The Associate Pastor of Youth & Connections provides strategic and pastoral leadership to the church’s youth ministry, newcomer integration, and young adult engagement. This role is responsible for developing ministry systems that cultivate spiritual growth, leadership development, and meaningful connection within the life of the church. Reports to Lead Pastor.

Compensation & Benefits:

• We use ChurchSalary.com to set a competitive salary based on education and experience
• 4 weeks paid time off annually
• Medical & retirement benefits
• Sabbatical eligibility every 7 years
• Mentored by Lead Pastor with a proven track record of mentoring pastors

 

Key Areas of Responsibility

 

1. Youth Ministry Leadership (Future Hope / Fresh Hope) — 50%
Provide vision, structure, and oversight for a dynamic, gospel-centered youth ministry serving tweens, teens, and their families.

Responsibilities:

• Provide creative and strategic leadership to shape a 21st-century youth ministry model aligned with the needs of church families
• Research, attend conferences, and study best practices in youth ministry to continually strengthen ministry effectiveness
• Build relationships with teens, tweens, and their families
• Recruit, train, and develop volunteer leaders to disciple youth with wisdom, pastoral sensitivity, and theological depth
• Evaluate and refi ne existing programs to ensure alignment with the church’s mission and measurable spiritual growth

 

2. Connections & Volunteer Development — 25%
Strengthen pathways that integrate newcomers into the life of the church and mobilize members for service.

Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with newcomers and help them connect into the life of the church
• Collaborate with staff and ministry leaders to create clear assimilation pathways for newcomers
• Develop and maintain systems that help members discover, discern, and deploy their spiritual gifts
• Foster a culture of volunteer development and leadership multiplication

 

3. Young Adults Ministry — 15%
Develop a sustainable ministry model that engages and equips young adults.

Responsibilities:

• Create and implement strategies to integrate young adults into worship, service, and leadership
• Train and develop mentors to support high school graduates transitioning to college
• Partner with the Lead Pastor to cultivate ministry connections with students at SUNY Broome and Binghamton University

 

4. Preaching & Teaching — 10%
Contribute to the teaching ministry of the church.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Lead Pastor in planning sermon series
• Preach approximately 8–10 times per year

 

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Divinity (MDiv) required
• Ordained or ordainable
• Theological alignment with ECO (A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians)
• 1–3 years of relevant church ministry experience
• Demonstrated love for and relational effectiveness with teenagers and young adults
• Relational, humble, emotionally mature
• Culturally aware and theologically grounded
• Team player with excellent communication skills

Website

ourlivinghope.church