Employment Opportunity

About Salt House Church
Salt House Church, nestled in the heart of the South Rose Hill neighborhood of Kirkland, is a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to embodying the teachings of Jesus with a focus on social progressivism and radical inclusivity within the framework of the Lutheran (ELCA) tradition – see Church Clarity (link needed).
Salt House is a community that celebrates the love of God revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  And it’s because of this love that we are committed to the radical inclusion of all people and the necessary work of anti-racism. So, no matter how we feel or what we believe, our race or physical ability, our gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, what we’ve done or haven’t done, whether we have questions or think we have all the answers, we are all truly welcomed and affirmed.
Our goal is to grow and be changed by our relationship with God, with those we call friends, and with the world around us, including our beloved neighbors and partners in service at Kirkland Place, a zero-barrier shelter for unhoused women and families.  Our mission is to make a profound impact in our neighborhood guided by God’s love.
Salt House’s mission is to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love, and joins God’s movement of healing, justice, and hope for the world. We believe the Holy Spirit calls this community together to find a home in God’s beloved community, learning to love like Jesus, as salt and light for the world.
About the Role
At Salt House Church, we believe youth ministry is first and foremost about relationships — creating spaces where students feel seen, known, loved, and welcomed exactly as they are. We are entering a meaningful season of rebuilding and renewal in our youth ministry, and we are looking for a Youth Programming Lead who feels called to walk alongside middle and high school students with warmth, consistency, curiosity, and faith.
This role is designed for someone who wants to make a real difference in the lives of young people during an important season of growth, questions, identity, and belonging. Our hope is not simply to build and run programs, but to cultivate an affirming Christ-centered community where students can experience authentic connection, explore faith honestly, and discover that they are deeply loved by God and by their church community.
Over the past year, participation in the ministry has declined, and part of this role will involve helping rebuild trust, connection, and excitement among students and families. We are looking for someone who is relationally proactive — someone willing to lovingly pursue students who may have drifted away, feel disconnected, or simply have not yet found their place. This role calls for a leader who sees ministry not as “if you build it, they will come,” but as adaptive to the needs to those who are in the room, and those who are absent.
An especially important part of this season will be cultivating a strong culture of adult volunteers who genuinely know and love our students. We believe youth thrive when surrounded by caring adults who listen well, show up consistently, communicate openly, and share the work of ministry together. Our hope is to create a sustainable and supportive community where students are deeply connected not just to one leader, but to the wider church family. Because this role exists within a season of discernment and rebuilding, adaptability, creativity, and collaboration will be especially valuable.
This position is currently envisioned as a part-time role during a year of discernment as Salt House explores a longer-term vision for ministry with children, youth, and families. At the same time, we remain open to the possibility that the right person for this season could grow in responsibility a longer-term role if their gifts, calling, experience, and theological development align with the future needs of the church.
The Youth Leader will help create a safe, supportive, inclusive, and joy-filled environment through weekly gatherings, shared meals, service opportunities, retreats, fun events, conversations about faith, and everyday relationship-building.
ROLE OBJECTIVE:
To build, implement and oversee youth programming at Salt House Church for middle and high school students in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. Lead discussions and teachings that explore age-appropriate lessons on biblical, spiritual, and relational topics for the furthering of spiritual development and the personal ownership of faith. A rhythm of monthly fun activities, communion-meal nights, and service projects give variety to these gatherings.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Weekly Youth Programming
Plan, prepare and lead engaging weekly programming for middle school (grade 6-8) and high school (grade 9-12) students which may include separate or combined gatherings.

• Design age appropriate, spiritually substantive weekly meetings that reflect Salt House commitment to faith, love, justice, and inclusion.
• Create programming that holds together spiritual depth and honest engagement with the world students are actually living.
• Build a youth community culture where difference is celebrated, hard questions are welcomed, and every individual experiences genuine belonging.
• Maintain consistent programming rhythms that student and families can depend on throughout the program year.
• Evaluate and adapt programming regularly based on student engagement, feedback, and the evolving needs of the community.

Curriculum Selections & Implementation
Collaborate with church staff and leadership to identify, select, and implement curriculum that aligns with the congregation’s faith and formation goals.

• Research and evaluate curriculum that integrates Scripture, Lutheran teachings and substantive engagement.
• Partner with the Senior Pastor and other staff to ensure theological consistency with Salt House’s mission and values.
• Adapt and contextualize curriculum materials to address the lived experiences of a diverse group of young people – including students of different abilities and color, LGBTQ+ students, and students from a wide range of family backgrounds.
• Intentionally incorporate content and practices emphasizing inclusion as a regular dimension of faith formation.
• Track curriculum progress and adjust implementation responsively throughout the program year.

Event Planning and Retreats
Develop and execute a calendar of special events, service opportunities, and retreats that deepen community, expand students’ worldview, and connect faith to action.

• Organize service and immersion opportunities that move students beyond charity into genuine solidarity and systemic understanding.
• Plan and coordinate two fundraising events each year, involving youth
• Coordinate seasonal events that connect youth to the liturgical life of the congregation and to the broader movements of love and justice Salt House participates in.
• Manage event logistics including transportation, permissions, budgets, meals, and participant communications, ensuring all events reflect Salt House’s safety policies and values.

Relational Ministry with Youth
Build genuine, meaningful, and appropriately boundaried relationships with individual students as the irreplaceable foundation of effective youth ministry.

• Invest intentionally in getting to know each student – their story, their questions, their struggles, their gifts, and their identity.
• Be present and available to students beyond scheduled programming (e.g. attending school events, games or performances when appropriate).
• Maintain safe, transparent and professionally boundaried relationships with all minors in alignment with Safe Church policies.
• Serve as a spiritually grounded and affirming presence during some of the most formative years of students’ lives.

Family Engagement
Partner actively with the full diversity of families represented in the Salt House community – honoring every family structure.

• Establish regular touchpoints with parents, guardians and caregivers to share updates, gather input and build trust.
• Create opportunities for family involvement in youth ministry events and programming.
• Provide families with resources and encouragement to support faith conversations – including conversations about justice, identity, and what it means to love neighbor – at home.
• Be responsive and accessible to family concerns, questions and needs.
• Collaborate with families around key milestones such as Confirmations, graduations, etc.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Maintain proactive, clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders – including youth, families, volunteers, staff and the broader congregation.

• Publish and maintain a youth ministry calendar and distribute it through appropriate channels (emails, bulletin, app, social media).
• Send timely communications regarding upcoming events, registration deadlines, and program changes -  communicating in ways that are culturally aware, gender inclusive and accessible to the full diversity of the Salt House community.
• Provide regular updates to church leadership and staff on the health, direction and needs of the youth program.
• Represent the youth program as an integral and vibrant part of Salt House’s larger mission.
• Respond to inquiries from students, families and church members in a timely, warm and professional manner.

Volunteer Leadership & Development
Recruit, equip, lead and care for a team of adult volunteers who reflect Salt House’s values and share in the priority of working with young people.

• Recruit volunteers who are themselves committed to radical inclusion, anti-racism and the full affirmation of all young people.
• Provide clear expectations, training, and ongoing support to all volunteers.
• Facilitate regular volunteer team gatherings for planning, formation, and community.
• Ensure all volunteers complete required background checks and Safe Church training in accordance with church and synod requirements.
• Recognize and appreciate volunteers’ contributions and invest in their growth and retention.

Congregational Participation
Model and nurture active participation in the full life of Salt House – helping young people experience themselves as belonging to and contributing to the whole community of faith.

• Attend Sunday worship regularly and integrate youth meaningfully into the worshiping life of the congregation.
• Participate in staff meetings, church events, and justice initiatives that are part of the Salt House congregational calendar.
• Coordinate opportunities for youth to serve and contribute within worship.
• Foster intergenerational relationships that connect young people to the broader Salt House family and its mission in the world.

Qualifications

• Active Christian faith with a personal commitment to Salt House values and practices (or sincere openness to it).
• 2-5 years experience in youth programs, education, or a related field.
• Proven ability to relate to youth, foster healthy interpersonal relationships among them, and earn their respect and trust.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate the Gospel in a clear and compelling way to middle and high school students. Comfortable leading prayer.
• Cultural humility and demonstrated competency working across lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and family background.
• Strong relational skills with the ability to connect authentically with teenagers and their families.
• Self-motivation and demonstrated organizational and event planning abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers and the lay leadership.
• Willingness to complete background check, Safe Church training, and any other required certifications.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Core Competencies:
All employees of Salt House Church are required to be able to work effectively with church staff, lay leaders, members, and the general public. Each employee is expected to demonstrate the following core competencies and values:

• Collaboration and teamwork in service of a common goal
• Commitment to supporting, equipping, and empowering volunteers
• Adaptability in response to changing roles, needs, and ministry challenges
• Open, clear and timely communication
• Understanding and respect for professional boundaries
• Respect for and inclusiveness of all individuals, consistent with the Salt House mission
• Protection of confidential information

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work schedule includes attendance at worship services on Sundays, and middle and high school youth groups on Sundays or an evening during the week (you will have input in determining regular meeting times).
• Occasional events and/or retreats on weekends.
• At least 1 overnight retreat per year.
• Required to speak and listen.
• Ability to lift or move up to 10-20 lbs.
• Position requires flexibility in scheduling.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily within the physical parameters and work environment described above. The requirements listed herein are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required and of the general working conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• This position requires a national background check.
• This position requires proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• The position requires Safe Haven Training (to be provided by Salt House).
• This position requires you to have and maintain CPR and 1st Aid Certification.
• This position requires you to have and maintain a valid driver’s license and personal transportation to get to and from work and related off-site events

Apply by sending resume and cover letter to hiring@salthousechurch.org.