Director of Youth and Faith Formation

POSITION: DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & FAITH FORMATION

JOB DESCRIPTION: Knox Presbyterian Church is seeking a relational, creative, and faithful individual to serve as our Director of Youth & Faith Formation. This position provides primary leadership for ministry with middle and high school youth while supporting the broader faith formation ministries of the congregation. The Director will help cultivate a youth ministry in which young people are known, heard, valued, challenged, and invited to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

A central expectation of this position is to listen intentionally to young people and meaningfully incorporate their voices into the direction of the ministry. Youth should not simply participate in programs planned for them; they should be equipped and empowered to help shape the ministry they share.

Knox is a Presbyterian Church (USA) family of faith that serves the community and the world. Our mission is to Reach, Teach, Equip and Send. We are a midsized congregation in the heart of Overland Park, Kansas.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience working relationally with middle and/or high school students and demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and lead youth ministry programs.
• Strong Christian faith and biblical knowledge through education and experience.
• Ability to teach Scripture and Christian faith in ways that are thoughtful, engaging, age-appropriate, and relevant to the lives of young people.
• Commitment to ministry within the theology, values, and polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Reformed tradition.
• Experience recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers.
• Strong communication, organizational, collaborative, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Sunday mornings and regular Sunday evenings are required workdays.
• Additional evenings, occasional weekends, retreats, and youth trips are also required.
• This job reports to the Pastor/Head of Staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director of Youth & Faith Formation is responsible for developing and leading a vibrant ministry with youth in grades 6-12 and for working with the Christian Education Team and Pastor/Head of Staff to support faith formation across the congregation. This includes direct leadership and participation in the youth program and oversight of the Part-time Children's Ministry Coordinator.

• Youth Voice & Leadership: Regularly seek, listen to, and meaningfully incorporate youth input regarding curriculum, activities, trips, worship, service projects, music, and the overall direction of the youth ministry. Develop opportunities such as a Youth Leadership Team or Youth Council so students have genuine responsibility in planning, evaluating, and leading ministry.
• Relationships & Community: Build authentic, appropriate, and consistent relationships with youth, taking time to know their lives, interests, questions, gifts, concerns, and faith journeys. Cultivate a Christ-centered culture of belonging, active listening, mutual respect, inclusion, and healthy communication.
• Youth Group & Faith Formation: Plan and lead regular youth gatherings that intentionally balance faith formation, fellowship, worship, service, and recreation. Develop and adapt curriculum that is age-appropriate, accessible, and relevant to middle and high school students, helping them deepen their relationship with God, understand their faith, and connect biblical principles with daily life.
• Youth Worship & Music: Oversee the Youth Worship Team and Celebration Choir, working collaboratively with youth, adult volunteers, church musicians, and pastoral staff. Incorporate Christian music into youth ministry and create meaningful opportunities for youth to lead worship through music, scripture, prayer, liturgy, technology, drama, and other creative gifts.
• Confirmation: Work alongside the Pastor/Head of Staff in developing and teaching the youth confirmation program, helping students explore Scripture, theology, worship, Christian ethics, Presbyterian identity, mission, and what it means to follow Jesus in the world.
• Intergenerational Ministry: Create opportunities that connect youth with trusted adult mentors and the wider congregation, and collaborate with staff and ministry teams on intergenerational worship, education, service, and fellowship opportunities.
• Pastoral Presence: Provide appropriate care and support to youth and families in collaboration with the Pastor/Head of Staff. When possible and appropriate, support youth beyond church programming by attending school activities, performances, sporting events, and other important moments in their lives.
• Communication: Communicate clearly, consistently, and accessibly with youth, parents, volunteers, and staff. Use multiple communication methods so participation and youth input are not dependent on access to one particular platform or technology.

ADMINISTRATION & OVERSIGHT:

• Direct and manage the Part-time Children's Ministry Coordinator, providing support, communication, and accountability while helping children's and youth ministries form a connected pathway of faith formation.
• Recruit, train, resource, support, and encourage Youth Sponsors and other adult volunteers. Clearly communicate roles, expectations, schedules, and responsibilities.
• Develop a collaborative adult leadership culture in which staff and volunteers communicate openly, work as a team, model respectful communication, and practice healthy conflict resolution.
• Ensure compliance with Knox child and youth protection policies, appropriate ministry boundaries, and adequate supervision for all youth programs and trips.
• Work with the Christian Education Team to support faith formation opportunities for children, youth, adults, and families, while maintaining youth ministry as the primary focus of the position.
• Schedule and chair meetings of the Christian Education Team and maintain strong communication with other ministry teams, especially those connected to worship, congregational life, children, and families.
• Develop and administer the Youth and Christian Education budget within guidelines established by Session and practice responsible stewardship of church resources.
• Participate as a collaborative member of the Knox staff, including weekly staff meetings, regular worship, and other church-wide responsibilities as assigned by the Pastor/Head of Staff.
• Work with staff and volunteers to maintain timely church communications, websites, social media, calendars, registration information, and promotion related to youth and faith formation ministries.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development related to youth ministry, faith formation, leadership, and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

EVENTS & PROGRAMS:

• Coordinate, chaperone, and provide visible leadership for youth trips, retreats, mission experiences, worship opportunities, and special events throughout the year.
• Involve youth meaningfully in planning major events and trips, including activities, worship, service, recreation, music, and other elements of the experience.
• Plan events with attention to clear expectations, adult leadership, transportation, accessibility, dietary needs, family schedules, costs, and other factors that affect participation.
• Intentionally balance service and structured programming with faith formation, fellowship, recreation, rest, and fun.
• Support youth fundraising activities as needed.
• Yearly gatherings with students may include:
  • Weekend Youth Retreats, fall and/or spring
  • Spring Break Mission and Service Opportunities
  • Summer Choir/Youth Trip
  • Montreat Youth Conference, Presbyterian Youth Triennium, Heartland Presbytery, mission experiences, and other PC(USA) youth opportunities as appropriate
  • Youth-led worship opportunities, fellowship events, recreation, service projects, and other events developed with youth input
  • Other events as determined in collaboration with the Pastor/Head of Staff, Christian Education Team, youth, and adult leaders

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

• In-person office and ministry environment with flexibility for relational ministry beyond the church building.
• Regular participation in active games, recreation, worship, group activities, and event setup.
• Travel with youth for retreats, mission experiences, conferences, and other trips.
• Work schedule includes Sunday mornings, regular Sunday evenings, and additional evenings and weekends. Because youth ministry involves irregular hours, the Director will maintain a healthy and sustainable work schedule in consultation with the Pastor/Head of Staff.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off
• Professional Development Assistance

Please send resume and cover letter to josh@knoxchurch.org. We’ll be accepting applications until 10/31/26