Director of Christian Education, Part-Time, UCC: Kingston, RI
Kingston Congregational Church’s (KCC) Director of Christian Education is a valuable member of our staff team whose primary responsibility is to oversee and support Christian education and faith formation ministries for all ages. Our Director of Christian Education coordinates and works with the Board of Christian Education, the Pastor and other church leaders and members, to create and sustain programs, activities, events and resources that enable members of all ages to deepen their understanding and practice of their Christian faith. As Director of Christian Education, you will have a primary leadership role for children’s and family/intergenerational programs, and a direct support role for youth and adult programs. Your creativity, organization, warmth and faith will assist us in moving toward our vision and goals for faith formation at KCC.
Our Vision and Goals for Christian Education and Faith Formation:
After the disruption of the past few years that have included a world-wide pandemic and a decline in participation in religious life in general, we envision the next few years to be a time of renewing, rethinking and reforming our CE and faith formation programs. We have a small corp of dedicated and generous Church School leaders and active families and we wish to renew and refresh our Sunday morning programs with their help. We also want to reach out and reengage with families whose participation has declined and promote our Sunday morning Church School to new neighbors. We want to rethink how we invite the larger community to explore Christian faith by launching a “Messy Church” (www.messychurchusa.org) program. We wish to put greater focus on intergenerational learning and service, bringing all ages together to grow and give. We wish to revive our youth/teen programming after several years of dormancy. We intend to continue and build upon our strong foundation of adult faith formation (a weekly Bible study and a weekly small group). While we may never be a large church again, we envision a thriving, joyful, growing (in spirit and maybe numbers), diverse community, generously and faithfully serving the world as we deepen our own discipleship to Jesus Christ.
Responsibilities and Areas of Leadership:
- In partnership with the Board of Christian Education, the Pastor and other church leaders and members plan, lead, evaluate and improve current and anticipated CE offerings, including Church School, Confirmation, Youth Group and intergenerational programs.
- Convene and lead the planning team for a “Messy Church” ministry.
- Be a promoter and cheerleader for KCC’s CE and faith formation programs: communicate opportunities, actively invite participation and celebrate events and programs through available media.
- Nurture warm and caring relationships: among leaders, participants and newcomers, young and old.
- Be an active and positive participant on your teams: Board of Christian Ed, staff and event/ program task forces and volunteers.
- Help our CE program stay organized so we can function effectively and at our highest: create budgets, keep records, maintain resources, oversee CE spaces.
- Care for others and yourself by communicating and keeping your work/life balance.
- Be a role model for faith and learning by committing to life-long learning and availing yourself of relevant training.
Ministry Partners
The Director of Christian works most closely with the Board of Christian Education and the Pastor, both of whom support and evaluate your work. The Director of Christian Education works cooperatively with others in the educational program (volunteer teachers, youth advisors, etc.), the Church Staff (Office Administrator, Director of Music, Director of Communications Technology, Sexton), and other church boards in areas of mutual interest.
Needed Qualities:
- A person of Christian faith and commitment, able to provide leadership in the context of a wide range and diversity of beliefs, values, and needs.
- A team player. As a member of the staff and a colleague, ability to work cooperatively and in unity as a team player is paramount.
- Creativity and energy for experimentation with new ideas, and a positive, enthusiastic attitude.
- Skills: Human relations and interpersonal skills, communication skills in speaking and in writing, administrative skills, with strong abilities to attend to details.
- Education and experience: Sufficient educational background and experience to coordinate a program for a congregation. If you do not have experience in religious education, a willingness to engage in available certification/training programs and/or mentoring.
- Proof of a criminal background check (BCI) within the last two years and an update every three years thereafter
Terms of the Position
This is a part-time position, on average 15 hours per week, 48 weeks per year. Presence on Sunday mornings (approximately 3 hrs) is a must, with remaining flexible hours that coincide with the tasks that need to be accomplished.
Salary and Benefits: $16,000-$17,250 annual salary (according to experience and qualifications); FICA, and professional expense account. If training or mentoring is needed: continuing education funds negotiable.
Desired start date: August 2022 or earlier
Please send an email expressing interest to revjan@kingcongchurch.org