First United Methodist Church of Orange is a welcoming Christian community in the heart of Orange, California. Rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, we seek to follow Jesus through worship, spiritual growth, service, and care for our neighbors.

We are an inclusive congregation that welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and family structures. We believe the church is at its best when people across generations know one another, learn from one another, and share in the life of the community together.

FUMC Orange is in an exciting season of renewal. As new children and families become part of our community, we are seeking to intentionally cultivate a ministry that grows with them. Rather than simply maintaining a program, we want to create space for relationships, faith, belonging, and new possibilities to take root.

First United Methodist Church of Orange is seeking a Children & Family Ministry Lead to help cultivate an emerging ministry with children, youth, and families.

The Children & Family Ministry Lead will help create a welcoming and growing ministry where children and young people can experience God’s love, develop meaningful relationships, and discover that they are an important part of the life of the church.

This position is especially focused on building relationships with families, developing and supporting volunteers, and creating sustainable opportunities for children and families to connect with one another and the wider congregation.

Sunday Morning Ministry

• Coordinate and provide leadership for Sunday morning children’s ministry.

• Create a welcoming, safe, and engaging environment for children and families.

• Curate, adapt, and develop age appropriate curriculum and activities that reflect the theology, values, and mission of First United Methodist Church of Orange.

• Work with the Pastor and ministry leaders to incorporate children and young people into the worship and community life of the congregation.

Children, Youth & Family Ministry Development

• Build relationships with children, youth, parents, and caregivers within the congregation.

• Help develop ministry opportunities for children and young people from elementary through high school, appropriate to the number and ages of participating families.

• Listen to families and help identify opportunities for new ministries, gatherings, and experiences.

• Develop occasional family events that create opportunities for connection, spiritual formation, service, and fun.

• Help cultivate a ministry that can grow alongside the changing needs of the congregation.

Volunteer Leadership

• Recruit, equip, schedule, and encourage volunteers serving with children and families.

• Develop a culture in which members of the congregation understand ministry with children and young people as a shared responsibility.

• Ensure volunteers follow the church’s policies and practices for creating safe environments for children and vulnerable people.

Nursery

• Provide supervision and support for paid nursery staff.

• Coordinate nursery scheduling and communicate regularly with nursery staff regarding Sunday mornings and special events.

• Work with the Pastor to maintain appropriate safety, staffing, and care practices.

Special Events & Outreach

• Provide leadership for Vacation Bible School and other seasonal children and family ministry opportunities.

• Develop opportunities for families in the surrounding community to connect with the church.

• Collaborate with other church ministries on intergenerational events, service opportunities, and community outreach.

• Look for creative ways to build relationships with families who are not currently connected to the congregation.

The ideal candidate will have a genuine love for children, young people, and families and be comfortable building relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds and family structures.

They will demonstrate creativity, initiative, reliability, and strong communication skills and have the ability to recruit, organize, and encourage volunteers.

Experience working with children or youth in a church, school, nonprofit, camp, or similar setting is preferred.

The Children & Family Ministry Lead should be comfortable working within the theology and inclusive ministry of the United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of Orange.

The successful candidate must complete required background checks and child safety training.

This is a part time position averaging 10 hours per week. Sunday morning availability is required. Remaining hours are flexible and will include preparation, volunteer coordination, communication with families, meetings, and occasional special events.

Because ministry with families sometimes includes events outside the regular weekly schedule, hours may vary from week to week in consultation with the Senior Pastor.

$20 per hour, approximately 10 hours per week.

First United Methodist Church of Orange is in a season of cultivating and renewing its ministry with children and families. We are not simply looking for someone to maintain an existing program. We are looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, trying new things, inviting others into ministry, and helping something new take root.

Our hope is to develop a sustainable and joyful ministry where children, young people, and families know they are welcomed, valued, and fully part of the life of the church.