Children and Families Minister

We are at an exciting time in the life of Hope Church. We recently formed a partnership with St Marys Islington enabling the churches and teams to have a greater impact as they work together. We are seeing new people join us every week and our church community is passionate about children being supported to follow Jesus. 

Good foundations have been laid and we have an established volunteer team. We long to seize the opportunities for meaningful and long-term ministry with children and their families.  The Children and Families minister will be a key part of enabling our vision and growing our work with children and families in ways that align with their skills and vision. 

The core role is estimated as 24hrs a week. For the right candidate we can however add additional responsibilities for marketing and communication and/or youth work enablement to the role with additional hours accordingly. The salary is pro-rata.

Hope is a wonderful, welcoming church, open to new ideas and committed to bringing and being God’s hope for and with the people of Islington. We are diverse demographically and in our theological convictions but unite around a charismatic evangelical spirituality. 

What we can offer you

• A strong and growing children’s ministry
• Excellent existing connections with local schools.
• A committed group of Sunday volunteers
• Whole hearted support from the congregation and PCC for our children's work
• Being part of a dynamic and supportive team in the context of partnership.
• Working alongside a full time Community Worker and wider ministry team
• A healthy budget to support the children’s work
• Good training and development opportunities
• Flexible working hours and options to enable a healthy work and life balance

About the role

We seek a creative and energetic leader as our Children and Families minister to enable the discipleship of children and families on Sundays and throughout the week. The Children and Families Minister will be responsible for:

• leading and overseeing all areas of children’s church from ages 0-11 
• Overseeing formation and discipleship amongst children and families,
• Supporting our schools ministry, 
• Mid week group development. 

Spiritual formation 

• Deliver and grow our Sunday children’s work, including coordinating the under 11s Sunday groups; ensuring that there is appropriate provision for under 11s every Sunday, whether in separate groups or as part of all-age services
• Build relationships with baptism families
• Active involvement in wider children’s ministry networks
• Creative input to all age services. 

Families

• Support and develop new ways of reaching local families.
• Resource parents seeking to support their children' s discipleship

Schools work

• Support the developing links between the church and local schools, including SMMA primary school which is on our doorstep.  

Volunteers

• Ensure that the Diocese of London and St Mary’s safeguarding policies and procedures are being correctly implemented
• Identifying, training and nurturing children’s church team volunteers

Wider ministry

• Participate in meetings of the whole staff team, regular supervision meetings with line manager and commitment to performance and development processes.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equal opportunities, both in relation to employment issues and service delivery, and adhere to the policies of Hope’s parochial church council
• Work constructively and generously with different team members and ministries

Additional Responsibilities for candidates seeking  more hours (Different weightings from within this list can be discussed as per skills and passion): 

Marketing and communications 

• Creating and disseminating marketing collateral for church initiatives and events. 

Youth enablement:

• Supporting the Volunteer led youth team 
• Participating in mid week youth engagement opportunities. 

Volunteer Coordination:

• Coordinating Volunteer participation across the church.
• Managing rotas on Planning Centre. 

This job description outlines the principal responsibilities and duties of the post holder.  The above duties cannot totally encompass or define all of the tasks that may be required of the post holder which may therefore vary from time to time, which will be handled within the line management process

About you

We recognise that to be great at your role, there are certain characteristics that are important and others that enable a good fit within our existing team and culture.

You will be a creative, enthusiastic person with a vibrant Christian faith and a longing to see the Church grow. You will be someone who can communicate the love of Christ to children and families and is able to release their gifts and champion their voice. You will be committed to the inclusion of all people. You will be able to work well as part of a team, be adaptable and have a positive attitude. You will be able to manage your time well and feel happy leading in your area of work. 

Some specific things we are looking for in any applicant:

Experience

• leading volunteer teams
• working well as part of a team
• engaging with local schools
• church-based children’s work & discipleship
• current safeguarding legislation

Gifts and abilities

• A warm and engaging personality
• Good and effective communicator
• Good IT skills
• Pastorally sensitive

Safeguarding

Hope is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.

You will need to attend all relevant safeguarding training and work according to our safeguarding policy.

The post is subject to a completed DBS and confidential declaration form. There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a Christian. 

How to Apply

To apply please request an application form from sonia@hopechurchislington.org

For a conversation about the post please contact Rev. Sonia Home to arrange a call. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 20th January 2025

Notes:

There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a Christian.

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

We expect the successful applicant to make Hope Church their home church.