Register or Login
Register or Login
Schedule a call
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA

Director of Christian Education & Family Ministries

  • Athens,
  • GA
  • Part-Time
  • Presbyterian Church (USA)

Job Summary

Description

This is a newly created, half-time position with primary responsibility for providing leadership to Covenant’s efforts in Christian education and family ministry. Covenant is a progressive, socially engaged, justice-oriented congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeking a creative, collaborative, and dependable leader who can help children, youth, and families grow as thoughtful, justice-seeking, and grace-filled disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Director will help organize a sustainable, volunteer-supported ministry of Christian formation. The initial priorities of the position are to strengthen Sunday morning education and participation for children and youth; rebuild Wednesday Night Covenant Connection as a welcoming entry point for families; equip and support volunteers; and develop meaningful opportunities that connect learning, worship, fellowship, service, and neighborhood outreach.

Covenant already has a small but growing Sunday evening youth program led by dedicated volunteers. The Director’s involvement in that program would be welcome, but weekly Sunday evening leadership is not the central expectation of this half-time position. The primary initial focus for youth will be engagement on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

The Director will work closely with the Christian Education Ministry Team, the pastor, families, volunteer leaders, and other ministry teams. The role is not designed for one person to carry every program alone. Its success will depend on listening well, building relationships, recruiting and equipping volunteers, and developing ministries that are engaging, manageable, and sustainable.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Volunteer Support

  • Be an enthusiastic leader and advocate for the ministry of Christian education at Covenant, in accordance with our vision and in close partnership with the Christian Education Ministry Team.
  • Recruit, engage, inspire, equip, and support volunteers for ministries and programs overseen by the Christian Education Ministry Team.
  • Listen to children, youth, parents, volunteers, and other members of the congregation, and use their insights to develop helpful and relevant ministries.
  • Coordinate with the pastor, staff, and other ministry teams so that Christian education functions as a pathway into worship, belonging, service, and deeper discipleship rather than as an isolated program area.

Sunday School and Worship

  • Review, procure, and/or develop Sunday School curriculum for children (through 4th grade) and youth (5th through 12th grades). Materials should be easy for volunteers to step in and lead with limited preparation.
  • Recruit, schedule, orient, and support Sunday School teachers and other volunteers.
  • Strengthen opportunities for youth to gather, learn, serve, and exercise leadership on Sunday mornings.
  • Advise on adult Sunday School class materials as requested.
  • Assist with Time for Children and other opportunities for children’s and youth participation in worship.

Wednesday Night Covenant Connection

  • Rebuild Wednesday Night Covenant Connection (5:30 PM family meal; 6:15 PM children’s, youth, and adult activities; childcare) as a true entry point and opportunity for family ministry.
  • Plan, schedule, and facilitate children’s and youth activities related to the mission of the Christian Education Ministry Team, and coordinate with other ministry teams as appropriate.
  • Help create a welcoming rhythm in which current Covenant families and newcomers from the neighborhood can share a meal, form relationships, and grow in faith.

Children, Youth, Family, and Neighborhood Ministry

  • Plan children’s and youth activities directed to the neighborhood, both as part of events Covenant already holds (such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Fall BBQ, and Strawberry Festival) and through new outreach events.
  • Plan, recruit, promote, and deliver a Vacation Bible School program in the summer for children in the congregation and surrounding community.
  • Advise on activities for adults that provide fellowship, support, and learning, timed when possible to coincide with children’s and youth activities.
  • Develop and coordinate occasional intergenerational serve-and-learn projects, such as a Green Dream Saturday or a visit to Jubilee Partners.
  • Work with dedicated youth volunteers and the pastor to strengthen a coherent outreach to youth, and to support Sunday evening youth gatherings as schedule and priorities permit. Such involvement will be planned collaboratively and included within the position’s 20-hour workweek.

Desired Skills

  • Passion for Christian education and faith formation in a congregational setting.
  • Successful professional or substantial volunteer experience in Christian education leadership in the PC(USA), or a similar denomination, is strongly preferred.
  • Educational background or training in Christian education, theology, ministry, education, or a related discipline is preferred.
  • Strong skills in verbal and written communication, organization, administration, and collaborative planning.
  • Familiarity with promotional material development, social media, and website editing would be a plus.
  • Willingness to listen to and work alongside families in the development of helpful, relevant ministries.
  • Ability to recruit, engage, inspire, equip, and support volunteers.
  • Ability to work successfully in a team environment within a progressive, inclusive, and social justice-oriented congregation of the PC(USA).

INCLUSION

Full Inclusion

Salary

$27,500 – $32,500

Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with experience and education, and exceeds the minimum terms of call guidelines of Northeast Georgia Presbytery with respect to salary and benefits.

Benefits:

  • Continuing education allowance
  • Professional expense allowance
  • Paid vacation and study leave
  • Medical coverage through the PC(USA) Board of Pensions is available and negotiable.
Apply now

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.