Director of Youth
Germantown Presbyterian Church
Germantown, TN
Meet Germantown Presbyterian Church
Germantown Presbyterian Church is a historic and active Presbyterian congregation located in Germantown, Tennessee. Founded in 1838, it has grown from a small group of charter members into a vibrant community of faith that worships through scripture, prayer, music, and fellowship, and offers a wide range of ministries for all ages, including children, youth, adults, and individuals with special needs. The church emphasizes Christian education, community building, and mission outreach both locally in the Mid‑South and globally, providing opportunities for members to deepen their faith and serve others. Worship services are held multiple times on Sundays, with options for Sunday School and livestreamed services, and the congregation fosters relationship‑building through groups, events, and service activities.
Youth Ministry has always been a vital part of the life of GPC. The whole congregation loves our youth in many ways as they develop in faith and grow in Christ. We strive to mentor our youth, pray for them regularly, and provide for them in tangible ways. Our annual Youth Auction fundraiser is one of the most fun and best attended events each year. We are committed to supporting our growing youth ministry, which has increased in size and attendance over the past year: on average we have 30 – 35 senior highs and 12 – 15 junior highs at weekly fellowship gatherings.
About the Director of Youth Ministries
The Director of Youth Ministries will be a person who wears many hats: Christian mentor, program leader, budget coordinator, event promoter, friend in Christ, teacher, good listener, and more! He or she will be personable and will establish good relationships with both youth and families. The Director will be emotionally mature and able to work with various kinds of people and personalities.
The Director of Youth’s responsibilities include:
Responsibilities
- Meet youth where they are in their respective faith journeys and walk with them in deepening their discipleship to Christ.
- Work with the Communications Director on all Youth Ministry Team (YMT) event promotions.
- Maintain Youth Ministry Team budget and goals.
- Manage and maintain all communications and promotions for Youth Ministry.
- Create new leadership opportunities for students.
What you bring
The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Director of Youth Ministries:
Education and Experience
- A bachelor’s degree is required.
- Theological Training: A formal theological or seminary degree is not required, nor is ordination.
- Relational Small-Group Discipleship: The ideal candidate must demonstrate a track record of leading relational, small-group discipleship.
- Prior Youth or College Ministry Involvement: Tangible examples of prior student ministry leadership.
- Experience ministering to students in a busy world where families are often over-scheduled and where teens face many social pressures.
- Volunteer Recruitment and Delegation: Experience recruiting, discipling, and fostering strong relationships with adult volunteers. They must be able to mobilize and delegate to a team rather than trying to do everything themselves
- Managing Age-Group Transitions: The church places a high value on continuity. The ideal candidate will have experience managing and bridging the critical transitions between age groups (e.g., 4th/5th grade to Middle School, 8th grade to High School, and High School into Young Adulthood) so that students don’t fall through the cracks.
- Administrative and Technological Maturity: The role requires organizational experience, such as managing a budget, utilizing digital check-in systems (like Planning Center), and effectively communicating with parents using tools like shared calendars.
- Implementing Change with Wisdom: The church desires a leader with enough maturity and experience to independently “create and implement” changes, possessing wisdom to know which new ideas to move forward and which to put hold.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge
- The candidate must possess an equivalent level of experience to deeply understand youth ministry.
- Theological Foundation: The director must have a strategic adherence to Presbyterian essentials and be open to growing theologically within the Reformed tradition.
Skills - Teaching and Communication: The skill to serve as the primary speaker for the youth group, delivering messages that maintain a careful balance between deep biblical accuracy and practical, relevant life application.
- Administration and Organization: The church explicitly desires a leader who is highly organized, breaking the “typical youth pastor stereotype.” This includes managing the Youth Ministry budget, administering the ‘Planning Center’ digital check-in system, and maintaining reliable communication with parents through shared calendars and event promotions.
- Relational Discipleship: A proven track record in small-group discipleship, demonstrating the skill to connect with students personally as a spiritual mentor.
- Volunteer Management: The ability to recruit, disciple, and delegate effectively to adult volunteers, serving as a unifier for the ministry.
Abilities
- Social and Cultural Intelligence: The ability to operate with professional polish, confidently leading and building trust with parents of various backgrounds and professions.
- Evaluated Innovation: The capacity to act as a strategic builder who can introduce fresh, innovative ideas without dismantling the church’s “tried and true” foundational formula (which includes Sunday School, evening fellowship, and summer trip).
- Emotional Flexibility: The agility to seamlessly shift energy from being deep and serious to fun and silly, depending on the students’ needs. The director must be energetic and approachable.
- Conflict Resolution: The maturity and confidence to address conflict directly and manage complex social dynamics among middle and high school students.
What it’s like to live in Germantown, TN
Living in Germantown, Tennessee offers a blend of suburban comfort, community charm, and modern amenities. Known for its tree-lined streets, well-planned neighborhoods, and excellent schools, it’s particularly attractive for families seeking a safe, family-friendly environment. Residents enjoy a variety of parks, recreational facilities, and golf courses, along with a vibrant town center filled with local shops, restaurants, and community events that give the city its welcoming character.
Just minutes away, the cultural richness of Memphis adds another layer to life in Germantown. From world-class barbecue and live music to professional sports and historic landmarks, residents have easy access to one of the South’s most iconic cities. Memphis also brings remarkable diversity, a thriving arts scene, and a deep cultural heritage shaped by generations of music, faith, and community. Together, Germantown’s peaceful neighborhoods and Memphis’s energy and diversity create a lifestyle that offers both everyday comfort and a wide horizon of experiences.
Compensation
- Full-Time
- $50,000–$70,000
- Benefits: Health insurance and PTO