Youth Minister or Youth Group Leader

Job Description

Journey, Southside Parish Renewal
Youth Minister/Youth Group Leader

Job Title: Youth Minister/Youth Group Leader (Part-Time)
Compensation: $45/hour, up to 60 hours per month to start
Location: Hybrid - work from home and at the parishes in the Beverly/Morgan Park area of Chicago
Schedule: Flexible hours that include a mix of evenings, weekends, and weekdays
Reports to: Executive Director

Position Overview:
Journey is a youth ministry initiative of Southside Parish Renewal that fosters the spiritual and emotional growth of teens from parishes across Chicago's southwest side. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Journey accompanies young people on a spiritual path that nurtures self-development, active community engagement, and a lived relationship with God. Through innovative programming, Journey empowers youth to embrace life with courage, purpose, and hope.

We are seeking a creative and relational Youth Minister/Youth Group Leader to help build and implement a multi-parish program that responds to the needs of young people. This ministry emphasizes service experiences, contemplative practices, and spiritual development while integrating Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospels. The Youth Minister/Youth Group Lead will help young people encounter God through diverse entry points that include social activities, service experiences, contemplative practices, field experiences, mission trips, retreats, small group discussions, and other meaningful activities relevant to today's youth.

This is a part-time role (up to 60 hours per month to start), depending on programming success, organizational needs, and funding.

Key Responsibilities:
•Co-design and lead youth group activities that include service, contemplative practices, spiritual development, social events, and retreats.
•Create inclusive spaces that welcome teens from varied levels of religious practice.
•Facilitate spiritual development by leading reflection and shared faith experiences, while guiding teens to discover their purpose and deepen their connection with God.
•Integrate Catholic Social Teaching into programming in ways that are engaging, practical, and relevant to young people.
•Build strong, supportive relationships with youth and their families.
•Collaborate with the Executive Director, parish staff, volunteers, and community partners to develop innovative programming.
•Encourage intergenerational connections through parish and community involvement.
•Assist with recruitment, communications, training, and support of volunteers.
•Contribute ideas to long-term planning and program innovation.
•Assist with various committee meetings.
•Must complete CPR certification, VIRTUS training, and all required child safety protocols.

Qualifications:
•Demonstrated experience successfully working with teens in ministry, education, social work, educational psychology, or related settings.
•Strong understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospels.
•Ability to engage youth through diverse activities: service, arts, sciences, sports, and more.
•Demonstrates creativity, flexibility, and a deep understanding of adolescent development.
•Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
•Able to mentor young leaders, equipping them to take responsibility for aspects of the ministry.
•Must live in the Chicagoland area.

Preferred:
•Completed or in-progress degree or certification in Pastoral Studies, Theology, Religious Education, Youth Ministry or related field.
•Experience in Catholic school education or parish ministry.

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to Carol Larson, Executive Director at carlarson@archchicago.org

About the Employer

Journey is a youth ministry initiative of Southside Parish Renewal that fosters the spiritual and emotional growth of teens from parishes across Chicago's southwest side. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Journey accompanies young people on a spiritual path that nurtures self-development, active community engagement, and a lived relationship with God. Through innovative programming, Journey empowers youth to embrace life with courage, purpose, and hope.