Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Family Formation
Purpose
The Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Family Formation champions spiritual growth among families with children from birth through high school - forming disciples who make disciples, and equipping leaders who serve the mission of Christ in San Antonio and beyond. This pastor develops and oversees pathways for spiritual maturity, leadership training, and biblical training, especially in the context of families & their children and students who are developing their own personal relationship with Jesus, so that the church may grow as a disciple-making community grounded in Scripture, sacrificial generosity, and missional living.
Reports to the Senior Pastor, in consultation with the Session.
Responsibilities
Formation, Discipleship & Teaching
- Design, implement, and oversee the discipleship and spiritual formation strategy for families, children and students cultivating habits of Scripture study, prayer, Sabbath, generosity, and community belonging.
- Build formation pathways to move attenders toward mature discipleship and as the primary disciplemaker for their children.
- Develop curriculum and training structures for Sunday School, VBS, Middle School and High School Bible-study groups, Confirmation and multigenerational discipleship, in conjunction with the ministry staff.
- Teach regularly in large and small settings.
- Train congregation members to teach and disciple others.
Supervisory & Collaborative Responsibilities
- Supervise, coach, and support ministry staff in Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry and the FPC Children’s Center.
- Encourage and develop lay leaders and volunteers for ministry.
- Participate in staff meetings, retreats, and strategic planning processes.
- Program & Ministry Oversight
- Provide biblical direction, spiritual guidance, and encouragement to ministry and children’s center teams
- Develop and evaluate discipleship initiatives, including participation in mission outreach and church-wide activities; measure engagement and spiritual growth.
- Oversee curriculum selection, training, and evaluation.
- Support and resource committees and ministry teams related to Children's Ministry, Student Ministry and the Children’s Center.
- Oversee new families, children and students’ integration into discipleship pathways and congregational life.
Leadership Development
- Identify, mentor, and develop emerging ministry leaders in partnership with the Senior Pastor and other current ministry leaders.
- Create and implement leadership training curriculum for staff and lay leaders.
Administrative & Strategic
- Implement strategic plan initiatives for spiritual formation and discipleship.
- Help prepare and manage related ministry budgets in coordination with church staff.
- Participate in Session meetings and in appropriate ECO presbytery activities and denominational gatherings.
- Identify new ministry opportunities aligned with mission and vision.
General Pastoral Leadership
- Participate in worship, weddings, funerals, and other special services as part of general pastoral duties. Preach occasionally, delivering biblically centered, relevant, and inspiring sermons aligning with the church's mission and vision.
- Provide pastoral care, counseling, hospital and home visitation, and prayer for relationships developed as part of this ministry.
- Articulate and promote the mission and vision of FPC, forming mature disciples grounded in the gospel.
- Serve as a visible shepherd to the congregation and ministry leaders.
Desired Qualifications
- Education: M.Div. or equivalent theological degree; ordained or eligible for ordination in ECO.
- Experience: Minimum 5- 10 years pastoral ministry experience with children, students & families (large-church experience preferred).
- Spiritual Maturity: Strong personal devotion; meets biblical qualifications for elder; passionate commitment to prayer and Scripture.
- Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to develop leaders, supervise staff, and build Christ-centered ministry teams.
- Communication Skills: Excellent preaching, teaching, interpersonal, and written communication abilities.
- Commitment: Full alignment with FPC mission, vision, and ECO Essential Tenets.
- Community Heart: Love for the city and calling to form disciples who serve and reach the world.
Direct Reports:
Ministry Director of Children and their Families
Ministry Director of Youth & their Families
Director of the FPC Children’s Center
Administrative Assistant to Christian Education
