Job Description

Meet Hillside Church of Marin County

Hillside Church of Marin is a diverse group of people from all across Marin County. Some have been Christians for years; others are trying to decide if they even believe in a God. We are a multi-generational church with lots of young families and empty nesters. But what most people notice when they visit us are the smiles! What you won’t find at Hillside is a bunch of people pretending to be perfect with a holier-than-thou attitude. This is a group of people becoming, a group of people who find hope, meaning, and joy in the person and the work of Jesus.

We are a group of about 500 adults, and another 120 children and teens, with Sunday attendance currently averaging about 350. We have grown by 102% in the past two years.

In 2018, Hillside became a multi-site church using a network and live teaching model. Covid set that momentum back a bit but we relaunched our second location at the end of 2022 and it is once again gaining traction. Our vision is to steward growth by replanting in historic places of worship in neighborhoods around our county.

We have a heart for cooperation and friendship between churches in the Bay Area and are involved in leading the Marin Pastors Network as well as working closely with Transforming through Bay with Christ (TBC). We also value connections with and learning from the global church, working with an Iranian refugee church in Turkey, and Nairobi Chapel in Kenya. We have also benefited from almost three decades of Alpha and interactions with Holy Trinity Brompton in London. Feel free to watch some of our services and get a better sense of who we are on our website, and you can learn more about our amazing team members .

About the Pastor to Kids and Families

Hillside Church is a vibrant church with two locations just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco with a legacy of healthy ministry to kids and families. Marin County is one of the most secular places in the United States but we are seeing God move and we have been growing a lot! We’re looking for a relational and spiritually mature pastor who can lead a team to shape the spiritual lives of kids and families in our church and wider community. If you love developing leaders, serving kids, and equipping parents to raise kids in a very secular context, we would love to talk to you about joining our team. We have a dynamic and diverse team that are passionate about ministry in Marin. This is challenging soil but God is clearly at work and we can’t imagine a more rewarding place to serve Christ.

The Pastor to Kids and Families will give vision, leadership, and pastoral care to HillsideKids (infant through 5th grade) and equip parents to be the primary disciplers of their children. This person will create safe, engaging, Christ-centered environments where kids can experience God’s love, grow in faith, and develop lasting relationships. They will also sit at the church wide leadership table, helping shape the vision and ministry model of the church.

The Pastor to Kids and Families’ responsibilities include:

Ministry to Children

• Provide spiritual and organizational leadership for Sunday morning Kids Ministry (nursery–5th grade) at both locations.
• Develop and oversee curriculum, teaching, and environments that are joyful, biblically grounded, age-appropriate, and engaging.
• Recruit, train, and shepherd a team of volunteers who serve in Kids Ministry.
• Ensure that all environments are safe, welcoming, and in compliance with child protection policies.
• Collaborate with worship and tech teams to integrate kids into the larger worshipping life of the church.

Ministry to Families

• Cultivate strong relationships with parents and caregivers.
• Equip parents to be the primary spiritual influence in their children’s lives through workshops, resources, and support.
• Provide pastoral care for families in times of transition, challenge, or crisis.
• Offer family-focused events and opportunities that foster connection, community, and spiritual growth. (e.g. summer camps, family worship Sundays, seasonal celebrations).

Leadership and Integration

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to overall church vision and strategy.
• Collaborate with staff and ministry leads to ensure consistency and care across both sites.
• Occasionally preach on Sundays, offering a family ministry perspective to the broader congregation.
• Collaborate with other ministry leaders to ensure seamless transitions from Kids to Student Ministries and beyond.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Pastor to Kids and Families:

You’ll thrive in a position if…

• You get fired up and smile at the thought of kids coming to church!
• You know that “Orange” is more than a type of fruit.
• You enjoy identifying, developing, and releasing volunteer leaders.
• You love helping people get connected into community.
• Cultural and contextual complexity excites you. (Easy bores you.)
• You are comfortable both leading and following.
• You want to be a part of a healthy team together on a mission.
• You are experienced with and excited by an ethnic and socio-economic diversity.

Characteristics and Strengths

• An authentic, active walk with Christ that fuels compassionate ministry
• A love for local church ministry
• A self-starter with a high level of energy and enthusiasm
• Ability to think big picture and strategy without losing sight of details
• Team player demonstrating humility, and strong interpersonal skills
• A desire to learn and grow as a leader
• Alignment with Hillside’s core beliefs and mission.
• Experience and ability to successfully lead, recruit, develop, motivate, train, encourage, and challenge a team.
• Conducts life with the utmost integrity in all situations.
• Able to keep calm under pressure and respond in a measured way in stressful situations.
• Proven organizational and administrative skills.

Experience

• 5+ years of ministry leadership experience on a church staff with similar responsibilities
• Firm grasp of childhood development and healthy parenting principles.
• Proven ability to effectively recruit and lead staff and volunteer ministry teams to accomplish goals
• Proven ability to articulate the Christian faith, particularly the Gospel, to different age groups.
• Solid verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Tech savvy – Well-versed in Mac and cloud-based programs
• Seminary degree or comparable ministry experience.

What it’s like to live in Marin County (CA)

Living in Marin County offers a unique blend of stunning natural beauty and a relaxed, affluent lifestyle. Imagine waking up to the sight of rolling hills, redwood forests, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, with opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring the dramatic coastline always within reach. While the cost of living, particularly housing, is notably high, residents often find the top-rated schools, access to healthy living, and the strong sense of community well worth the investment. The proximity to San Francisco offers cultural and urban amenities, yet Marin maintains its own distinct, outdoorsy charm, making it a desirable haven for those seeking a balance between nature and convenience.

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