Register or Login
Register or Login
Schedule a call

This Unique Opportunity Allows You To:

  • Build and shape a thriving next generation ministry. Step into a ministry with strong foundations and the freedom to develop a volunteer leadership team, cultivate a culture of belonging, and create engaging environments where children, youth, and families can flourish.
  • Serve in a church that is deeply woven into the life of its community. Join a congregation known for consistent, year-round outreach—from community meals and weather relief stations to partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and neighboring churches – where serving the community is a way of life, not an occasional event.
  • Grow alongside an experienced and strategic leadership team. Work closely with a collaborative pastor and supportive staff who value innovation, shared leadership, and investing in one another’s growth. For the right candidate, the role also offers potential to expand into broader pastoral responsibilities over time.

Job Summary

Responsibilities

  • Develop and lead a meaningful ministry for children, youth, and their families through weekly programming, special events, discipleship opportunities, and meaningful relationship-building.
  • Recruit, equip, and empower a sustainable volunteer leadership team by casting vision, providing training, and creating ownership among parents and other adult leaders.
  • Create welcoming, engaging spaces where young people experience belonging, spiritual growth, and authentic community, encouraging creativity through events, service opportunities, retreats, and student-led initiatives.
  • Partner with families, church leaders, and community organizations to strengthen intergenerational ministry and connect children and students with the church’s mission of serving the Columbia community.

Desired Skills

  • A personable leader who is both an organizer and a doer, able to build teams, follow through on ideas, and foster meaningful connections with children, students, parents, and volunteers.
  • An emotionally intelligent communicator who can navigate an intergenerational congregation with humility, listen well, cast vision, and inspire others to invest in the next generation.
  • A collaborative ministry leader who embraces the church’s mission-minded culture, enjoys partnering across churches and community organizations, and has a passion for helping young people discover faith, purpose, and belonging.

Salary

$65,000 per year

Benefits

  • Paid Time Off
  • Health Stipend
  • Retirement Contribution
  • Continuing Education Opportunities
  • Relocation Assistance

What does success look like at Columbia First United Methodist Church?

This church seeks an Associate Pastor for Age-Level Ministries who will build a thriving, relationship-centered ministry along with developing and equipping a committed team of volunteer leaders, empowering parents and church members to share ownership of the ministry. Students will know they have a safe, creative place to connect – whether through worship, discipleship, mission experiences, or community-building events they help shape themselves.
 
As you cultivate new relationships and build on the church’s longstanding reputation for serving Columbia, you’ll help create a sustainable ministry that not only engages young people today but inspires future generations to grow in faith and discover lives of purpose and service.

WHO IS COLUMBIA FUMC?

For generations, this congregation has been a trusted presence in Columbia, known for its steady faithfulness, welcoming spirit, and commitment to being a church for the whole community. While rooted in tradition, the church is embracing the future with optimism.

 

Financially healthy, deeply connected to the local community, and eager to invest in the next generation, the congregation values authentic relationships, thoughtful ministry, and a willingness to learn and grow together. This is a church that says, “How can we say yes?”

Make The Move To Columbia

Located just 45 minutes south of Nashville, Columbia, Tennessee, offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and exciting growth. Its historic downtown is filled with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and year-round community events, while beautiful parks, outdoor recreation, and a thriving arts scene create a welcoming place to call home. Families appreciate the area’s strong sense of community, excellent recreational opportunities, and a pace of life that encourages meaningful relationships.

As one of Middle Tennessee’s fastest-growing communities, Columbia continues to attract young families, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking for an affordable place to live without sacrificing access to the amenities of a major metropolitan area. With Nashville’s music, sports, and cultural attractions just a short drive away, residents enjoy the best of both worlds—a vibrant, growing community with deep roots and endless opportunities to invest in the lives of neighbors.

Ready to Apply?

You must register or login to apply for a position.

Register a new account
Login

Stay Inspired

Subscribe to receive a monthly roundup of fresh insights and free tools for senior ministry leaders.