Director of Religious Education – Job description

All duties to be carried out in consultation with the R.E. Committee and Minister (or equivalent) and, wherever possible, with volunteer assistance:

Where stated 1 Unit = 3-4 hours, morning, afternoon or evening, per week.

1. Programming (Approx. 1 Unit):
1. Provide leadership for development of philosophy of religious growth and learning for children and youth.
2. Develop a calendar of events involving the Children’s R.E. Program.
3. Assist in planning and conducting intergenerational services and other special children’s events.
4. Lead children’s worship/story time, or arrange for others to do so.
5. Screen and select curriculum materials; order those selected.
6. Evaluate the curricula and classes once a year.
7. Develop or oversee development of resources as enhancement of curricula.
8. Provide leadership for R.E. Program goal-setting and input for congregational long-range planning.

2. Teaching Team Support (Approx. 1 Unit):
1. Recruit teachers and assistants.
2. Orient volunteers to Religious Education
3. Introduce the curricula and associated resources available.
4. Assist in developing program plans (as needed).
5. Establish with teachers a record-keeping system for attendance and program plans.
6. Provide informal support, encouragement, and troubleshooting.
7. Assist with library research for program planning.
8. Maintain a collection of resource materials and an orderly system for access by teachers.

3. Administration (Approx. 1 Unit):
1. Attend meeting of the R.E. Committee, church staff, and (as requested), the governing Board.
2. With office staff/volunteers, maintain R.E. budget, expenses, files and records.
3. Purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, within the budget.
4. Register families in September and throughout the year, and keep records of pertinent data.
5. Provide input for reports by the Convenor of the R.E. committee to the Board and the congregation, and prepare a report for the congregation’s Annual General Meeting.
6. Organize and maintain R.E. Resource library.
7. Handle correspondence from denominational bodies relevant to Religious Education.

4. Family Ministry (Approx. 1 unit):
1. Promote the concept of Family Ministry as central ministry of this congregation. (Family Ministry is that part of our ministry that supports parents and their children as members of this community and partners in our spiritual journeys).
2. Greet and orient new families.
3. Maintain an empathic relationship with all families within the congregation.
4. Lead and /or arrange for family support groups, classes or other activities.
5. Inform parents of the curricula and activities of the Religious Education program for children and youth.

5. Youth Ministry (Approx. 1 unit):
1. Facilitate development and continuity in youth programming.
2. Sit on the Youth Program Committee.
3. Serve as primary Advisor on the Senior Youth support team.
4. Cultivate a supportive and nurturing relationship with the congregation’s youth.
5. Facilitate Junior Youth activities (e.g. Coming-of-Age)

6. Promotion of the R.E. Program (Approx. ½ unit):
1. Advocate for and publicize the Children and Youth R.E. Program through the newsletter, etc.
2. Produce and distribute a brochure describing the Children’s R.E. Program with annual updates.
3. Plan an annual open house to promote participation in the R.E. Program.

7. Professional Development (Approx. ½ Unit):
1. Attend Renaissance Modules and other R.E. conferences to the extent permitted by the budget.
2. Maintain membership in LREDA (Liberal Religious Educator’s Association), paid for by the congregation.
3. Communicate with DREs and resource people from other congregations.
4. Continue self-directed enhancement of skills and knowledge pertinent to this position.