Job Description

Columbia First UMC

Columbia, Tennessee 38401

Full Time , On-Site

Columbia First United Methodist Church Columbia, Tennessee

Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries

About Columbia First UMC

Columbia First United Methodist Church is a welcoming, growing congregation in Columbia, Tennessee, a vibrant community just south of Nashville. After navigating the disruption of a failed vote to disaffiliate, we have experienced a season of significant renewal, growing from an average attendance of 100 to over 160 in under two years. We are a church known for community impact and radical welcome, and we are building the infrastructure to match our momentum.

We are looking for a clergy colleague, not just a program director. Someone who will share in the pastoral life of this church while bringing focused energy to our ministry with children, youth, and their families.

Position Summary

The Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries provides pastoral leadership for children's and youth ministries, serving as a clergy colleague to the Senior Pastor. This person will build and lead ministry programming for children (birth through 4th grade) and youth (5th through 12th grade), recruit and develop volunteer teams, and share in the broader pastoral responsibilities of the church including preaching, teaching, sacramental duties, and congregational care.

This is a pastoral role with a programmatic focus, not a program role with occasional pastoral duties. The right candidate will be as comfortable at a hospital bedside as they are leading a youth retreat.

Position Details

Position Title: Associate Pastor of Age-Level Ministries Classification: Ordained/Provisional Deacon or Elder in The United Methodist Church Status: Full-Time, Exempt Reports To: Senior Pastor Supervises: Youth Core Team, Children's Min. volunteers, Youth Min. volunteers, Nursery staff Collaborates With: Senior Pastor, Finance Director, Facilities Director, Associate Pastor of Care & Assimilation, Music Director, Weekday School Director & Board, S/PPRC

Core Responsibilities

I. Youth Ministry (5th–12th Grade)

Programming & Discipleship

• Develop and lead weekly youth programming (Sunday and/or midweek)
• Design and implement bi-annual confirmation program
• Plan and execute retreats, mission trips, and special events
• Create a discipleship pathway that moves students from attendance to ownership of their faith
• Incorporate youth into the worshiping life of the whole congregation

Volunteer Team Development

• Build and lead a Youth Core Team (5–7 adults and 1–2 youth) who share leadership responsibility, including roster management, volunteer coordination, food, calendar, and forms/waivers
• Recruit, train, and support additional Youth Ministry volunteers
• Ensure all volunteers are trained in and compliant with Safe Sanctuaries policies
• Develop volunteer leaders who can sustain programming, not just attend it

Family & Parent Engagement

• Maintain regular communication with parents and families
• Create opportunities for parents to engage in their student's faith formation
• Be a pastoral presence to families navigating the challenges of raising teenagers

II. Children's Ministry (Birth–4th Grade)

Children's ministry has current coverage through our Children's Director, who is preparing for a planned transition. The Associate Pastor will initially partner with the Children's Director and eventually assume primary oversight.

Programming & Discipleship

• Oversee Sunday School for preschool through 4th grade
• Oversee nursery operations including scheduling, training, and supplies
• Plan and lead Vacation Bible School and seasonal events (Easter, Christmas programs)
• Select age-appropriate, theologically sound curriculum
• Coordinate children's participation in worship (children's sermons, acolytes, liturgists, etc.)

Volunteer Team Development

• Recruit, train, and support a Children's Ministry Team of volunteers
• Ensure Safe Sanctuaries compliance across all children's environments
• Maintain safe, welcoming, and engaging spaces for children

Weekday School Connection

• Serve as staff liaison to the Weekday School Board, keeping the Senior Pastor informed
• Partner with the Weekday School Director to connect WDS families with the life of the church
• Coordinate shared events and faith formation opportunities

III. Pastoral Colleague

This person is a pastor first. Age-level ministry is the primary assignment, but the Associate Pastor shares in the full pastoral life of the church.

Preaching & Worship

• Preach on a regular rotation (approximately monthly, or as assigned by the Senior Pastor)
• Assist in planning and leading worship services
• Preside at sacraments as assigned (Communion, Baptism)
• Lead or assist with special services (Christmas Eve, Holy Week, etc.)

Pastoral Care

• Share in hospital and homebound visitation
• Officiate or assist with funerals and weddings as assigned
• Provide pastoral care and counseling as appropriate
• Serve as pastoral backup in the Senior Pastor's absence

Church Life

• Attend and participate in staff meetings
• Participate in Church Council and other committee meetings as assigned
• Support the overall mission and vision of Columbia FUMC
• Contribute to a healthy, collaborative staff culture

Qualifications

Required

• Ordained/Provisional Deacon or Elder in The United Methodist Church
• Master of Divinity or equivalent seminary education
• Demonstrated passion for ministry with children, youth, and families
• Experience in developing programs and building volunteer teams
• Commitment to the doctrine, mission, and polity of The United Methodist Church
• Commitment to remaining at Columbia FUMC for a sustained period (3+ years preferred)
• Background check clearance and Safe Sanctuaries compliance

Preferred

• Experience in a multi-staff church setting
• Demonstrated preaching and teaching ability
• Experience with confirmation and youth discipleship programming
• Familiarity with family systems and intergenerational ministry approaches
• Experience recruiting, training, and empowering volunteers
• Comfort with technology and digital communication tools

Core Competencies

Pastoral Heart. Genuinely cares for people across all ages; comfortable in both joyful and difficult moments of ministry.

Builder Mentality. Energized by creating something new rather than maintaining what already exists; sees a blank slate as an opportunity, not a burden.

Team Developer. Instinctively builds teams rather than doing everything alone; multiplies ministry through volunteers and lay leaders.

Collaborative Spirit. Works well alongside a Senior Pastor and staff team; communicates openly; handles disagreement with maturity and grace.

Theological Depth. Able to communicate the faith in age-appropriate ways from preschool through high school; rooted in Wesleyan theology.

Organizational Follow-Through. Plans well, communicates clearly, and follows through on commitments; manages the administrative side of ministry without it managing them.

Working Conditions

Schedule: Full-time ministry requiring flexibility. Regular evening and weekend commitments are expected, including Sunday mornings, midweek youth programming, and seasonal events. Appropriate sabbath rest, vacation, and continuing education time will be supported by S/PPRC.

Physical Requirements: Ability to perform typical pastoral and youth/children's ministry duties including active programming, setup/teardown, travel for retreats and mission trips, hospital and home visitation, and leading worship.

Compensation

Base Compensation: $65,000 (includes housing) Expense Account: $3,000 annually for ministry-related expenses Benefits: Conference health insurance & death/disability coverage Continuing Education: Supported per church policy Vacation: Per church personnel policy

Why Columbia First UMC?

A Church with Momentum. We've grown 60% in under two years. This isn't a maintenance assignment. It's a building season, and you'd play an integral part in the life of the church.

A Real Colleague Relationship. You won't be siloed in a youth room. You'll preach, lead worship, provide pastoral care, and be part of the full life of the church as a colleague in ministry.

A Community that Cares. Our DNA is community impact and radical welcome. We're known for showing up when it matters, for our members and our neighbors.

A Place to Put Down Roots. We're looking for someone who wants to invest in this community for years, not months. We are especially drawn to Deacons who choose their own appointment and bring long-term stability, though Elders committed to a sustained season of ministry are welcome to apply.

A Growing Community. Columbia, Tennessee is one of the fastest-growing areas in Middle Tennessee, a small city with deep roots and a bright future, 45 minutes south of Nashville.

How to Apply

Submit the following to jobs@columbiafumc.org:

• Resume or Clergy Profile
• Cover letter addressing your call to age-level ministry and your vision for building youth and children's programs
• Three professional references (at least one from a supervisory relationship)

Questions? Contact jobs@columbiafumc.org

Columbia First United Methodist Church is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Organization: Columbia First UMC

Contact: Stephen Sauls

Phone: 9313883306

Closing Date: 04/15/2026

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