Director of Special Needs

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Special Needs Ministries will be responsible for all facets of the Disabilities Ministries at Grace Church. In collaboration with our Kids, Students, Family, Care and Adult Ministries, the director will be responsible for creating a safe, welcoming and loving environment where children and adults with special needs, along with their families, can come to know Christ, grow in their relationship with the Lord and be part of a community. Additionally, the Director will be a resource, both spiritually and practically, for special needs families and will seek to grow the scope and depth of this ministry as an outreach to the greater metro area. The specific ministry areas are listed below in detail.

• Have the temperament, personality, and life experience to connect with and minister to individuals and families with special needs, both cognitive and physical.
• Have the ability to promote and cast a compelling vision for this ministry.
• Have a good balance between interpersonal/relational skills and leadership/ministry execution abilities, with a high degree of authentic empathy and compassion.
• Have a proven track record as an effective recruiter of high-quality volunteers, with the ability to train them and provide effective ongoing coaching, encouragement and correction when needed.
• Have a proven track record as an effective collaborator in a complex/matrixed organization.
• Have the ability to strategically plan ministry cycles within 1-2-year intervals while providing updates to their supervisor, comparing progress to annual goals.

Specific ministry responsibilities include:

• Sunday school classes for children, teens, young adults, and adults, as well as a “buddy system” inclusion program in the regular Sunday and Wednesday Kid’s ministry.
• Respite nights for special needs families (4/year).
• Support/Bible study groups for moms and dads of children with special needs.
• Resourcing and support to special needs families.
• Yearly Moms’ retreat and occasional Dads’ retreats for special needs families for community & encouragement.
• Prayer ministry.
• Monthly e-newsletter to foster connection, information, and community within the disabilities community at Grace.
• Ongoing connection with other local and national disability organizations for learning and best practice guidance.
• Manage resources efficiently while staying within budget.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

PROFESSIONAL AND SPIRITUAL EXPECTATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Ministry
• Experience: 5+ years of experience.
• Grace Church’s member or willing to be a member.
• Exhibits a meaningful and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as evidence by the manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
• Has a commitment to personal and active participation in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20).
• For Pastoral Ministries Staff positions, the staff member is willing to become a member of Grace Church, regularly and consistently attending the weekend worship services and participating in the life of the church.
• Has demonstrated skills in relating to and working with people, especially volunteers, church staff, the congregation and others, within a team environment.
• Has demonstrated a spiritual capacity and heart willingness to view this ministry as a being a ministry unto the Lord, by serving the body of Grace Church.
• Compatibility with the Grace Church Mission, Vision, Values, and Priorities and a lifestyle appropriate to a person in Christian Ministry.
• Has a commitment to prayer, as evidenced in both corporate and personal prayer times.
• The staff member agrees to abide by the staff handbook and in agreement with Grace Church’s Statement of Faith.