The Episcopal Church of the Advent is seeking a creative and passionate priest to share in the leadership of this Transition/Pastoral-sized, multi-generational, vibrant parish located in downtown Spartanburg. We hope to welcome our next Assistant Priest for Youth and Family Ministries in the spring or early summer of 2025 to spend 3-5 years in this full-time position. This person will specifically lead all aspects of faith formation for families with middle and high school aged children as well as college-age young adults, but also will be fully engaged with our Director of Children and Family Ministries. In addition, they will serve as pastor, priest and teacher for the parish along with the Priest in Charge and Associate Rector. The Assistant Priest will plan, design and lead all programs for our youth and engage their families in the life of the church. They will build a network of volunteers to provide middle school and high school youth and college-age young adults with opportunities for formation, fellowship and service.
SKILLS AND GIFTS FOR MINISTRY • A heart for engaging and caring for our children, teenagers and college students. • Ability to work collaboratively with other worship, pastoral, formation and administrative leaders. • Experience using various technologies and social media to communicate. • Ability to plan and yet be flexible. • Capacity to build and maintain programs as well as relationships. • Excellent social, verbal and written communication skills. • Strong sense of self-awareness and ability to draw healthy boundaries.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS • Plan and coordinate all youth ministry activities such as camps, conferences, retreats and mission trips with the Advent’s program and facilities staff and with the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. • Foster a safe, nurturing environment where youth can explore their faith. • Support the youth of the parish in their various daily activities such as sports events, theater activities, prayer breakfasts, lunches and other special occasions. • Lead the offering of spiritual guidance, direction, encouragement, Safe Church support, and training to leaders, teachers and chaperones. • Support parish families in their spiritual lives through online resources, seasonal programs, baptismal preparation, and one-on-one interactions. • Develop and teach various seasonal series and classes. • Participate in the preaching and presiding rotation of the clergy.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS • $84,976. Total clergy compensation (TCC) is based upon diocesan norms and experience, some of which may be allocated as housing (per IRS guidelines). TCC includes professional expense allowance and provisions for continuing education. • Four weeks paid vacation. • Two weeks paid continuing education time. • Health insurance and dental plan, per Diocese of Upper South Carolina policies with the Church Pension Group plan