Children’s Director/Pastor Position

Children’s Director/Pastor Job Description
Status: Part Time
Reports To: Lead Pastor
Apply: Email Pastor Mark at mark@journeychattanooga.com

Purpose: To create inviting and fun environments for children to learn and grow in their knowledge and love for God.

Position Summary:

Journey Church is seeking a spiritually mature, relationally gifted, and systems oriented Director of Children’s Ministry to provide leadership, coordination, and care for our children’s ministry (birth through 5th grade). This part-time role involves recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers, overseeing Sunday morning operations, and helping to shape the spiritual formation of our children and families through gospel-centered teaching and creative engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Leadership

• Recruit, train, and care for a team of volunteer teachers and helpers that includes adults and teenagers.
• Create and manage a consistent volunteer schedule through Planning Center.
• Equip volunteers with tools, resources, and encouragement to minister to children with excellence and love.

Sunday Morning Ministry Oversight

• Oversee the logistics and execution of all Children’s Ministry classes on Sunday mornings.
• Coordinate classroom environments, ensure teacher preparedness, and maintain safety and excellence in all kids spaces.
• Manage and troubleshoot the kids check-in/check-out process and maintain accurate records for child safety through Planning Center.
• Serve as the final backstop for any missing or absent volunteer needs when those moments arise.

Curriculum & Supplies

• Select and coordinate curriculum in alignment with Journey’s vision and values.
• Distribute curriculum and prep materials weekly for volunteers.
• Ensure classrooms are well-stocked and environments are welcoming and age-appropriate.

Outreach & Family Engagement

• Collaborate with church leadership to plan and lead outreach events that engage children and families in the community (e.g., seasonal family events, VBS-style gatherings, community service projects).
• Help cultivate a sense of belonging for new families through intentional hospitality and follow-up.
• Grow in cultural awareness and sensitivity as it pertains to serving and caring for kids and families from different backgrounds.

Worship Service Participation

• Support integration of occasional child-focused elements in worship services (e.g., children’s Bible stories, Scripture reading, child dedications).
• Partner with pastors and worship leaders to creatively involve children in the broader life of the church.

Other Duties as Assigned

• At times we find ourselves needing to be flexible and willing to take on tasks periodically that may not always fall within our specific job description. Being a staff member of Journey Church will likely mean that you will be asked to help pitch in from time to time with various short term assignments or projects.

Ideal Candidate Will Have

• A growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ and a high view of Scripture.
• A passion for children and families, and a heart to see them grow in love for Jesus.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to create and maintain good relationships with staff and congregants
• Experience leading or serving in children’s ministry in a church setting.
• The ability to equip and encourage volunteers with grace and clarity.
• A team-oriented spirit with a proactive and flexible work ethic.
• Experience and cultural sensitivity to support and care for children from a wide range of familial backgrounds—including but not limited to single-parent households, blended or divorced households, children with unchurched backgrounds, adoptive and/or foster families, and neurodivergent children.