PASTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRIES (Full-Time)

PASTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRIES

Candidate Application Instructions

Welcome to Walnut Hill!

Thank you for your interest in the Pastor of Student Ministries position at Walnut Hill Community Church. Our Student Ministries serve students in grades 6-12 across our four campuses, with approximately 200 active students involved across the ministry.

Student ministry at Walnut Hill is more than a weekly program. Students gather for weekly midweek youth groups, biblical teaching, worship, small groups, outreach, retreats, camps, mission and service opportunities, and opportunities to serve within the life of the church on Sundays. We are looking for a leader who will help students encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, discover their calling, and impact the world for the Kingdom of God.

About the Position

The Pastor of Student Ministries provides vision, leadership, and oversight for Student Ministries across all Walnut Hill campuses. This person will work closely with Campus Pastors, Student Ministry staff, adult volunteers, student leaders, and parents to build a unified, healthy, Christ-centered ministry.

How to Apply

1. Review the Position Description Please read the attached position description carefully, including the responsibilities, qualifications, spiritual leadership expectations, and multi-campus nature of the role.

2. Complete the Candidate Questionnaire Complete the attached questionnaire thoughtfully and candidly. We want to learn about your relationship with Jesus, your call to ministry, your philosophy of Student Ministry, your leadership experience, and how you would shepherd students and families.

3. Record a Two-Minute Introduction Video Record a simple video of approximately two minutes introducing yourself. Tell us a little about who you are, why you are interested in this position, and what God is currently doing in your life. A polished production is not necessary - we simply want an opportunity to hear from you personally.

4. Submit a video of a recent message or teaching you have done.

4. Submit Your Materials Email your completed questionnaire and two-minute introduction video to Pastor Brian Bergen at [email protected]. If the videos are too large to attach, you may include a shareable link.

What Happens Next

Once we receive your materials, our team will take some time to review your questionnaire, introduction video, and teaching sample. We’re looking forward to getting to know you, hearing your heart for student ministry, and learning more about what God is doing in your life.

After our team has reviewed everything, we’ll be in touch with an update and let you know about any next steps in the interview process. Thank you for taking the time to apply - we’re excited to connect with you!

Thank you for prayerfully considering serving the next generation at Walnut Hill Community Church.

Pastor of Student Ministries

Reports to: Pastor of Ministries Position: Full-Time

Position Overview

The Pastor of Student Ministries is responsible for leading Walnut Hill's Student Ministries (Grades 6 - 12) to fully realize their part in the mission of the church: "Igniting a Passion for Jesus in Connecticut, New England, and Around the World." This position provides vision, leadership, and oversight for Student Ministries across all Walnut Hill campuses, partnering closely with Campus Pastors and Student Ministry leaders to ensure a unified and effective ministry strategy.

The Pastor of Student Ministries is accountable for the oversight, development, and direction of all student ministry Student Ministry Staff (paid), volunteers, students, and programs across all campuses, including future campuses. This individual will build and equip leaders, disciple students, partner with parents, develop healthy ministry systems, and ensure Student Ministries remain aligned with Walnut Hill's mission, vision, values, and theological convictions.

Specific Responsibilities

Student Ministry Staff Team Involvement

Student Ministry Team

• Lead team meetings.
• Take the lead in the development and implementation of the overall mission and vision of Student Ministries in collaboration with the Student Ministry Team.
• Coordinate the Walnut Hill Student Ministry Staff Team in the calendaring of events and activities.

Family Ministries Team

• Regularly coordinate with the Pastor of Ministries to ensure unified direction between Student Ministries and all-church family initiatives across campuses.

Teaching, Worship & Vision

• Provide biblical, Christ-centered teaching in student ministry environments.
• Develop an annual teaching strategy and oversee curriculum selection across campuses.
• Cast vision for Student Ministries in alignment with Walnut Hill's mission and values.
• Cultivate a culture of authentic worship by partnering with the Worship Ministry and teaching students the value of worship at Walnut Hill Community Church.
• Help students understand worship as a lifestyle through music, prayer, Scripture, obedience, generosity, service, and daily devotion to Christ.
• Equip volunteers and Student Ministry Staff to effectively teach and disciple students.

Discipleship

• Lead the Student Ministry Team to develop a culture of discipleship.
• Create opportunities for students to meet Jesus and grow in their faith.
• Empower students to serve within Walnut Hill and in their communities.
• Encourage evangelism and disciple-making among students.

Leadership Recruitment, Development & Communication

• Recruit, train, nurture, support, coach, and evaluate volunteers and Student Ministry Staff.
• Build leadership pipelines for volunteers and student leaders.
• Develop highly effective Ministry Leadership Teams.
• Provide regular volunteer training, appreciation, and communication.
• Lead regular ministry team meetings and coaching conversations.

Ministry Planning & Implementation

• Provide leadership by casting vision and implementing a ministry plan consistent with Walnut Hill's mission.
• Develop teaching, worship, prayer, discipleship, evangelism, and accountability strategies.
• Evaluate and implement age-appropriate curriculum and resources.
• Partner with families and provide opportunities for parent engagement.
• Establish systems for evaluating ministry effectiveness.

Parent Communication & Partnership

• Build intentional partnerships with parents.
• Maintain regular parent communication.
• Provide resources and training to equip parents to disciple their students.

Pastoral Care

• Provide spiritual care for students, families, Student Ministry Staff, and volunteers.
• In partnership with the Care Ministry, respond pastorally during crises and special needs.
• Offer encouragement, counsel, and support.

Administration

• Provide oversight of budget processes and ministry reporting.
• Maintain ministry databases, attendance records, and follow-up systems.
• Oversee registrations, logistics, communication, calendars, retreats, camps, and mission trips.
• Utilize church management systems effectively.

Policies, Procedures & Safety

• Ensure compliance with church safety and child protection policies.
• Oversee volunteer screening, background checks, and required training.
• Maintain appropriate supervision standards and emergency procedures.
• Promote a safe, secure, and welcoming ministry environment.

Budgeting & Ministry Planning

• Develop and manage the annual Student Ministry budget.
• Steward ministry resources with excellence and fiscal responsibility.
• Establish annual ministry goals and evaluate effectiveness.

Collaboration & Team Leadership

• Collaborate with Campus Pastors, Kids Ministry, Young Adults, Worship, Communications, Facilities, and Administration.
• Foster unity across campuses while contextualizing ministry locally.

Multi-Campus Leadership

• Provide leadership and coaching across all Walnut Hill campuses.
• Ensure consistency in curriculum, philosophy, safety, and volunteer development.
• Support future campus launches.

Outreach & Evangelism

• Develop outreach strategies for schools and communities.
• Lead local service opportunities, mission projects, and evangelistic initiatives.

Spiritual Leadership Expectations

• Maintain a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Model biblical character, humility, integrity, teachability, worship, and servant leadership.
• Participate fully in the life and leadership of Walnut Hill Community Church.

Work Environment

• Regular evening and weekend ministry responsibilities.
• Travel between campuses.
• Participate in camps, retreats, and mission trips.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Position Qualifications

• Unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ demonstrated through Christian maturity.
• Commitment to Walnut Hill Community Church's doctrinal positions.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Significant youth ministry leadership experience preferred.
• Strong visionary, organizational, communication, and relational leadership.
• Ability to recruit, develop, and lead leaders.
• Creative, innovative, organized, and able to meet deadlines.

Closing Statement

The Pastor of Student Ministries is more than a ministry leader, they are a shepherd and disciple-maker passionate about helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith, discover their purpose, and live for God’s Kingdom. As a full-time pastoral role, this position typically involves 45 - 50 hours per week, including active involvement in the life and ministry of Walnut Hill.

Candidate Questionnaire

1. Tell us about your relationship with Jesus, your call to ministry, and specifically why you believe God has called you to serve students.
2. Describe your philosophy of Student Ministry. What do you believe a healthy Student Ministry should accomplish, and what would you hope is true of a student by the time they graduate?
3. Student Ministry requires balancing biblical teaching, relationships, fun, outreach, worship, events and discipleship. How would you prioritize these areas, and what would that look like in a typical month of ministry?
4. Tell us about a ministry you inherited or led that needed improvement. What did you change, what did you intentionally leave alone, how did you bring people with you, and what was the result?
5. Student Ministry cannot be built around one pastor. Describe how you have recruited, developed, empowered and cared for adult volunteers and student leaders. How would you partner with parents in the discipleship of their students?
6. Please identify one or two theological, cultural, or ministry issues facing teenagers today that you believe require particular wisdom from a Student Pastor. How would you teach and pastor students through one of those issues while remaining faithful to Scripture and caring well for students and families?
7. Please provide a link to one recent message or teaching you have given to middle school or high school students. If one is not available online, you may send in a recording to [email protected].