GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (West Chester, PA)
Associate Pastor of Children, Families, and Intergenerational Ministries
About Grove United Methodist Church
Grove United Methodist Church is a welcoming, growing congregation committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are in a season of momentum—building new ministries, deepening community roots, and expanding our reach to families and individuals at every stage of life.
We are looking for a clergy colleague—not just a program coordinator. Someone who will share in the full pastoral life of this church while bringing focused energy to our ministry with children, to the discipleship formation of our adult congregation, and bridging the two through intergenerational ministries.
Position Summary
The Associate Pastor of Children, Families, and Intergenerational Ministries provides pastoral leadership for our children’s programs (birth through 5th grade) and our adult discipleship ministries, including small groups and classes. This person serves as a clergy colleague to the Senior Pastor, sharing in the broader pastoral responsibilities of the church—preaching, teaching, 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 leading a grieving family through loss as they are launching a new small group or planning a children’s Christmas pageant.
Core ResponsibilitiesI. Children’s Ministry (Birth–5th Grade)
Children’s ministry is a cornerstone of Grove’s family engagement strategy. This person will bring pastoral heart and programmatic vision to build and sustain a thriving ministry for our youngest members and their families.
Programming & Discipleship
- Oversee and actively lead Sunday School for preschool through 5th grade
- Oversee nursery operations including scheduling, training, and supply management
- Support volunteers in planning and leading Vacation Bible School and seasonal events (Easter, Advent/Christmas programs)
- Select age-appropriate, theologically sound curriculum rooted in Wesleyan tradition
- Creatively and intentionally engage children in worship
- Design a discipleship pathway that moves children from participation to faith ownership
Volunteer Team Development
- Recruit, train, and support a Children’s Ministry Team of dedicated volunteers
- Ensure Safe Sanctuaries compliance across all children’s environments
- Develop volunteer leaders who can sustain and grow programming over time
- Maintain safe, welcoming, and engaging physical spaces for children
Family & Parent Engagement
- Maintain regular, consistent communication with parents and families
- Create meaningful opportunities for parents to engage in their child’s faith formation
- Be a pastoral presence to families navigating the joys and challenges of raising children
- Build bridges between children’s ministry families and the broader life of the congregation
II. Adult Faith Formation
Adult discipleship is a strategic growth area for Grove UMC. This person will work with the Lead Pastor to cast vision for and build out a robust ecosystem of small groups and classes that move adults from Sunday attendance to genuine community and growing faith.
Small Groups
- Launch, support, and multiply small groups across the congregation
- Recruit, train, and coach small group leaders
- Develop a system for connecting new and existing members to appropriate groups
- Create entry-point groups for people new to faith or to Grove UMC
- Oversee group health, leader support, and ongoing multiplication strategy
Discipleship Classes & Pathways
- Design and lead (or coordinate) a discipleship pathway for adults at various stages of faith
- Offer intentional classes in spiritual formation based on the needs of the congregation
- Work with the Lead Pastor to develop new member and membership classes that connect people to Grove’s mission and community
- Identify and develop lay teachers and facilitators to expand class offerings
- Partner with the Lead Pastor on churchwide discipleship vision and preaching series integration
Community & Connection
- Create pathways that connect adult ministry participants to each other and to serving opportunities
- Coordinate with other ministry areas to ensure discipleship runs through the full life of the church
- Maintain regular communication with group leaders and class participants
III. Intergenerational Ministry
· Build creative and innovate opportunities for intergenerational connection both within the congregation and out in the greater community.
· Intentionally be a connector of people of all ages.
· Intentionally build bridges between our various ministries and age-levels.
IV. Pastoral Colleague
This person is a pastor first sharing in the full pastoral life of Grove UMC.
Preaching & Worship
- Preach on a regular rotation
- Assist in planning and leading worship services
Pastoral Care
- Share in hospital and homebound visitation
- Provide pastoral care and counseling as appropriate
- Serve as pastoral backup in the Lead Pastor’s absence
Church Life
- Attend and participate in staff meetings and collaboration sessions with team leads
- Support the overall mission and vision of Grove UMC
- Contribute to a healthy, collaborative, and generative staff culture
V. Future Growth
As Grove UMC continues to grow, the scope and shape of this role may evolve. The expectation is that this person grows with the church—developing leadership capacity, expanding ministry reach, and eventually helping to shape the next chapter of what God is doing here.
QualificationsRequired
- Demonstrated passion for ministry with children and adults
- Experience developing programs and building volunteer teams
- Commitment to the doctrine, mission, and polity of The United Methodist Church
- Background check clearance and Safe Sanctuaries compliance
- Master’s Degree in Theology or Ministry or equivalent experience
Preferred
- Experience in a multi-staff church setting
- Demonstrated preaching and teaching ability
- Experience launching or leading adult small groups or discipleship programs
- Experience with children’s ministry curriculum, programming, and volunteer development
- Familiarity with family systems and intergenerational ministry approaches
- Comfort with technology and digital communication tools
Core Competencies
Pastoral Heart — Genuinely cares for people across all ages and stages of life; comfortable in both joyful and difficult moments of ministry.
Builder Mentality — Energized by creating something new rather than simply maintaining what exists; sees a blank slate as an opportunity, not a burden.
Discipleship Vision — Understands how people grow in faith and can design intentional pathways from first contact to mature discipleship for both children and adults.
Team Developer — Instinctively builds teams rather than doing everything alone; multiplies ministry through volunteers and lay leaders.
Collaborative Spirit — Works well alongside a Lead 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 adulthood; rooted in Wesleyan theology.
Organizational Follow-Through — Plans well, communicates clearly, and follows through on commitments; manages the administrative side of ministry without being managed by it.
Please send resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
