Grace Presbyterian {PCA} Church was founded in 2001 and experienced a few ups and downs under the first two senior pastors. The current pastor, Marshall Brown, was called in 2014 and has brought clear vision and excellent leadership to the church over the last eight years. In 2017, they elected their first ever board of elders, and in 2019 rounded out their staff with a few key pastoral roles.
In the years since, Grace Presbyterian has continued to grow as they seek to change the landscape of the North Shore with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The primary demographic of the church has been skewing younger and is now hovering around people in their late 30s, causing the church to see an increase in young families. Each week, over 275 people participate in the Sunday gathering, including the 10am worship service and simultaneous children's ministry (infant - 4th grade).
Serving the affluent North Shore of Chicago area presents unique challenges to reaching people with the Gospel, but the opportunity for a leader who can understand the culture and live missionally within it is almost limitless. Grace is convinced the best days are still ahead as they continue to reach their community and let that influence spread.
As Grace searches for their next Director of Children's Ministry, they are seeking a highly relational team builder, and gifted administrator, who genuinely cares for kids and is passionate about helping them come to Jesus and hold on to Him when the world presses in, someone who welcomes children to grow in grace so that they serve God and their neighbors. A Gospel-motivated leader with a heart for the Chicagoland area and a captivating ability to connect with this unique culture will thrive in this ministry environment.
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN'S VISION FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
MISSION
Grace Presbyterian Church exists to welcome our neighbors, to grow together in Christ, and serve God in our community and world. This mission, rooted in Christ's Great Commission and Great Commandment (Matthew 28:18-20; 22:36-40), flows out of our fundamental belief that the grace of God, in Jesus Christ, changes everything.
VISION
Grace Presbyterian seeks to know and experience Jesus and make his kingdom and presence known on the North Shore, in Chicago, and beyond.
BELIEFS
Grace Presbyterian Church finds her roots in the historic creeds of the world-wide church. More specifically, we are Presbyterians. Presbyterians join in faith and practice through the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. The Westminster Confession was produced in the 17th century in England. It was written by hundreds of pastors and elders who met over a period of several years. The goal was to unite the church of Jesus by a unified expression of doctrine, worship, and church government. Though the language of this creed is antiquated it remains an incredibly helpful resource for the church as we look forward to see God's continued work in and through his people.
Want to experience a worship service at Grace? Visit their YouTube channel HERE.
LEADERSHIP
Senior Pastor | Marshall Brown
Marshall moved with his wife, Allison, to the North Shore in the spring of 2014 to become the Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian. In 2015, Allison and Marshall became the proud parents of a son, Peter. Prior to moving to Chicagoland, Marshall served as a pastor in Los Angeles and, before that, as campus minister (RUF) at the University of Alabama. Before becoming a pastor, he worked in finance and education. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA in History) and Reformed Theological Seminary (MDiv). Having lived in eight states and in three different time zones, the thing he appreciates most about the North Shore is the genuine Midwest kindness.
Assistant Pastor | Nick Swan
Nick joined the pastoral staff at Grace Presbyterian in September of 2019. Nick was born in Decatur, IL, but was raised in Muncie, Indiana. He attended Ball State University and The Juilliard School where he received degrees in oboe performance. After completing his musical studies, Nick was a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for three years, after which he made a transition into pastoral ministry. While serving as a pastor, he graduated with a MA from Reformed Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the staff at Grace, Nick served for 12 years as a pastor at churches in Charlotte, North Carolina and Elgin, Illinois. Nick and his wife, Rebecca, have three children: Kathryn, Daniel, and Caroline.
To meet, and learn more about, the team at Grace Presbyterian Church, click HERE.
Grace Presbyterian's congregation and surrounding neighborhoods are blessed with a flourishing number of families with young children. Parents in the North Shore and Northern suburb communities of Chicago highly value giving their kids the best in every area of life—scholastically, socially, and spiritually. Weekly and throughout the year, Grace's children's ministry provides a consistent, safe, and welcoming space for infants through 4th graders to learn about Jesus and grow to follow Him for life.
Sunday Mornings | 10am Worship Service
Utilizing The Gospel Project curriculum, children's ministry is available weekly in age/grade specific rooms: Nursery (up to 23 months), Toddlers (2's and 3's), Pre-K (4's and 5's) +Kindergarten, and Elementary (1st-4th grade).
Families are welcome to participate in the full service together or complete children's ministry check-in beforehand.
During the service, Nursery and Toddlers stay in their assigned rooms. Pre-K through 4th graders sit with their families until after the Children's Sermon.
The Infant and Toddler ministry environments at Grace are staffed with professional childcare workers.
Midweek, Summer, and Special Events
GraceKids! meets weekly on Wednesdays (6-7:15pm) for activities, Bible teaching, and games to help children (Pre-K through 4th grade) grow in their faith.
Grace Bible Camp (formerly VBS) is a vibrant summer outreach experience for kids and families. Approximately 135 kids attended VBS last year.
Family-Friendly Events for community building and serving are scheduled throughout the year.
CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
Team Building and Equipping
Grace needs a Director of Children's Ministry that draws in people who love God, love children, and love the church. There's an ever-growing number of young families moving to the area and checking out Grace for the first time. There's also an established ministry that serves 75+ children weekly. It's more important than ever to expand the volunteer leadership core to maximize ministry impact as God broadens the church's influence. The Director of Children's Ministry is responsible for developing, training, resourcing, and multiplying leaders and teams for effective, Gospel-centered ministry with kids (infants - 4th grade).
Intentional Ministry Development
The church's mission is clear: Grace exists to welcome our neighbors, to grow together in Christ, and serve God in our community and world. For the children's ministry to be a vital extension of this discipleship trajectory, it needs to be strategically advanced not simply maintained. The next Director of Children's Ministry will be charged with collaborating with the student ministries, and church as a whole, to align lifelong discipleship pathways for kids. What happens on weekends, midweek, and throughout the year will be evaluated through a lens of Gospel-centered purpose and increased influence. The Director of Children's Ministry will need to assess what exists, identify areas to enhance and scale ministry, and champion plans to move forward strategically and sustainably.
Authentic Cultural Connection
It takes concerted effort and patience to build bridges with the highly educated, affluent, and self-sufficient culture of Chicago's North Shore residents. Families in and around Grace appreciate tapping into outside resources, not because they feel the need, but to get ahead in life. The Director of Children's Ministry will succeed if they are able to be comfortable in their own skin and confident enough to engage with a culture that isn't easily convinced they need faith, God, or the church. On the other hand, there's an ongoing opportunity to engage with anyone that knocks on Grace's door looking for spiritual direction and answers. Families with young kids often desire to introduce them to church and discover more than a biblical moral perspective to adhere to. The Director of Children's Ministry needs to take steps personally, and as a ministry through curriculum and experiences, to connect in authentic, Christ-like ways with people of all ages who are searching for God.
LOCATION & DEMOGRAPHICS
Winnetka is in the North Shore community of Chicago, and is known for wealthy, powerful, "titans of industry." Movies like Home Alone, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 16 Candles, and similar films were either shot here or based on the area. Nestled along Lake Michigan's North Shore, Winnetka is a community of tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, renowned schools, outstanding parks, and quality recreation facilities. It's a wonderful place to raise a family.
Our mission at Grace Presbyterian Church is to welcome our neighbors to grow together in Christ and serve God in our community and world. Our congregation is drawn from a variety of communities along the North Shore and Northern suburbs of Chicago. Our children’s ministry program averages 75+ children each week, ages six-months to fourth grade.
PURPOSE
The Director of Children’s Ministry (DCM) is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordinating, and implementation of gospel-centered ministry environments for children from birth through fourth grade.
REPORTS TO: Assistant Pastor
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The DCM will cultivate his/her own spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical health; this includes membership and participation in the church
The DCM will nurture relationships with his/her spouse, friends, family, and the church community
If married, the spouse of the DCM should feel comfortable making Grace their church home
VOCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Effectively create and communicate a vision for children’s ministry that is aligned with the overall church
Be an advocate for children’s ministry and educate the congregation about the hopes, concerns, and needs of children in the local church and community
In collaboration with the Children and Youth Team, contribute to creating, organizing, and delivering an integrated strategy of discipleship for all of Family Ministry, from birth through high school students
Oversee, plan, and coordinate Children’s Ministry programming throughout the week and year, including mid-week programming (GraceKids), Grace Bible Camp (formerly, Vacation Bible School), and events
Ensure that appropriate safety and security procedures are followed in all Children’s Ministry contexts (e.g. check-in, check-out, 2-adult policies, etc.)
Develop systems of tracking children, parents, and attendance using church database
Recruit, train, and inspire both paid and volunteer staff to become leaders in the planning and implementation of relevant, effective, and safe ministry environments (in tandem with the Children and Youth Committee - CYC)
Develop and maintain a healthy volunteer culture and structure (in tandem with the CYC)
Oversee scheduling of paid and volunteer staff (in tandem with the CYC).
Oversee appropriate communication, making sure opportunities for connection and involvement are clear to children and parents in the church and in the community
Provide support and clear partnership points for children and families as they transition through both age and spiritual milestones like baptism, annual promotion Sundays, and promotion from children’s ministry to Middle School Youth
Ensure an annual children’s ministry budget has been created and submitted. Monitor expenses against that budget through the timely submission of expenses and review of quarterly budget reports
Maintain well-organized Children’s Ministry classrooms, storage areas, and office space
SKILLS, TRAITS, AND EXPERIENCE
Previous experience with ministry oversight and management of volunteers, ideally in a children’s ministry area
Detail-oriented and organized
Self-starter and disciplined to work in an unsupervised environment
Highly relational and possessing excellent people skills, with an orientation towards serving, empowering others, and building strong teams
Possess a strong working knowledge of standard office equipment, computers, proficiency in software programs including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, database systems, and use of the internet
QUALIFICATIONS / CHARACTERISTICS
Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years experience leading children's ministry in a local church or similar setting
Background and/or familiarity with PCA. Ordination or desire to pursue within the denomination is welcomed but not required
Cultivate his/her own spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical health
Nurture relationships with his/her spouse and family (if applicable)
Nurture relationships/friendships/community with others
CONTACT
Ready to take the next step?
To find out more about GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, please check out gracenorthshore.org and learn more about their doctrinal beliefs, vision and values and the many other ministries of the church.
If after taking a look, you sense that this would be a good fit for you, please contact:
