Children's Worker at The Light Church Bradford

This job description outlines the key accountabilities of, and output required from, the post holder. It is not a definitive list and the role may well change and evolve over time. 

Reports to: The Associate Pastor. 

Context of the job: 

The Light Church is an active outreaching community of believers with a thriving number of children and young people. We are looking for someone to join our team who shares our heart and passion for children and all that God has made them to be! As well as sessional leadership and support across a variety of age groups you will also bring leadership, vision, organisation and volunteer support to this part of our ministry, ensuring we reach new and exciting heights in God.   

Main purpose of the job. 

Our current children’s ministry spans three different Sunday groups and is underpinned by an incredible team of volunteers. We hope this ministry will expand to include even more, particularly in children’s and family outreach. This key role will be to work with the Associate Pastor in providing exceptional and pioneering children’s ministry work for each age group, regularly leading Sunday and midweek sessions and training and releasing the volunteer teams to do the same. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to work with our Church Suite registration system as well as being proactive in maintaining good relationships with our children and families in church.

Here at The Light Church we take the safeguarding of all adults and children in our care seriously; at the very least you will oversee our children’s volunteer safeguarding policy and procedures to a high standard, but there is also scope to become our Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator for our children’s ministry as part of this role. 

If you can demonstrate sufficient experience in this area, the Deputy Safeguarding part of the role will work with the Safeguarding Lead to ensure that any 0-11’s and family safeguarding concerns are resolved and supported in the appropriate manner. Where there isn’t enough experience in this area but you can demonstrate the appropriate character and skills to develop in this field, we expect to look at providing the proper training for you to grow into this as part of the role.

In addition to this you will also have the opportunity to work with the wider church operations team in managing the church calendar and programme of events; making sure our children’s ministry is profiled and catered for in Sunday morning services and any wider church events. 

Key oversight areas.

You will work with the Associate Pastor to make sure our children’s groups are at the forefront of kids ministry development, bringing fun, vibrant and creative faith exploration and encounter to all that you do. Seeking Father, Son and Holy Spirit you will have the opportunity to put your own stamp on the exciting vision we sense for this growing ministry area. 

This will include:

• Sunday creche group.
• Sunday 3-5’s group. 
• Sunday 6-11’s group. 
• Extending our programme to include outreach. 
• Leadership of our children’s volunteer teams. 
• Pastoral support of our children and families. 
• Deputy Safeguarding Lead (desired but optional)

Employment at The Light Church

Culture 

We pride ourselves on being a church that allows our walk with Jesus to influence all areas of our team culture. As part of the Light Church Team, you will be expected to:

• Join in with our passion for discipleship, evangelism, pastoral support and outreach. 
• Join in with regular prayer opportunities.
• Take an active role in our weekly staff team meetings and monthly staff prayer times.
• Be part of our staff team and retreat days. 

Boundaries 

As is the nature of church life - excitingly, the job is never done and there is always more to do. Therefore as Children’s Worker you will work with the Associate Pastor to ensure a fair and reasonable workload is carried and a healthy work life balance is maintained. A separate work phone will be provided to support you in this area. 

Personal development, spiritual health and growth. 

We have a passion for supporting each other in our learning, leadership development, and spiritual growth. As a valued member of our team, you will be encouraged to:

• Take part in regular development meetings with the Associate Pastor and an additional mentor inside or outside of the church as God leads you.
• Pursue learning opportunities that will enhance your passion, expertise and ability to thrive in this role. 
• Access the wider pastoral support network in the church if needed. 

To take on this exciting calling, you will: 

• Have a solid active faith walk - following Jesus Christ as your God and example.
• Be an active member of The Light Church (if not currently then to consider joining) and able to demonstrate the values that are central to our identity.
• Be able to demonstrate either good educational achievement or, if education was a challenge, a good ability to learn new things and do a job well.
• Demonstrate good communication: effective written, verbal and listening skills with different audiences and to work well with a variety of different people across both paid and volunteer roles.  (e.g. The Light Church Leadership Team, staff, parents and children)
• Be able to demonstrate your vision for this work and inspire others to join in. 
• Have completion of an enhanced DBS check prior to starting employment.
• Demonstrate good self-organisation, leadership, and time management skills.
• Be both a self-starter and also self-motivated, someone who works well independently, as part of a team, and finishes the job they started.
• Have experience working with children, young people and families. 
• Provide three referees - at least one referee needs to be pastoral/spiritual. 
• Provide evidence of suitability to work in the UK and appropriate qualifications.
• It is also desirable although not essential to have a full drivers licence and be willing to travel to meetings/events where necessary. 

Measurable Outputs: 

• The growth and development of our children’s ministry Sunday programme. 
• The growth of this ministry area to include children and family outreach.
• The successful planning and completion of any wider church events of which children and families are a part. 

Application deadline Friday 7th of February 2025. For further information or to request an application form, please contact.  racheldawson@thelightchurch.org.uk