Pastor, Next Generation (Children/Youth)

Brief Job Description

This is a full-time pastoral leadership role that requires someone who has a deep love for children and youth and a commitment to shepherding the faith of the next generation. As the Next Generation (Next Gen) pastor, you will be reporting to the Senior Pastor, and working collaboratively with the associate pastor and congregational pastors. You will lead the Next Gen Steering Committee, comprised of paid staff (Ministry Directors and Assistants) and volunteers (including Next Gen council representative and deacons from each congregation), to implement the vision for the Next Gen ministry of our church. You must lead a life that is above reproach according to biblical standards.

Overview of the Church’s History and Community

Edmonton Christian Community Church (ECCC) is a non-denominational evangelical Christian church, located in Edmonton, Canada,  established since 1983. In our 40 years, we grew from a single Cantonese speaking congregation to a multi-generational, multi-lingual and multi-congregational church. Our Vision 2025 for the church is: One church for God’s glory through life-sharing discipleship.

Currently ECCC has dedicated directors who lead the children's ministry. However, as the church grew to have more than 300 children and youth, whose parents are a part of Cantonese, English, Mandarin, and Saturday Church congregations, our ministries were reorganized and vision renewed. Children's ministry was amalgamated with youth ministry to form the new Next Gen ministry to promote continuity of vision, mission and implementation of discipleship strategies.

Next-Gen Vision and Mission

Our vision is to see the next generation grow strong in faith-shining their light for God to their family, friends, and the world (Matt 5:14-16). Our mission is to partner with parents and church members to proclaim Christ to the Next Gen through church-wide intergenerational, discipleship and equipping ministries (Ps 78:4, 6-7) in order that they might believe, become and belong.

We believe that the Bible teaches the family is the primary context for discipling the next generation. We hope to nurture a unified vision across all congregations for building homes where faith may thrive. However, we recognize the sacred responsibility of the church in discipling the next generation. We encourage the ownership of and Spirit-empowered participation in this partnership of all members of ECCC.

ECCC recognizes the need to grow in collaboration across ministries, congregations and generations. God would not desire that we make disciples “of all nations” while we lose our own children. Therefore, the Next Gen vision needs to be thoroughly a part of the implementation of every other part of the church’s wider vision because these two visions must be complimentary. As we teach and model our faith for our neighbours (Mark 12:30-31) and the nations (Matt 28:18-20), our ministries will be augmented and validated by letting those discipled see the Spirit-filled, powerful, supernaturally-loving family life in our homes. Likewise, as we teach and model our faith for our children, our ministry to them will be augmented and even validated by letting them see us welcoming our neighbours and the nations into our homes and family life. If we do one without the other, we will severely weaken both discipleship relationships.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for the position.

Role and Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership, vision, and spiritual direction for the next generation of ECCC:

●       Unite all leadership boards and congregations around a vision to nurture the next generation into committed disciples of Jesus together with the pastoral team and supervision of the Senior Pastor.

●       Guide recruitment of, mobilize and lead Next Gen ministry staff and lay leaders.

●       Lead the Next Gen Steering Committee and build up staff and lay leaders in the Lord.

●       Actively engage the pastoral team from all congregations to participate in Next Gen ministry.

2. Preaching and Teaching of God’s word 

●       Preach and teach the word of God with sound doctrine and contextualize the gospel for the next generation across all congregations.

●       Guide our next generation to discover a biblical approach to relevant contemporary issues and grow in discernment of how to be set apart, but lovingly interact with the world.

●       Be involved in preaching to and teaching of parents and other adults regarding the biblical mandate to disciple the next generation in the Lord.

3. Next Gen Ministry

●       Create and oversee the Next Gen ministry aligned with the overall vision and mission of ECCC.

●       Maintain well-planned, carefully balanced programs coordinated with the church calendar of events. 

●       Foster open communication with parents/guardians and seek creative ways to partner with, equip and support them.

●       Provide opportunities for children and youth to live out their faith through service to others within the church and missional activities in the local community and beyond.

●       Build community across  congregations to facilitate discipleship.

4. Pastoral Care

●       Build relationships with our children and youth. Take time to disciple more intimately those who seek to draw near to God.

●       Nurture the spiritual welfare of the next generation and their families in partnership with the pastoral team and lay leaders.

●       When appropriate, provide pastoral care for individual members or families of the congregation.

5. General Administrative Duties

●       Attend staff meetings and act as pastoral rep for Next Gen.

●       Lead the Next Gen Steering Committee meetings and periodically attend deacon board meetings.

●       Other duties as required.

Qualifications

Mature faith in Jesus Christ, baptized and passionate for life-long discipleship and learning.

●       Experience working in Next Gen ministry, with a love for the next generation and a strong commitment to serve God in this role.

●       Leadership and teamwork abilities to unify the inter-congregational Next Gen Steering Committee.

●       An understanding of immigrant Cantonese and Mandarin cultures and Canadian-born Chinese cultures and strong communication skills.

●       A demonstrated spiritual giftedness in preaching and teaching the Word of God.

●       A demonstrated pattern of discipling and training children and youth.

●       A demonstrated pastoral, compassionate heart and strong interpersonal skills.

●       Educational Requirement: Graduated from an accredited evangelical seminary with at minimum an MDiv. or equivalent combination of education and significant work experience in  Next Gen ministry.

●       Acceptance of the ECCC’s Statement of Faith, vision and mission.

●       Computer skills (Google suites, social media).

Other Details

Terms of Employment: Full time

●       Reporting to: Senior Pastor

●       Compensation: Competitive Salary and Benefit Package (will be discussed at interview).

●       How to Apply: Send your resume to: hr@eccc.ca

○        In your cover letter please tell us about your personal faith journey, your calling to ministry and your philosophy of children/youth ministries.

○        Applicants accepted for interview must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police records check as well as professional and personal references.