Leadership Development Year

Leadership Development Year: This includes training and experience in the Children’s, Youth, Young Adults and Worship Ministries, plus opportunities in Media and Technology

Responsible to: Children’s Pastor or Youth, Worship and Creative Pastor or Young Adults Pastor, as appropriate.

Employed by: The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Christ Church Chorleywood

Purpose: To gain training and experience and invest in one of the areas of ministry at Christ Church under the direction of the lay pastor concerned.  However, if it is right for the individual and the ministry of Christ Church as a whole, a student will be able to experience the other areas of ministry during the year.

Aim: To model a godly example of Christian discipleship to the children, young people and young adults, who are part of the Christ Church family or connected to the church, whilst being trained and mentored with a view to exploring serving in Christian ministry beyond the role of student.

Responsibilities

Working in the Children’s, Youth, Young Adults and Worship Ministries

1.    Understand and model the values of these ministries and of Christ Church as a whole and help to support and encourage, as appropriate, the children, young people and young adults to grow in these values.

2.    Assist in the planning and delivery of weekly children’s, youth, young adults and worship activities, including Sunday Kids’ Ministry, midweek sessions, and holiday clubs and activities.

3.    Be a key assistant in the area served and support the pastor in the delivery of the vision, including assisting in developing all aspects of the ministry and helping in mentoring young leaders.

4.    Participate in outreach events targeting children and young families.

5.    Understand and support the Church of England’s safeguarding protocols and assist in ensuring safe, welcoming environments for children, young people and young adults.

6.    Support and assist the Vicar, clergy and other members of the staff team in the wider ministry of the church and all aspects of the work of Christ Church

Training Programme

1.    Commit to learning from the pastor concerned and to undertaking and completing assignments.

2.    Attend and fully invest in every aspect of the course at the external Christian college.

3.    Attend and commit to in-house training courses provided by the church.

 Working with the wider church:

1.    Be trained in supporting the wider ministry of Christ Church as directed by the pastors.

2.    Assist staff and volunteers in implementing biblical teaching appropriate to different age groups.

3.    Help generally within the church.

4.    During term time, promptly attend in person Listening Prayer and the weekly staff meeting (Tuesday mornings) and Pastoral Prayers (Wednesday mornings), and Mission, Children’s, Youth, Young Adults and Worship Prayers (Thursday mornings via Zoom).

5.    Be a committed member of the Christ Church family. Sunday services - a student may be asked to assist at the 8.30 am and/or 10.30 am services, but is required to attend and, if needed, assist at the 6.00 pm service, which our young people and young adults are encouraged to attend.

Skills, Qualities, and Experience required:

1.    A deep personal love for Jesus and a demonstrable desire to follow Him in all areas of one’s life.

2.    A mature Christian faith and walking with Jesus to inspire others.

3.    An eagerness to learn and be challenged to grow as a leader and as a follower of Jesus.

4.    Some experience of assisting in children’s, youth, young adults and worship ministries, or in other contexts, whether as a volunteer or in employment together with some basic skills as an assistant in planning, organising, teaching, and building relationships with children, young people and young adults.

5.    A desire to develop and enhance media, technical, computer and creative skills.

6.    A love for children, young people and young adults, and a passion for seeing them discover that Jesus is real and grow in their relationship with Him