converge

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 5,800

Meet Central Church

Central Church is a Christian congregation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and focused on helping people share the love of Jesus with those closest to them—family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Founded in 1883 by Swedish immigrants and later known as Central Baptist Church, the church simplified its name to Central Church in 2015 to reflect a welcoming and outward-focused identity. Grounded in biblical teaching and historic Christian beliefs, Central Church emphasizes worship, discipleship, community, and local and global outreach, encouraging people of all ages to grow in their faith and live it out relationally in everyday life.

The church is affiliated with the Converge denomination while functioning day-to-day as a largely non-denominational congregation in theology, practice, and culture.

Oikos 

At Central Church, you’ll often hear the word oikos. In Greek, oikos means family or household and refers to the 8–15 people who make up your immediate relational world. Everyone has an oikos, and our goal is to help you share how Jesus is working in your life with those closest to you. Rather than focusing on “cold” evangelism, Central equips people to invite and engage their existing relationships, taking pressure off evangelism and allowing it to happen naturally. This philosophy has shaped a high-invite culture where faith is shared organically through trusted relationships.

About the High School Pastor

Central Church is looking for a high capacity and collaborative High School Pastor/Director (HSP/D). They must lead by example with character, competency, and a passion for students. At the heart of Student Central is a commitment to LifeGroups. This role, in partnership with the entire student ministry team, will be responsible for equipping, encouraging, recruiting, and retaining a team of 200+ adult volunteers. They will collaborate with the other student ministry pastors by providing fresh eyes for “what could be” or “what if” for student ministry, while also demonstrating a proven ability to manage and implement initiatives effectively following the visionary stage. The HSP/D should have strong relational abilities with students and adult leaders. Lastly, they will work closely with our current high school pastor to lead our high school leaders and students at an exceptional level.

Time Commitment and Relationship:This is a full-time position that qualifies for benefits. The HSP/D will serve as part of the Student Central Team and will serve under the supervision of the NextGen Pastor.

The High School Pastor's responsibilities include:

Responsibilities

• Lead a volunteer team structure that requires clear communication, encouragement, training, and appreciation. 
• Work collaboratively with our current student pastors to plan and execute biblically accurate, creative, meaningful, and high-energy Wednesday nights. 
• Assist in creating weekly LifeGroup curriculum and guides for leaders.
• Collaborate in creating and managing a student ministry calendar.
• Lead summer activities and trips.
• Demonstrate ongoing growth by exemplifying Central’s “humble, hungry, and smart” leadership model.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the High School Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Degree Preferred: The position prefers a Bachelor's degree.
• Ordination: Ordination is not required for this role.
• Related Experience: The job description specifies a need for at least 2 years of related experience with students, education, coaching, or church ministry.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Theological Alignment: Must hold a personal faith in Jesus Christ and agree with the church's Statement of Faith, a traditional view of marriage and sexuality, and Believer’s Baptism. Demonstrates an open yet discerning posture toward charismatic spiritual gifts.
• Ministry Philosophy & Culture: Understanding of the "Oikos" mission (relational evangelism focusing on the 8–15 people in one's life). Knowledge of the "Humble, Hungry, and Smart" leadership model (from Patrick Lencioni), which is central to the staff culture.
• Youth Culture & Trends: For the High School role, knowledge of Gen Z/Gen Alpha trends is expected, utilizing resources like Barna, Pew Research, and the Fuller Youth Institute.
• Technical Proficiency: Competency in Google Workspace and church database applications.

Skills

• Recruitment & Mobilization (Crucial): Proven ability to recruit, develop, train, coach, and care for a large team of 200+ adult volunteers. 
• Teaching & Communication: Ability to teach students effectively. Skills in writing curriculum (e.g., Book study on James) and creating weekly LifeGroup guides. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic Planning & Organization: Ability to manage complex calendars and execute high-energy Wednesday night events. Organizational skills to manage logistics for summer activities and trips.
• Collaboration: Ability to work in a multi-staff environment and collaborate with other departments (e.g., communications team). The ability to work closely with the current student pastor and collaborate on vision.

Abilities & Attributes

• Leadership Capacity: Someone who can handle complexity. Proven ability to pivot and adjust plans quickly in response to changing circumstances. A self-starter who can mobilize people without relying solely on salary/staff authority.
•  Interpersonal & Relational: Smart in the context of people skills (dealing with others effectively). Strong ability to build relationships with students, adult leaders, and parents. Willingness to step into uncomfortable moments and conversations with students, leaders, or parents.
• Role-Specific Traits: Specifically requires a proven calling to minister to teenagers. For this role, a "Big Personality" and "Stage Presence" are desired. Passion for fostering a fun culture while delivering results. Summer programming and mission trips are included in yearly events and expectations.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Embrace and live out Central’s mission, vision, and staff values, with a clear calling to minister to teenage girls and help them grow closer to Jesus.
• Minimum of two years of experience in student ministry, education, coaching, or a related field, preferably within a multi-staff environment.
• Strong ability to teach students, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and foster a fun, positive culture while delivering excellent results.
• Proficient in Google Workspace, church databases, and related tools, with strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, develop, and care for a large volunteer team, and willingness to engage in challenging conversations with students, leaders, and parents.
• Ability to collaborate effectively on a team and provide thoughtful, female-specific guidance to students.

What it's like to live in Sioux Falls, SD

Living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offers the best of both worlds for young adults who want room to breathe and room to grow. The city combines a welcoming small city vibe with the momentum of a place on the rise, featuring a growing job market in healthcare, finance, tech, and manufacturing, along with opportunities for entrepreneurship and career advancement. With a low cost of living and short commutes, it is easier to afford a great apartment, enjoy life outside of work, and have time for the things you love.

Sioux Falls offers an active and social lifestyle, with miles of bike trails, scenic parks, and the Big Sioux River weaving through the heart of downtown. The city’s food, coffee, and craft brewery scenes continue to expand, creating natural gathering places for friends and community. Local events, live music, festivals, and a revitalized downtown give the city a vibrant rhythm without the congestion or pressure of a major metro.

While winters bring snow and cold, they also foster a shared sense of resilience and connection, balanced by beautiful summers, crisp falls, and a true appreciation for the changing seasons. Overall, Sioux Falls is a place where young adults can build meaningful relationships, pursue fulfilling careers, and enjoy a high quality of life without sacrificing affordability, authenticity, or community.