About The Role
The Head of Children and Youth role is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, skilled leader to guide and expand the children and youth ministry at Ascension, helping young people in Balham and beyond come to know and follow Jesus.
This role involves creatively developing new outreach initiatives, particularly through our Parish Coffee Community Hub and partnerships with local schools and the sixth form colleges. The Head of Children and Youth will also manage and disciple ministry staff, build and train a dedicated volunteer team, and lead engaging services and sessions for children and youth.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, innovative, and passionate team environment, playing a key role in family discipleship and contributing to Ascension’s mission of reaching the 95% of the Balham population who do not yet attend church.
What the role offers:
- Be part of a healthy and happy church, which over the past years has doubled in attendance and become a bustling community hub for all kinds of local people.
- Live in a vibrant, green, and attractive area of London.
- A 21st century working environment with up-to-date technology.
- IT systems, and even a top-notch coffee shop!
- Support and friendship from engaged and kind congregations, a strong staff team, committed Church Wardens, and a wise and active PCC.
- Regular training.
- 50% staff discount at food and drink at Parish Coffee, our in-house café.
- Free on-site parking.
- Use of on-site bike racks and shower facilities.
- Be part of the church leading Bubble Church service for families and little ones, running in 47 churches across the UK.
What we expect from you:
- You will embrace the vision and values of Ascension.
- You will have pastoral oversight of the children and young people (0-18s) who attend Ascension.
- You will creatively explore and develop new areas of outreach for children and young people especially through our Parish Coffee Community Hub and links with the local schools and 6th forms
- You will line manage and disciple staff members associated with children and youth ministry.
- You will build, develop and train up a team of passionate, capable and committed volunteers.
- You will be skilled at leading services up front with children and young people.
- You will develop and deliver great sessions for children and young people on Sundays and mid-week.
- You will be a key input into Ascension’s ministry to the parents/carers of the children and youth, particularly with regards to family discipleship.
- You will have an excitement and passion around spreading the love of God to Balham and beyond.
Equal Opportunities
The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME) and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.