I’ve gotten this question a few times from youth workers looking for their next ministry, or from an intern ready to step out on their own. Here’s 4 places/ways I’ve seen success in finding a youth worker position. Add another in the comments!
YS Job Bank – this one is by far the most comprehensive listing on the web, but you’ll get positions all over the place in size, denomination. You can either search open positions or post your resume and let them come to you. It works both ways! They’re currently offline because of a redesign but have promised to return today. A-
ChurchStaffing.com – Church staffing covers the whole range of positions, but manages to have a good number of churches that trust their website with youth ministry positions. A good source. B+
YouthPastor.com Job Center – Another great website that includes a bunch of new positions all over the map. You can select by denomination or region, which is a great feature, too. The designis tired, but the content is still solid. B-
TonyMorganLive.com – Tony regularly posts available positions on his blog. Decent selection, guaranteed fresh B+
Word of Mouth - Honestly, there’s no better way than word of mouth or a recommendation from a friend. It certainly isn’t all about who you know, but having some friends looking out for you or putting in a good word really gives you an advantage. A+
Network/Denomination/Individual Church Website – Often times a denomination or network of youth workers can help you find an open position. And don’t forget about checking out a specific church’s website or following a pastor’s blog to help you find an open position. These are often more niche and intentional postings, looking for a very specific person that might just be you. A
Of course, remember at the end of the day God has called us to be faithful and will open and close doors and put you in the right place.
JG
Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
http://www.willowcreek.com/exchange. It usually has a dozen or so positions listed but they are usually ones that you wont find on other sites.
wanna remind all your blogging friends that i need a job?? ha. =)
Plus — if someone is looking for a job in the non-profit sector…non-profit org on Myspace is always giving tips/websites/etc of places to find jobs: http://www.myspace.com/nonprofitorganizations
I got my current job via the YS Job Bank, so I recommend that one.
If you’re in the Northeast or the East Coast and your’re looking, http://www.ministrylist.com is also good source for finding a job, but they are not specifically targeted at youth pastor positions, although they do have many regional ones not posted on the other job banks. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary runs it and you have to be an alumni to post your resume, but the job search is open to all who come to the site.
If you’re in Canada, Briercrest’s website has a good job bank and so does http://www.ministryemployment.ca.
hey Josh, thanks for the awesome mention for ChurchStaffing.com. We just released a press announcement for our acquisition of Intercristo. I’ll paste the release below for your own reading!
Salem Web Network Acquires Intercristo.com
Site Further Strengthens Salem’s Position as Christian Employment Services Leader
Richmond, VA, June 23, 2008 — Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:SALM), the leading radio broadcaster, Internet content provider and magazine and book publisher focused on Christian, conservative values and family-themed content announced that it has acquired Intercristo.com, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected online Christian employment websites, from CRISTA Ministries.
The addition of Intercristo.com will complement Salem’s other job-focused websites, ChristianJobs.com and ChurchStaffing.com, offering job-seekers the broadest selection of opportunities while giving Christian-friendly companies and organizations access to the largest Christian audience anywhere.
According to Rick Killingsworth, senior vice president of Salem Web Network, Intercristo.com will enhance the company’s ability to serve the unique employment needs of the Christian marketplace. “Intercristo.com has long been one of the preeminent websites focusing on employment within the Christian community. With this addition to our growing portfolio of sites, Salem Web Network is now the one-stop employment source serving faith-based and family-friendly consumers and businesses.”
CRISTA President and CEO Bob Lonac commented that the sale of Intercristo to Salem Web Network was the next step in the growth of the Christian employment site. “After much consideration and prayer between all parties, it was clear that Intercristo could reach a far greater number of people for the mission of serving Christ when matched with Salem and the massive exposure this partnership will provide.”
In addition to Intercristo.com, Salem owns ChristiannJobs.com, ChurchStaffing.com, OnePlace.com, Christianity.com, Crosswalk.com, SermonSearch.com, CrossCards.com, CrossDaily.com, and TheFish.com, making Salem the number one online destination for Christian content.