Ooltewah United Methodist Church

Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363

Part Time , On-Site

Director of Children’s Ministry (DCM)

Birth to 5th Grade

Reports To: Senior Pastor

Status: Part to Full-time with benefits

Job Summary: The Director of Children's Ministry at Ooltewah UMC has a primary responsibility for developing and overseeing ministries for children from birth to fifth grade that will disciple and nurture them as they grow. This role is a leadership position in the church, and the director of children's ministry has a responsibility to support other staff and the congregation as a whole.

Essential Functions:

• Pray for the children, their families, volunteers, other staff, and the church.
• Keep, support, and advance the Vision and Mission of Ooltewah UMC
• Develop and implement children specific Biblically based programming for birth through fifth grade, encouraging children to know God and follow Him.
• Recruit, equip, and nurture small group leaders and nursery staff
• Ensure a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow in their faith, upholding safe sanctuary policies.
• Oversee Wednesday evenings for K–5, creating a meaningful mid-week connection for children that allows children to explore the Bible interactively.
• Oversee nursery staff
• Coordinate activities and events for our Tween Group, Route 45, including Sunday evening activities and signature events like the Mystery Trip which is purposefully designed to strengthen peer relationships, celebrate the risisng 6^th graders and grow their spiritual journey.
• Plan and execute summer activities and day trips
• Coordinate Camp Ootie and or VBS
• Manage and grow the children’s ministry social media accounts and quickly learn and utilize Planning Center (our church database)
• Coordinate Sunday morning Sunday school
• Collaborate with the Adult Ministry Director (AMD) to coordinate and plan special events for families.
• Collaborate with the Student Ministry Director to design and execute a structured transition plan for Tweens (Grades 5–6), preparing them for Student ministry
• Collaborate with the Student Ministry Director (SMD) and Adult Ministry Director (AMD) to plan and coordinate church-wide events
• Attend non-church activities of the children
• Be a good financial steward of resources allocated to Children's Ministry

Minimum Qualifications:

• Growing relationship with Jesus and a love for children and students
• The Director will have belief in and knowledge of United Methodist theology or be willing to learn and work within that theology. 
• Must be able to pass a background check and pass Safe Gathering
• Bachelor's degree or college preferred
• 2 years minimum work experience with-in children’s education

Other Responsibilities:

• Attend weekly Staff meeting
• Will be expected to speak in front of the congregation
• Required to attend church every Sunday and other events
• Continuing Education
• Submit and maintain children's ministry budget.

Core Competencies:

• Planning and Organizational skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Lesson Planning
• Bible Proficiency

Please send applications to [email protected].

Organization: Ooltewah United Methodist Church

Contact: Erik Ehinger, OUMC SPRC

Phone: 4233267732

Closing Date: 08/31/2025