Director of Family Ministries

Job Summary

Job Description

The Director of Family Ministries is a vital member of the staff of Foundry United Methodist Church, a large downtown Washington DC church whose diverse, ecumenical congregation and tradition of leadership in the community date to 1814. The Director of Family Ministries shares Foundry�s core values, among them a belief in Christ and His teachings, the commandment to serve others and to act and speak for the powerless, a compelling desire for diversity and full inclusion of all God�s children in the life of the church, and the critical nature of curiosity and intellectual honesty as we discern God�s path for us.

The Director of Family Ministries is responsible for developing, energizing, and maintaining a vibrant system for supporting Foundry�s children, youth and families in their faith journeys from infancy through adulthood. �The Director, utilizing a collaborative style, works with and relies on teams of volunteers to carry out a vision and program that provide a firm foundation for the growth of children and youth in Christian faith, engages them in learning the stories of the Bible, gives them practice in worship, mission, and service, and seeks to strengthen family relationships. Throughout these ministries, the Director and volunteer ministry teams will strive to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and fun that attracts and retains children and youth as they encounter a wide variety of challenging learning experiences.

Essential Functions

• Envisioning, creating, and implementing a system of generational ministries for children, youth and families that gains the support of the congregation.


• Collaborates with staff and laity ministry teams to strengthen the Scope of Work for Family Ministries


• Enlisting, equipping, training and empowering volunteer ministry teams to staff ministry areas for children, ministries for youth, and ministries for families, encouraging each of the ministry teams to be open to innovative ideas for change and improvement.


• Collaborating with church staff and lay leaders to ensure that children, youth and family ministries are fully integrated into the life of the church.


• Continuing and strengthening existing ministries for children, including but not limited to Children�s Choir, Sunday School, Bible Sunday, Community Christmas Festival, Christmas Pageant, and the Community Easter Egg Hunt.


• Continuing and strengthening existing ministries for Youth, including but not limited to Sunday Morning Youth Leaders, Confirmation, Youth Ministry, Fundraising, Lock-Ins, Monthly Gatherings, Mission Leaders, Scholarships and Youth Sunday.


• Developing and strengthening community partnerships to collaborate on Family Ministries programs, missions, and ministries.


• Creating and developing a vision for supporting families, as well as continuing and strengthening existing programs to engage and support families, including providing a Nursery/Toddler Room, conducting a Family Camp, and holding Parent Sessions on a variety of topics relevant to families.


• Employing curricula for the children, youth, and family ministries that encompass a full range of learning and experiences from cradle to college, coupled with a robust system for identifying, enlisting, orienting, and training teachers.


• Engaging with the Worship Pastor to strengthen the monthly Children�s Church as a forum for preparing children for the adult worship experience and nurture children in worship roles.


• Overseeing all aspects of Safe Sanctuary implementation, including communications, training, background checks, and maintenance of records and files.


• Establishing and maintaining connections with associated ministries at the district and conference levels, as well as collaborating with nearby United Methodist local churches such as Asbury UMC to share program opportunities.


• Actively engaging lay leaders and a wide range of members throughout the congregation in order to share the scope, value, and opportunities for service in children, youth, and family opportunities, while at the same time gaining knowledge of the congregation and its gifts

Other Functions

• Attending staff meetings, retreats, etc.


• Managing the Family Ministries budget


• Establishing and maintaining appropriate connections with other churches, etc.


• Participation in pastoral care as part of the clergy/care ministry team


• Providing data and support for Charge Conference, statistical and other reports, as required

Core Competencies

• An understanding of, and commitment to, the ministry, values, mission, goals and Statement of Call of Foundry Church.


• Ability to craft and communicate a vision for children, youth, and family ministries within the overall mission and vision for Foundry Church.


• Leadership ability, with a knack for enlisting, developing, and inspiring volunteer ministry teams and an ability to collaborate effectively with others on the staff and in the congregation.


• Understanding of systems, their development and implementation, and the importance of follow-through.


• Ability to communicate with, and relate to, diverse groups and individuals, coupled with the ability to show interest and empathy.


• A broad knowledge of developments in the field of children, youth and family ministries and an ability to integrate new concepts, as appropriate into Foundry�s programs.


• Demonstrative maturity, including acceptance of responsibility, openness to criticism, and an ability to defuse through personal example.


• Proven leadership and experience in growing children and youth ministries in church or other organizational setting.

• Recognizes the importance of, and practices, maintaining healthy personal and professional boundaries, accepting full responsibility for one�s own work, understanding its limits, and avoiding interference in the work of others.�


• Maintains a healthy work/life balance, giving appropriate attention to personal development, self-care and enjoying a sabbath day for rest and reflection.


• Spiritual Maturity:� Attentive to personal spiritual development, discipline and growth. Models and encourages spiritual growth and discipleship in others.