Position Title:            Children’s Ministry Pastor
Location:                      Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church, 22 Eccles St, Ottawa, ON K1R 6S2
Duration:                     Full Time
Estimated Start Date: Feb 1st, 2024

 

OVERVIEW

The Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church (OCAC) is a caring family of Christ followers that spans across generations and three different languages: English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Our vision as God’s family allows the three congregations to develop a strong sense of community. Our mandate is to preach a holistic Gospel that includes evangelism, shepherding all members, empowering emerging leaders, and reaching out to the needy and vulnerable in the community. We are seeking a Children’s Ministry Pastor to shepherd and nurture our children ages 0 to 12 (infants to Grade 6) so they will come to know and love Jesus, grow spiritually, live Christ-like and learn to share the gospel with others. We also believe in equipping the parents to help our children develop their faith in the home and in their day-to-day lives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Ministry Responsibilities

The Children’s Ministry portfolio is horizontal by design, encompassing three ministries across the three languages – English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. The ministry is led centrally by the Children’s Ministry (CM) pastor and supported by a Children’s Ministry’s team (CMT). The focus of the ministry is to:

Establish a clear vision and strategy in alignment with overall church strategy

Engage and connect with the children, fostering a safe, compassionate church environment that will guide them to know and love Jesus

Equip parents to build faith at home, providing God-led resources to reinforce the gospel message

Program Responsibilities:

The CM Pastor is responsible for implementing the programming in line with the Ministry focus as outlined above, and collaborating with each language ministry pastor and senior pastor to develop and deliver initiatives in line with the church’s vision. The CM pastor creates, arranges and leads Children’s church and Sunday school programs for the three language ministries, running two sessions each week and delivers special programming as required.  To support this work, the CM pastor is engaged in these key areas:

 

Mobilising people and resources to effectively further the ministry

  • Leads the CMT to carry out the Ministry mandate
  • Recruit, assess and screen volunteers and assign tasks/teaching positions
  • Ensure all teachers are provided with, have an understanding of and be equipped with the approved curriculum
  • Provide guidance to volunteers/teachers on appropriate communication with parents
  • Promote programs and events to keep parents informed and involved via appropriate communication methods and strategies

 

Creating a safe environment

  • Enforce the Plan to Protect ® policy by providing regular and appropriate training for all volunteers, leaders so that children are safe and accounted for while they are in the church’s care
  • Acquire and maintain required certification and training (e.g. First-Aid training)
  • Maintain accurate record and database related to the children’s program (e.g. emergency contact, medication administration forms, police record checks for volunteers, Plan to Protect (® ) training)
  • Ensure all facilities are adequately equipped for housing children and their programs and bring forward any issues to leaders for rectification as required

 

Collaborating with the Ministry Teams

  • Reports, and is accountable to the Senior Pastor / Elder Board
  • Commit to staff unity, collaborate and work closely with all language ministry pastoral staff to integrate CM into critical aspects of their ministries.
  • Represents the needs of the CM to the Elder Board and provides status updates, highlighting actions required. Fosters an effective transition of children from CM to the Student Ministry

 

Ensures effective performance of ministry

  • Manage a budget for Children’s Ministries to effectively direct resources.
  • Evaluate the Children’s program annually to determine areas of strength to leverage and any necessary improvements

 

Deliver special programming

  • Hosting occasional kids programs and activities relevant to Easter/Christmas/Mother’s Day/Father’s Day and other special presentations
  • Arrange and lead summer programs such as Vacation Bible School (VBS)
  • Occasional preaching during Sunday worship service – (about 2-4 times a year)

 

Grows with the Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church community

  • Committed to healthy relationships within the church community
  • Regularly attends an adult small group

 

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education and Experience:

  • Minimum a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited Bible College/University/Seminary (Master’s degree and/or additional degrees is an asset)
  • Willing to be accredited as a licensed worker of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
  • Minimum three (3) years of experience in children’s ministry, working in any capacity.

 

Spiritual Characteristics

  • Mature follower of Christ
  • Servant-leader
  • Possesses strong personal and growing relationship with God that is grounded in Scripture and prayer
  • Spiritual role model for our children
  • Passion for evangelism and outreach, affinity and genuine love for God and young children

 

Skills

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills in English
  • Team-player with ability to work in harmony with others
  • Able to connect and teach children in a creative, engaging and spiritual manner that is age-appropriate
  • Able to inspire and lead volunteers
  • Willing to receive feedback in a constructive way and respond accordingly
  • Organized
  • Self-motivated

 

Culture

  • Understanding of the Canadian/North American culture is required
  • Understanding of the multi-language church culture is an asset

 

Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter to cmpsc@ottawacac.org