Director of Youth Ministry

Department: Faith Formation

Reports to: Pastor of Faith Formation

Supervises: Age-Level Ministry Administrative Assistant (shared)

Salary and Benefits: Full-time position, salary commensurate with experience.  Position includes health, pension, and vacation benefits 


Position Summary:
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is seeking a dynamic, visionary, and deeply relational layperson to serve as Director of Youth Ministry. In this position, they will lead and grow a vibrant, inclusive ministry serving students from 6th through 12th grade.

The Director of Youth Ministry is responsible for providing theological education, spiritual development, and support to students and their parents and/or guardians. This leader will cultivate a welcoming environment where students and families experience belonging, spiritual growth, and joyful connection. The Director of Youth Ministry ensures developmentally and theologically appropriate materials and activities are utilized in all youth activities. 

 

The ideal candidate will bring both strategic leadership and a warm, charismatic presence that connects naturally with students, parents, volunteers, and staff in a collaborative manner.

 

About St. Paul’s Youth:
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is both an established and an evolving congregation with an average Sunday morning attendance of around 400. Founded in 1906 and in our current location and building since 1929, our congregation has a rich history within the city of Houston. Since the 1980s, we have worshipped in an Anglican style and emphasized sacred music for all ages. Even as we maintain these traditions, we seek to be responsive to the world around us, culturally relevant, and able to speak to a new generation. Our congregation is a city-wide church, with congregants who reside in all parts of the Greater Houston Area. In addition to this geographic diversity, our congregation embodies diversity in socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation terms. A successful leader at St. Paul’s will be able to honor the tradition, will be comfortable with our worship style, and will embrace change, growth, and innovation.

Youth are valued members of St. Paul’s, not just for their future potential, but for their present gifts. They are essential to our celebration of God's presence in our midst. As participants and leaders, youth are an integral part of worship, learning, caring, and missions at St. Paul’s. To that end, St. Paul’s offers a variety of opportunities for students to learn, grow, engage, and lead. Weekly Sunday School classes and discipleship groups, seasonal mission trips and retreats, and youth worship services are part of the rhythm of youth ministry. St. Paul’s Youth currently includes welcoming students from nearby schools for Wednesday afternoon Youth Midweek and fostering our partnership with the Nehemiah Center’s after-school program.

Key Responsibilities

Vision and Leadership

  • Develop and articulate a compelling, Christ-centered vision for youth ministry aligned with the mission and theology of The United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

  • Develop and implement vision and strategies for growing the youth ministry along measurable metrics.

  • Serve as an advocate for youth and families within the broader church.

 

Program Development and Oversight

  • Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate, Bible-centered programs including educational experiences, Sunday School for youth, seasonal events, and special programming (e.g., retreats, mission trips, seasonal worship services).

  • Ensure curriculum reflects developmentally appropriate messaging that theologically aligns with The United Methodist Church.

  • Integrate faith formation opportunities that are engaging, relevant, and developmentally appropriate.

  • Oversee the Confirmation program in collaboration with pastoral staff and volunteer leaders.

  • Collaborate with the Youth Council and Faith Formation Team. 

  • Maintain an awareness of broader trends in youth ministry across denominations and within the city of Houston. 

  • Monitor metrics (attendance, visitors, etc.) to evaluate ongoing effectiveness of programming.

  • Foster appropriate partnerships to serve the St. Paul’s community. Examples might include with those student organizations that meet in our building or our immediate neighbors.

 

Volunteer Recruitment and Development

  • Create and implement an intentional and sustainable plan for recruiting, training, supporting, and retaining volunteers.

  • Foster a culture of teamwork and encouragement among volunteers and youth parents and families.

  • Seek appropriate opportunities for students to interface with and volunteer in other congregational ministries (e.g. acolyte ministry, volunteering with Children’s programming, all-church events, etc.)

 

Family Engagement

  • Build strong, authentic relationships with families, including communicating regularly and effectively with parents and caregivers.

  • Create opportunities for parent involvement and faith formation at home and provide space for parents and guardians to connect and to provide mutual support in raising their children.

 

Administration, Budget, and Safety

  • Maintain and enforce youth safety policies and procedures, including but not limited to Safe Sanctuary policies.

  • Oversee ministry logistics including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.

  • Demonstrate strong financial stewardship and responsible budget management.

  • Maintain accountability for expenses, ensuring alignment with approved budgets.

  • Coordinate with church staff to ensure smooth operations and alignment across ministries.

 

Communication

  • Develop a communication strategy that keeps families connected and aware of upcoming events, initiatives, and lessons.

  • Work with the Communications Team to utilize a variety of communication methods, including church newsletter, social media, printed collateral, and other methods.

 

Qualifications

Required

  • Commitment to a growing Christian faith and alignment with the values and teachings of The United Methodist Church

  • Bachelor’s degree

  • Proven leadership ability with experience building and guiding teams.

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; handles conflict in a timely manner and maintains appropriate confidentiality.

  • Strategic thinker with the ability to cast vision and execute effectively.

  • High level of organization, initiative, work efficiency, and adaptability

  • Valid driver’s license and comfort with driving a mini bus

Preferred

  • Degree in education, ministry, child development, or related field ideal, advanced degree and/or UMC Professional Certification

  • 3-5+ years of experience in large-church ministry

  • Experience working in diverse and multicultural environments

  • CDL (or interest in obtaining CDL) for driving standard bus

 

Personal Attributes

  • Love for youth and their families

  • Warm, energetic, and relational – naturally connects with both students and adults; has an approachable, engaging presence

  • Creative and forward-thinking with a passion for innovation in ministry

  • Emotionally intelligent, culturally aware, thoughtful, and kind

  • Collaborative team player who thrives in a staff environment and values the feedback of parents, families, and other staff

 

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Rev. Trey Burns, Pastor of Faith Formation at pastor@stpaulshouston.org by November 4.