At last!At last night's members meeting the church (KBC) voted through the decision to employ a part time Children and Families Worker. Everyone was supportive of the decision and recognised the needs of our children as a separate entity from the youth. I am SO pleased about the potential for our children and families to get the support and vision that they've been needing for so long. God is gracious and does not forget his children. Thank goodness the church hasn't either. I have an optimistic feeling that this is the start of great journey for the children and families in the community of Kirkintilloch...
12 comments:
Nice one Amie.
Encouraging to hear that your church has taken that step.
The biggest challenge for any church next (in my humble opinion, to quote an oft-used phrase!) is not to look upon the worker to *do* everything (ah, that's us now, kids and families are covered) but to respond to the challenge that children are everywhere; that their nurture and discipleship is actually best done by loving adults surrounding them i.e. those old concepts of "community" and "family".....and the "worker" (I hate that phrase) helps set vision, direction, and can be released to spearhead evangelism and opportunities for nurture according to the Spirit's leading for that place and time.
That's my tuppence worth :-)
Thanks for your wise words Lynn. David's motto for the youth pastor and most probably the children's worker is that they almost do themselves out of a job because they set the vision and then train and support others to implement it effectively then support them as they do. KBC has never before had a children's 'person' so it will be new turf and hopefully a great learning experience for all concerned. No doubt we'll look to you for advice and wisdom along the way too! ;)
why "youth pastor" and "children's worker"?
What's the difference? Are the jobs different? Is it because children are pastored by their parents and teenagers............aren't??
What's in a name? Therefore...why youth pastor and not youth worker...?
:-)
[a gently provocative comment - hope you don't mind Amie!!]
I'll ask D or H when I next see them :-)
Good questions =) It's always discussed in a members meeting what words we should use for the job. As my understanding goes it's mainly to do with qualification and job remit. We are appointing a children's 'worker' because the said person at this time point in time is not necessarily someone who is theologically trained, because we're hoping to make an internal appointment. They're a worker cause they are setting the vision, training the leaders and working with families. As far as the youth job... I think the official title is 'Youth and Community Pastor' because tho the candidate is not currently theologically trained he will be taking up training and his job remit is much more involved in working with and pastoring the young people in the church and community. These are words are often a mine-field because people interpret them differently but we did discuss it at the members meeting and came to the above conclusions. You might want to check with David but as far as I know that's how it works...!
you're right, it is an interesting discussion.
I suppose it raises the question: does someone have to be theologically trained to "pastor"?
I study with a lot of guys from the Brethren who talk about this and of course many pastors in house churches or newer expressions of church may not have any formal training. Does that mean they are not pastors?
I don't know the answer to these questions :-)
no one has mentioned pay - I read an interesting discussion somewhere about pay differentials depending on title!!
More than likely... although in our case with JP the pay is lowered so that we can fund his studies. Pam said that when Chris got less kudos in the schools as a youth 'worker' than Stuart did as a youth 'pastor' (I should probably check before I quote but im sure that's why Chris raised it!)
"no one has mentioned pay - I read an interesting discussion somewhere about pay differentials depending on title!!"
GOOD point Anon.
I'm far too subtle to mention pay ::::laughs::::
The reality is, for any of these type of posts, I have 14 years teaching experience, 1.75 degrees (2 by next year, hopefully) and 2 post graduate certificates but that doesn't come into the equation.......
But then if God calls you, then a sacrifice has to be made....
I would ask for parity though. Especially as many youth workers/pastors are male and many children's "people" are female
(the Equal Pay Act is ringing in my ears)
I like to end on a positive. KBC has made a very good move and a wise decision in my mind by recruiting someone and then funding their studies (is there a tie-in for number of years they must work for you??)
there are simply too many posts and not enough qualified or experienced people for the ecclesiastical growth industry of children/family/youth work.
Indeed. It's certainly a first step and we definitly have a long way to go. Baby steps... =)
But steps forward indeed.
nice one!
(night night!)
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