Youth Ministry Leader

The Ecumenical SEED Youth Ministry in Cheney – a new partnership between Cheney Congregational Church, Episcopal, United Methodist, and Lutheran communities – is seeking applications for a newly created Youth Ministry Leader/Pastor position beginning September 1, 2026 (possibly earlier).

We are looking for somebody passionate about creating inclusive, relational, and thoughtful ministry with youth in the Cheney community. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and updated résumé to Pastor Damian Carruthers at rev.damian.carruthers@gmail.com.

This position is structured as a flexible 6–8 hour weekly commitment focused primarily on relational ministry, youth connection, and weekly gatherings. Additional hours for larger ministry events — such as retreats, overnight gatherings, service projects, or special outreach events — may be approved and compensated separately in coordination with the supervising board.

This is a new and developing ministry initiative. Rather than stepping into a pre-built program, the new Youth Ministry Leader/Pastor will help shape the vision, programming, gathering times, and overall direction of the ministry together with the supervising board and the youth themselves.

Supervision

Supervised by an Ecumenical Youth Ministry Board, with representatives from the United Methodist, Episcopal, and Congregational churches involved. These three churches have a long history of working together closely in different kind of ministry, especially a Campus Ministry “SEED” on the EWU Campus. In addition to board supervision, the youth ministry leader will meet weekly or bi-weekly with a designated mentor (a pastor or board member) for encouragement, visioning, and accountability. These meetings are intended to create a supportive space for reflection, dreaming about future ministry ideas, and adapting the ministry as it grows. This relational mentorship model ensures the leader is supported, inspired, and not working in isolation, while remaining accountable to the larger ministry board.

About the Ministry

This Progressive Youth Ministry is a joint, ecumenical initiative serving middle school and high school youth in Cheney. Rooted in progressive Christian faith, this ministry is:

• Fully LGBTQIA+ affirming
• Anti-racist and justice-oriented
• Deconstruction-safe, welcoming doubt, curiosity, and exploration
• Open to unchurched youth, youth from multiple traditions, and youth who are unsure what they believe

The ministry partners intentionally with SEED Campus Ministry at Eastern Washington University, creating bridges between youth ministry and campus ministry as students transition from high school to college.