Minister - Youth & Families (The Gap Uniting Church)

The Gap Uniting Church Youth and Families Minister (full-time)

Hybrid: up to 2 days work from home available

The Gap Uniting Church is a vibrant intergenerational Christian community located in the inner-west suburb of The Gap, Brisbane. The vision of the congregation is "Growing lifelong disciples of Christ". We welcome all people to join us on that journey.

The Gap Uniting Church is seeking a Youth & Families Minister in a full-time pastoral role focused on engaging and discipling children, youth, and their families. This position will work closely with the Lead Minister, Ministry Team to integrate age-specific ministries within the wider church life and foster strong community connections, reaching out to the families in the local community.

We are looking for someone who has a passion for working with youth, children and their families as they grow in discipleship, encouraging their involvement in the worship, witness and service of the congregation, and has capacity to develop strategies for building connections with the local community as we seek to invite others on the journey of faith.

Key Responsibilities:

• Faith Formation, Pastoral Care and Discipleship

• Develop and oversee discipleship pathways for children and youth that support faith formation in the home and church.

• Provide oversight of the GROW Sunday School and youth group ministries, including resource planning. Also, equipping and empowering volunteers and coordinating their participation.
• Identify resources that can be used to encourage faith formation and discipleship within the congregation.
• Mentor young adults and senior youth in leadership and faith development.
• Encourage children, youth & families to be involved in opportunities for faith formation offered by the Moreton Rivers Presbytery, Queensland Synod, or Assembly.
• Support families with resources and ideas for developing faith at home.

• Develop opportunities for families to connect with one another and provide pastoral support for families within the congregation.

• Worship and Ministry Participation

• Participate in planning and delivery of intergenerational morning worship services when GROW is not in session.

• Support Night Church through collaboration, mentoring, and occasional leadership in cooperation with the Lead Minister.
• Participate in the leadership of worship, including preaching, as negotiated with the Lead Minster.
• In cooperation with the Lead Minister encourage and equip people of all ages and stages to be involved in leading worship.

• Community Engagement

• Strengthen and maintain TGUC's connection with community programs such as Playgroup, PlayChurch, Day Camp, and UEL Childcare.

• Develop connections with The Gap State High School and other local partners, while equipping others for leadership in these spaces.

• Leadership & Team Collaboration

• Provide leadership and pastoral support to volunteers in children's and youth ministries.

• Ensure all ministry activities comply with Safe Ministry policies and requirements.
• Contribute to Ministry Team planning and church-wide communication efforts.
• Participate in Presbytery activities which enhance the designated work of the role of Children, Youth & Families Pastor.
• Attend and report to Church Council meetings as part of the leadership team.

Selection Criteria

• Qualifications

• This position is for the exercise of the duties of ordained ministry of the Uniting Church in Australia. Preference will in the first case be given to appropriately qualified Ministers of the Word or Deacons. A lay person may be appointed to the role subject to successful completion of core competency requirements for the ministry of pastor in the Uniting Church in Australia. The successful applicant will be required to comply with the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice. and access regular professional supervision.

• Experience and Skills

• As a Placement the role of the Youth & Families Minister is suitable for an Ordained Minister or a recognized Pastor within the Uniting Church.

• A committed follower of Jesus with a demonstrated understanding of the ethos and mission of the Uniting Church in Australia.
• A passion for intergenerational ministry and the spiritual formation of young people.
• Demonstrated experience in leading children's and/or youth ministry.
• Experience in volunteer coordination, team leadership, and community engagement.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Comfortable using technology for communication, planning, and ministry (e.g., Microsoft Office, social media, shared platforms).
• Undertaking of Safe Church training requirements – annually
• Statement of Commitment – signed annually

Additional Requirements

• Current Drivers Licence
• Working with Children Clearance Card (BCB - Blue Card) -
• This is an approved placement of the Uniting Church in Australia and the ministerial stipend and allowance provisions will apply.
• Attendance at Synod in Session (every 18 months) is expected and Ministry Agent retreats is desirable.
• The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested.

How to Apply

Please submit an expression of interest to the Secretary of Placements Committee by COB 27/10/2025.

For any further information please contact the Lead Minister Rev Dr Peter Lockhart