Youth and Children's Worker

Spicer Street is a congregational evangelical church based in St Albans, and part of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC). We have approximately 250 members and see 400-500 people in church across our services on Sunday, including 100+ children.

The church exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to grow believers in faith. We are committed to clear, faithful preaching, and seek to be a loving and diverse congregation. The church has a significant number of members whose first language is Cantonese, and there is a monthly Cantonese service. Spicer Street Church seeks to glorify God in all it does while equipping people of all ages to live out their faith in everyday life.

You can find out more about us at www.spicerstreet.org.uk.

The Role

This is an exciting ministry training role within our Youth and Children's Ministry (YCM) team, working under the oversight of the Pastor for Youth and Families. The Youth and Children's Worker will take primary responsibility for ministry among our under-11s, including our Sunday School programme and midweek groups, and will also work specifically with 11+ girls as part of our youth ministry.

We are looking for someone who may be completing or has recently completed a ministry training scheme, or has served extensively in youth or children's ministry, and who is ready to grow in children's and youth ministry in an active, and diverse church. You will be supported closely by the wider YCM team and the Pastor for Youth and Families. We would envisage further training being part of the role.

Role Information
Job Title: Youth and Children's Worker
Reporting to: Pastor for Youth and Families
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Salary £31K, plus housing and pension


Key Responsibilities

Children's Ministry (Under 11s)
• Lead and teach at Sunday School on Sunday mornings, including Holiday Sunday School
• Run and develop Wednesday Club (midweek children's group)
• Support and contribute to children's work at the monthly Cantonese service
• Engage with families to support and encourage connection between home and church life
• Support Life Expo and other outreach opportunities

Youth Ministry (Girls 11+)
• Participate in and support the Youth ministry (11-18s), including midweek and Sunday sessions
• Support and develop school Christian Unions in the local area
• Provide 1-1 discipleship and pastoral care specifically for teenage girls
• Attend and contribute to 11-14s Camp

Team Contribution
• Attend team meetings and contribute to shared planning and wider church gatherings
• Participate in all-church events, residentials, and holiday clubs as part of the wider team
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, contributing to their training and development
• Contribute to safeguarding, H&S and GDPR compliance across YCM
• Coordinate YCM publicity and communications, including for groups and special events

Training and Development
• Pursue ongoing ministry training (e.g. Cornhill Training Course or equivalent), supported by the church
• Engage in supervision and mentoring from senior YCM staff
• Develop teaching and communication skills through appropriate all-age and youth contexts

Church Life
• Participate in prayer meetings and all-church events
• Support hospitality and congregational life on Sundays
• Contribute to broader ministry opportunities as they arise

To Develop
• Holiday Bible Club(s) for children
• Primary school assemblies in local schools
• Wider ministry opportunities as capacity grows

Required Skills

Essential

• A committed evangelical Christian whose beliefs and practice are in full agreement with the FIEC Basis of Faith and ethos statements, as well as Spicer Street's Doctrinal Distinctives.
• A willingness to learn, be supervised, and grow in ministry skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, particularly with children and young people
• Reliable, organised and able to manage the practical demands of regular ministry programmes

Desirable

• Experience of working with children or young people in a church or school context
• Familiarity with safeguarding requirements in a church, children's or youth setting
• Completing or having completed a recognised ministry training scheme (e.g. Cornhill, a church training scheme or similar), or equivalent experience
• Some experience of or interest in teaching and presenting to children or young people
• Sympathy with congregational and FIEC church polity
• Understanding of or connection with the Cantonese-speaking community
• Full driving licence

This post carries a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a committed evangelical Christian whose beliefs and practice are in full agreement with the FIEC Basis of Faith and ethos statements, as well as Spicer Street's Doctrinal Distinctives. This requirement is made under Schedule 9, Paragraph 3 of the Equality Act 2010, and reflects both the ethos of Spicer Street Church and the nature of the role, which involves teaching, discipleship, and Christian ministry among children and young people.