Youth Pastor

Indian Run United Methodist Church is seeking a Youth Pastor to lead and develop our ministry with middle and high school youth in grades 6–12.

We're looking for someone who believes that youth ministry is about more than creating great programs. It is about creating a community where young people are known, valued, challenged in their faith, equipped to lead, connected to the life of the church, and supported by adults who care about them.

The Opportunity

The Youth Pastor will provide vision and leadership for a vibrant, relational Youth Ministry while building a team of adults and youth who share in the work of ministry. This is a position for someone who loves teenagers, enjoys building relationships, and is energized by helping young people discover what it means to follow Jesus.

The Youth Pastor will:

• Develop and lead a vision for Youth Ministry that reflects the mission, vision, and core values of Indian Run United Methodist Church.
• Create opportunities for youth to grow in faith, ask questions, explore their beliefs, serve others, and practice following the way of Jesus in everyday life.
• Build and empower a team of adult and youth leaders rather than carrying the ministry alone.
• Develop youth as leaders and give them meaningful opportunities to serve and contribute to the life of the church.
• Lead our school-year confirmation program.
• Build strong relationships with youth and their families and be present in the significant experiences and transitions of adolescence.
• Coordinate and oversee Youth Ministry programming, including Sunday morning, mid-week, mission, service, and social experiences.
• Develop mission and service opportunities that connect faith with the needs of the church, community, and world.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Children’s Ministries and other church staff to support youth and families through significant transitions.
• Connect youth and families with opportunities beyond Indian Run, including United Methodist conference and district events, scholarships, internships, and other programs.

We're looking for a Youth Pastor who is:

Relational. You genuinely enjoy being with teenagers and can build authentic, trusting relationships with youth, parents, volunteers, and colleagues.

Spiritually grounded. Your Christian faith is authentic and growing, and you are able to help young people explore faith and practice following Jesus.

Youth-focused. You understand the developmental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of adolescents and know how to engage them in meaningful ways.

A leader. You know how to recruit, equip, encourage, and empower others. You see volunteers and young people not simply as people who help with your ministry, but as partners in ministry.

Organized and accountable. You can manage multiple responsibilities, plan ahead, communicate clearly, follow through on commitments, and work independently when necessary.

Qualifications

• A committed Christian faith and a willingness to teach and engage youth in United Methodist theology and practice.
• A bachelor’s degree and/or at least four years of relevant experience in youth ministry, pastoral ministry, education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with middle and high school youth.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and develop adult volunteers.
• Ability to understand and effectively utilize the technology and digital communication platforms used by youth, including social media and other emerging forms of communication.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks and Safe Sanctuary training.

It is vital that our staff is in full alignment with our mission and core values. You can review them at https://www.indianrun.org/mission-core-values.

About Indian Run United Methodist Church

Indian Run United Methodist Church is a community seeking to “Grow love in ourselves, our families, our community, and the world so that more people will know and follow the way of Jesus.” Our vision is to be “More than Sunday. More than ‘Church.’” We value authenticity, creating a place that is safe for all, having adventurous faith where questions are welcome, putting our beliefs into action, and building relational community.

Why This Role Matters

We believe young people are not simply the future of the church—they are an important part of the church right now. We want our Youth Pastor to help us create a ministry where teenagers can ask honest questions, develop meaningful relationships, discover their gifts, grow in faith, and find their place in the life of the church.

To Apply

If you are passionate about young people, relational ministry, and helping youth discover a life of faith, we would love to hear from you. Please submit a résumé and a brief cover letter describing your interest in the position and why you believe your skills and experience would be a good fit for Indian Run United Methodist Church. More information can be found at www.indianrun.org/hiring.

Pay: From $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person