kids, teens, and their families into faith community. This unique position is designed to cultivate relationships, support parents, and coordinate impactful events while embodying our core values of inclusivity and love.

This full-time position will coordinate and support children’s ministry primarily through First United Methodist Church of Salem and Morningside United Methodist Church. This position will facilitate youth ministry for the Open Door Church collective of five churches. 

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with Kids and Teens:

  • Build genuine connections and trust with children and teenagers.

  • Foster spiritual growth through engaging and meaningful faith-based activities and experiences.

• Support and Encourage Parents:

  • Provide resources and guidance to parents as they nurture their children’s faith journey.

  • Communicate effectively and build strong partnerships with families to support their involvement in church life.

• Coordinate Events and Volunteers:

  • Organize and manage events for youth and family ministries.

  • Equip and empower volunteers to contribute effectively, fostering a collaborative and connected community.

• Leadership:

  • Network with community organizations to develop partnership opportunities

  • Supervise faith educators, nursery staff, and children’s ministry volunteers. 

  • Serve as an advocate for family ministry with staff, congregation, and lay leaders.

  • Develop, implement, and manage budget for children, youth and family programs. 

  • Ensure Safe Sanctuary policy is followed and current. 

  • Manage children and youth building spaces, ensuring spaces adequately meet the needs of the ministries

  • Participate in all church staff meetings and partner in church projects as needed

• Embody Inclusive Spirituality:

  • Engage in spiritual practices that reflect a wholehearted dedication to God and the well-being of others.

  • Demonstrate a deep commitment to equity and inclusivity, particularly affirming the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Serve as a healthy and accessible role model of servant leadership 

  • Provide children, youth, and families with pastoral care as appropriate 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Theology, Ministry or related field.  Equivalent experience in the field of education or children's ministries may substitute.

• Five years of experience in a leadership/management role in Children, Youth, and Family Ministries.

• Substantial knowledge of Christian education curriculum options 

• Able to build positive and constructive relationships with children, youth and their parents 

• Computer literacy that includes a familiarity with Microsoft Office suite & Google Drive.

Necessary Attributes

• A spiritually mature Christian with a strong sense of calling to children, youth, and family ministry 

• Affirming of the LGBTQ+ community 

• Commitment to practicing anti-racism 

• Social justice-oriented theology 

• Working knowledge of child development and youth culture 

• Excellent time management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize work

• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills 

• Proven planning, organization and problem-solving skills

• Proven ability to leverage and mobilize volunteers and build community 

• Able to utilize & leverage technology and social media to meet people where they are at appropriately 

• Creative thinker, open to new ideas, improving work processes 

• Strong attention to detail 

• Approachable, open-minded, flexible and adaptable

Why Join Us? 

By joining the Open Door Church team, you’ll have the opportunity to make a profound impact in the lives of our youngest members and their families. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where your contributions will help shape the future of our community.

If you are enthusiastic about fostering faith, building connections, and supporting families with heart and dedication, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position.  

Additional Information

Employment with Open Door Churches provides paid vacation and sick leave, 10 paid holidays per year, a health benefit package and eligibility to enroll in the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) a 403(b) retirement plan.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and passion for this role to pastorjenny@opendoorchurches.org. 

Appointment to this position is contingent upon obtaining satisfactory results from a criminal background check.

This congregation is committed to being a radically loving and welcoming community of faith, centered in the good news of Jesus Christ, which is for all people. Therefore, in faithfulness to the gospel and our United Methodist heritage, and to the best of our ability, we promise to provide programs, ministries, and pastoral care to all who seek God in this place. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.