Trainee Youth and Children’s Worker

At St Ives Church we are passionate about seeing children, young people and families encounter Jesus, discover the love of God and grow in their relationship with Him. We want to create spaces where people of all ages feel welcomed, valued and able to explore faith, ask questions and become part of the life of the church.

We are looking for a SWYM Be Transformed trainee who will join our experienced Children, Youth and Families team and learn by serving alongside them. This is particularly a placement for someone who wants to develop their confidence, experience and understanding of working with children and young people, while being supported by a team who already have established ministries and relationships.

Our children and youth ministry is centred particularly around Wild Church and St John’s in the Fields. Wild Church is a lively, informal and predominantly family-based congregation which meets on Sunday afternoons. Children and young people are an important part of the life of the church, with opportunities for worship, discipleship, games, Bible teaching, prayer and building friendships. Our wider children and families ministry also includes toddler groups and other activities throughout the week.

The trainee will have the opportunity to get involved across these different areas, working alongside experienced leaders rather than being expected to lead everything themselves. We hope that, over the course of the year, they will grow in confidence, develop their own gifts and discover more about God's calling on their life and ministry.

There may also be opportunities for the trainee to contribute to the worship rota at Wild Church, particularly if they have musical or worship-leading gifts. This could include helping with music, leading worship, helping with preparation or serving as part of the wider worship team. There will also be opportunities to explore other areas of church life according to the trainee's gifts, interests and the needs of the church.

1. Has a growing and personal relationship with Jesus.
2. Has a genuine heart for children, young people and families.
3. Is enthusiastic about learning and willing to serve alongside an experienced team.
4. Is willing to get involved in the life of the wider church and local community.
5. Is happy working as part of a team and receiving support, encouragement and feedback.
6. Has a willingness to develop their gifts and explore God's calling on their life.
7. Has, or is willing to obtain, the appropriate DBS and safeguarding checks.

1. Some experience of working with children or young people, either in church or another setting.
2. An interest in discipleship and helping children and young people grow in their faith.
3. Confidence in working with groups of children or young people, or a willingness to develop this confidence during the placement.
4. An interest in worship and music, if they would like to become involved in the Wild Church worship team.
5. A willingness to try new things, learn from others and reflect on their own ministry.

There are several possible accommodation options that we can talk about. There is a possible room in a house with other interns from the Salvation Army, OR a one bed studio apartment in S Ives.

The exact pattern of the placement will be shaped around the trainee's gifts, interests and the needs of the church, but could include:

• Wild Church – helping with the Sunday gathering, children's activities, worship, games and practical setup.
• Children's discipleship – supporting existing groups and helping children explore the Bible and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
• Youth ministry – helping with our young people's gatherings, shared meals, games, Bible study, discussion and prayer.
• Toddler and family ministry – helping at our regular toddler group and developing relationships with children, parents and carers.
• Special events – getting involved in seasonal events, community activities and church celebrations.
• Worship – potentially joining the Wild Church worship rota and developing gifts in music and worship leading.
• Schools and community ministry – opportunities to experience some of our wider engagement with children and young people where appropriate.
• Wider church life – exploring other areas of ministry according to the trainee's gifts and interests.

The emphasis throughout will be on learning, serving and growing. The trainee will work alongside experienced members of the team, gradually taking on more responsibility as their confidence and experience develops.

The exact pattern of a week will vary throughout the year, but a typical week might include:

MONDAY:
SWYM cluster group / training and study

TUESDAY:
Children's or youth ministry / preparation / study and reflection

WEDNESDAY:
Day off

THURSDAY:
Toddler group and time with the Children, Youth and Families team

FRIDAY:
Team meeting, ministry preparation, community or schools work and occasional youth activities

SATURDAY:
Day off

SUNDAY:
Wild Church – helping with the gathering, children's ministry and/or worship, with opportunities to be involved in other Sunday ministry as appropriate

The weekly pattern will be flexible and will change around school holidays, special events, church activities and SWYM training requirements.