Pastor of Student Ministries - Parkside Church, Waconia, MN

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• Position Title:
  
  Youth Pastor
• Team:
  Staff
• Immediate Supervisor:
  Associate Pastor, Jason Folkerts

This position provides vision, leadership, and day‑to‑day oversight of Parkside’s student ministry (grades 6–12). It focuses on creating environments where students encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, develop lasting relationships, and learn to live on missions.

The Youth Pastor will equip volunteers, partner with parents, engage the community as an individual church and in partnership with approved life‑giving churches, and build a Christ‑centered culture of belonging and spiritual growth.

This role contributes to the mission and vision of Park Side Church by supporting the Lead Pastor and developing aligned youth ministries.

• Vision & Leadership
  • Develop and communicate a compelling, Spirit‑led vision for youth ministry aligned with Parkside’s mission and values.
  • Establish a healthy culture of discipleship, worship, community, and outreach.
  • Provide leadership to grow youth ministry in both depth and reach.
• Weekly Youth Programming
  • Plan and lead separate weekly middle school and high school gatherings that are biblically grounded, engaging, and welcoming.
  • Serve as the primary teacher of Scripture in ways that connect with students and encourage real‑life application.
  • Integrate small groups, worship, relational connection, and student participation into weekly programs.
• Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
  • Develop personal, pastoral, relational discipleship connections and spiritual formation.
  • Create a clear discipleship pathway for students at all stages of spiritual maturity.
  • Develop small group structures and mentoring relationships.
  • Provide retreats, service opportunities, mission experiences, and leadership development environments.
• Volunteer Recruitment & Development
  • Recruit, train, equip, and encourage a team of adult youth leaders.
  • Empower leaders to build relationships, disciple students, and facilitate small groups.
  • Maintain consistent communication, coaching, and appreciation.
• Parent & Family Partnership
  • Maintain regular communication with parents regarding ministry events, vision, teaching themes, and resources.
  • Support and encourage parents as the primary spiritual influencers.
• Outreach & Community Engagement
  • Build relationships within local schools, area sports teams, student interest groups and community spaces.
  • Create welcoming, relational, and invitational environments for unchurched students.
  • Plan outreach events designed to expand the reach of the youth ministry.
  • Encourage student‑led relational evangelism and peer invitation.
• Administration & Organization
  • Manage the youth ministry budget with accountability and stewardship.
  • Oversee and engage healthy communication channels.
  • Plan retreats, mission trips, service projects, and special events.
  • Ensure adherence to child protection policies.
  • Maintain a reliable ministry calendar and organized office space.

• Spiritual Qualifications
  • Personal, healthy, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • Commitment to Parkside Church’s mission, purpose, vision, doctrine, and philosophy.
  • Lifestyle marked by integrity, humility, teachability, and the fruit of the Spirit.
• Professional Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in ministry, youth ministry or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
  • Experience working with youth in church or ministry context.
  • Strong communication, teaching and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven ability to lead, recruit, develop, and care for volunteers.
  • Ability to build trust and rapport with students and parents.
  • Organized, reliable and able to manage multiple priorities.
  • Accredited with or willing to be accredited with the C&MA.
  • Consecrated & ordained with or willing to be with the C&MA.
• Personal Attributes
  • Relational, energetic and approachable.
  • Passionate about discipling students and reaching the lost.
  • Creative, adaptable and proactive.
  • A team player with a collaborative spirit.

Full‑time salaried, exempt (40+ hours a week as…