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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH DIRECTOR

Long Beach, California (Hybrid)

Creating a place where young people belong, grow in faith, and learn to live and love like Jesus.

About Long Beach Christian Fellowship

Long Beach Christian Fellowship (LBCF) is a Christ-centered nondenominational community committed to learning to live and love like Jesus. Rooted in the belief that faith is formed through relationships, LBCF seeks to embody the love of Jesus through communion with God and one another.

LBCF is a fully LGBTQ+ affirming church that welcomes and celebrates people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. LGBTQ+ individuals are affirmed at every level of belonging, sacrament, and leadership. The church also celebrates women in ministry and leadership, embraces people of all abilities, and creates space for questions, curiosity, and diverse experiences of faith.

Our community is guided by four core values:

• Community: We believe faith is nurtured through authentic relationships and a shared commitment to one another.
• Scripture: We engage the Bible thoughtfully as we seek to understand God and live out the teachings of Jesus.
• Heart: We value spiritual formation, prayer, authenticity, and a growing relationship with God.
• Wholeness: We seek healing, belonging, and flourishing for individuals and our broader community.

At LBCF, we believe the church should be a place where people can bring their whole selves, experience meaningful connection, and continue growing in faith together.

Learn more about LBCF at lbcf.org 

The Opportunity

Long Beach Christian Fellowship is seeking a relational, compassionate, and spiritually grounded

High School Youth Director to lead and nurture its high school ministry.

This is a unique opportunity to invest deeply in a small community of students, currently fewer than 10, and help shape a ministry where young people feel known, valued, and connected to God and one another.

The High School Youth Director will provide overall leadership for the ministry, including student gatherings, faith formation, volunteer engagement, and relationships with families. Rather than focusing primarily on programming or attendance, this role emphasizes building trust, creating consistent opportunities for connection, and helping students navigate their teenage years with a sense of belonging and spiritual support.

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys spending time with teenagers, is comfortable engaging with diverse identities and experiences, and can create an environment where students feel safe asking questions, exploring their beliefs, and being themselves.

The ideal candidate brings warmth, creativity, emotional and spiritual maturity, and a playful spirit, along with a commitment to LBCF's fully affirming theology and justice-oriented, inclusive approach to ministry.

Reporting to Pastor Mary Dorsett, the High School Youth Director will work collaboratively with church leadership, volunteers, students, and families to cultivate a healthy, sustainable ministry.

Key Responsibilities: 

Student Relationships & Community Building

• Develop authentic, trusting relationships with high school students through consistent presence, individual connection, and group experiences.
• Create a welcoming environment where students feel seen, heard, valued, and comfortable being themselves.
• Foster friendships and a sense of community among students, recognizing their diverse personalities, backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
• Be a consistent, caring presence as students navigate friendships, family relationships, identity, and the challenges of adolescence.

Faith Formation and Spiritual Development

• Develop and facilitate age-appropriate gatherings that encourage students to explore Scripture, faith, identity, and the teachings of Jesus.
• Create space for curiosity, questioning, doubt, and thoughtful theological discussion without pressuring students toward predetermined responses.
• Encourage students to develop personal spiritual practices and discover how their faith connects to everyday life.
• Incorporate creative, interactive, and relational approaches to teaching that engage students with different learning styles and interests.

High School Ministry Leadership & Programming

• Plan and lead weekly Thursday evening youth gatherings and assigned Sunday ministry activities.
• Develop a consistent rhythm of gatherings that balances relationship building, spiritual exploration, play, and community.
• Coordinate occasional special events, service opportunities, and other shared experiences that strengthen relationships and deepen engagement.
• Recruit, onboard, schedule, and support ministry volunteers, ensuring they feel equipped, valued, and connected to the ministry's mission.
• Communicate schedules, activities, and expectations clearly with students, families, volunteers, and church leadership. 

Pastoral Care & Inclusive Belonging

• Provide compassionate, age-appropriate pastoral support as students navigate personal challenges, relationships, identity, and spiritual questions.
• Respond to sensitive conversations with emotional and spiritual maturity, sound judgment, and appropriate confidentiality and boundaries.
• Recognize the diverse developmental, emotional, and neurodivergent needs of students and adapt ministry practices to support meaningful participation.
• Maintain safe ministry environments and comply with LBCF's child protection, mandated reporting, and safeguarding requirements.

Family & Volunteer Engagement

• Build positive relationships with parents and caregivers, maintaining thoughtful communication about ministry activities and student experiences.
• Collaborate with LBCF's pastoral leadership and other ministry teams to connect youth ministry with the broader life of the church.
• Encourage opportunities for students to contribute their perspectives, talents, and gifts to the wider congregation.
• Help foster meaningful connections across generations, supporting students as valued members of the church community.

Collaboration & Ministry Stewardship

• Organize and prepare ministry activities, teaching materials, schedules, and communications in a timely and thoughtful manner.
• Participate in appropriate church staff gatherings, planning conversations, and ministry development opportunities.
• Partner closely with Pastor Mary to align the high school ministry with LBCF's broader vision and priorities.
• Share regular updates on student engagement, ministry needs, and emerging opportunities.
• Manage ministry time and resources thoughtfully, prioritizing relationships, consistency, and long-term sustainability.

Leadership Profile

Relational Connector

Someone who genuinely enjoys teenagers and naturally builds trust through warmth, consistency, curiosity, and genuine interest in their lives. Makes students feel seen and valued while fostering meaningful connections among peers.

Inclusive and Affirming Leader

A leader who wholeheartedly embraces LBCF's fully affirming theology and practices inclusion in everyday ministry. Affirms LGBTQ+ young people, supports women in leadership, and creates welcoming environments for neurodivergent students and students of all abilities.

Spiritually Grounded and Curious

A person with an active, evolving faith and a thoughtful relationship with Scripture. Comfortable exploring complex theological questions, embracing uncertainty, and helping students engage with faith without shame or fear.

Emotionally Mature and Pastoral

A compassionate listener who demonstrates wisdom, humility, discretion, and healthy boundaries. Responds thoughtfully when young people share difficult experiences and knows when additional pastoral or professional support is needed.

Engaging and Playful Communicator

Brings creativity, humor, and energy to working with students. Can facilitate meaningful conversations, make Scripture accessible, and create experiences that are both enjoyable and spiritually enriching.

Dependable and Collaborative Leader

A consistent, organized, and communicative team member who follows through on commitments, works collaboratively with families and church leadership, and is invested in the long-term health of the youth community.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

LBCF recognizes that meaningful youth ministry leadership can emerge through a variety of personal, educational, and professional experiences. A formal degree in ministry or prior employment as a youth pastor is not required.

Successful candidates may bring:

• Experience mentoring, teaching, coaching, or working with teenagers in church, educational, nonprofit, or community settings.
• Personal or professional involvement in youth ministry, faith formation, or Christian community leadership.
• Familiarity with Scripture and an interest in biblical teaching, theological reflection, and spiritual formation.
• Experience supporting students with diverse learning, developmental, and social-emotional needs.
• Strong communication, facilitation, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• A willingness to invest consistently in students and grow with the ministry over multiple years.

Candidates must demonstrate alignment with LBCF's vision, values, and affirming commitments, and be willing to complete required screening and child-safety training.

Equivalent leadership experience will also be considered.

What Success Looks Like

During the first year, success will be measured primarily by the strength of relationships, consistency of engagement, and overall health of the high school ministry.

We hope to see students developing deeper connections with one another and with trusted adult leaders, regularly participating in gatherings, and feeling a genuine sense of belonging within the church. The High School Youth Pastor will establish a reliable ministry rhythm, strengthen volunteer and family engagement, and create a foundation for continued spiritual growth and community-building.

While there is opportunity for the ministry to grow over time, building meaningful relationships and a consistent, welcoming experience for students will be the first priority.

Location and Compensation

This is a part-time position based in Long Beach, California, with an expected commitment of approximately 9 hours per week. The annual compensation is $11,700, paid biweekly at $450 per pay period.

The role includes two Sunday’s a month and weekly midweek youth gatherings, preparation and planning, and intentional relationship-building with students and youth volunteers. The schedule offers flexibility throughout the week, with planned ministry breaks around Christmas, spring break, and during August. Occasional retreats, camps, or special events may be part of the ministry calendar and will be planned in coordination with church leadership.

Anticipated Start Date: January 2027

Reports To: Pastor Mary Dorsett

How to Apply

Maligmat Search is supporting Long Beach Christian Fellowship in identifying its next High School Youth Director.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a résumé and cover letter. In your cover letter, we are especially interested in learning who you are, how you build relationships with young people, and what excites you about helping students explore faith in an affirming Christian community.

Why Join LBCF?

This role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people within a small, relational church community. You will have the freedom to build authentic connections, bring creativity to youth ministry, and help shape a welcoming environment where students can explore faith and discover belonging.

At LBCF, you will join a community that values compassion, curiosity, inclusion, and the ongoing journey of learning to live and love like Jesus.

LBCF is an equal opportunity employer

Long Beach Christian Fellowship is committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcomes applicants of diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences who align with the church's mission and values.