At Church of the Vale, kids' ministry has never been childcare with a craft table. It's the front line.

Around 200 children walk through our doors every Sunday, and they are met by a Vale Kids team who give their weekends over to them — not to fill a roster, but because they believe what happens in those rooms matters eternally.

We're looking for aChildren's Pastorto lead them.

Who we are

The vision of Church of the Vale to draw people into an ever-increasing relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Three values hold that vision up:

Presence of GodAn intimate relationship with Jesus is core to who we are. We will always pursue His presence and hold it in reverence, respect and awe.

Priority of PeopleGod sent Jesus for everyone. People are His priority and so they are ours also, no matter their nation, age, stage, or tribe.

Pursuit of PurposeWe invite everyone to experience the fulfilment that comes from pursuing the purpose God has for them.

These three values are expressed asPRESENCE. PEOPLE. PURPOSE.

This role is about discipleship, not entertainment. It's about raising a generation who know the presence of God for themselves, know they matter to Him, and know He has a purpose for their life.

No one person can carry that. Which is exactly why this role exists — toequip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Your primary work is building the pathway that develops and releases a team who can bring this vision to life week after week, long after any one leader moves on.

The mandate

To establish and grow an expansive kids ministry — Vale Kids — in full alignment with Church of the Vale's vision.

In practice, that means you are not expected to run the program every week — you are expected to raise, disciple and release the leaders who do. You'll pastor a large volunteer team, build clear pathways that take someone from first-time helper to confident leader, carry the vision for what Vale Kids becomes over the next five years, and make sure every child who walks in encounters Jesus in an environment that is safe, excellent, and genuinely fun.

What you'll be doing

Leading Sunday

Provide leadership and oversight of the Sunday children's program across all services

Disciple, support and equip the team leaders who run the weekly programs

Ensure every environment is spiritually intentional, safe, well-structured, engaging and age-appropriate

Hold a high standard of authenticity and excellence across every children's space

Building the team

Pastor, disciple and develop a team of the children's ministry volunteers

Raise,



mentor and empower leaders — and then raise the leaders after them

Build a culture of spiritual growth, ownership, unity and care

Make sure no one on your team is a name on a roster: pastoral care and personal discipleship are part of the job

Connecting with families

Maintain intentional connection with children and their families throughout the week, not just on Sundays

Partner with parents in the spiritual development of their kids

Support and facilitate parenting seminars and family discipleship resources

Keep strong communication pathways open between the church and our families

Growing what's next

Bring fresh vision, creativity and innovation into children's ministry

Continually evaluate and develop programs so they stay effective and impactful

Carry the vision for growth — expanded playgroups, early childhood programs (Mainly Music or similar), new mums initiatives, and current ways of serving families in our community

Provide oversight and coordination of playgroups and midweek children's activities

Integrating kids into the whole church

Oversee children's involvement in key church moments — Vision, Easter, Move Of God, Expand, Christmas, child dedications, Mother's Day and Father's Day services

Ensure children are meaningfully represented in the wider life of the church

Strengthen the bridge between Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry

Stewarding it well

Manage and steward the children's ministry budget and related income streams

Promote Vale Kids events and initiatives across a range of communication channels

Maintain accurate records of attendance, engagement and ministry outcomes

Oversee all permissions and permits required for staff and team — Blue Cards, Safe Ministry training, WHS induction

Who we're looking for

You're someone with:

A living relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and a commitment to your own continual spiritual growth

A genuine love for kids — and an equally genuine love for the adults who serve them

Proven leadership: you can select, train, develop and multiply volunteer leaders

The ability to communicate clearly and confidently with children, parents, team and church leadership





Confidence with public speaking and leading from the front

Faithfulness to the vision, values and strategies of Church of the Vale, and respect and loyalty toward the Senior Minister and leadership

A teachable spirit — open to correction, coaching and feedback

Spiritual maturity: forgiving, non-judgemental, appropriately assertive, and consistent under pressure

Sound administration: you can prioritise, manage correspondence and appointments, work to a budget, and use Microsoft Office and new technology without fear

The highest standards of honesty, integrity and confidentiality

Flexibility — this church is growing, and ongoing change comes with the territory

You'll be anACC credentialed pastor, or willing to work toward credentialing. Alongside leading Vale Kids, you'll contribute to the wider growth of the church.

Working with Children Blue Card (current, or able to obtain before commencement)

ACC Safer Churches Safe Ministry training — child safety isn't a policy folder here, it's how we operate. Every leader is trained, screened and accountable.

First Aid training — preferred; Church of the Vale will fund this if you don't already hold it

Current 'C' class driver's licence and own transport (preferred)

Compliance with Work Health & Safety Act 2011 obligations and Church of the Vale's policies and procedures

The details

Employment:Part time contract for the remainder of 2026,with the intention to move to full time in 2027, subject to review.

Hours:26.8 hours per week (3.5 days) in 2026, including Sundays, increasing to 38 hours per week (full time) in 2027

Award:Non award

Reports to:Generations Upline

Direct reports:Children's Ministry Team Leaders

Remuneration:Commensurate with experience and discussed at interview

Review:Annually

NOTE:This role begins as a part time contract at 26.8 hours per week (3.5 days, including Sundays) for the remainder of 2026. From 2027 the position is resourced to full time at 38 hours per week.

A note on this role

This is a genuine ministry position. In accordance with sections 25 and 109 of theAnti-Discrimination Act 1991(Qld), it is a genuine occupational requirement that the successful applicant hold and actively live out the Christian faith, be in agreement with the Church's Statement of Faith, and be an active participating member of a Christian church.

Applications close6th October 2026 Only applicants that are successful in going to the interview round will be contacted. Contact will be made after the application process is closed.

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📌 Children's Pastor (Ripley)
🏢 Church of the Vale
📍 Ripley