Parish Assistant; Nantes, France

Alongside Ministries International serves as partners with (alongside) individuals, churches, and ministries across cultures to strengthen the Church together and advance the Gospel worldwide. We are currently serving in Albania, Estonia, Germany, France, and Scotland. We focus on…
• Equipping youth
• Developing leaders
• Sending cross-cultural workers
• Training short-term mission teams
• Promoting world mission vision
• Supporting the development of strategic ministries such as camps.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY
The Reformed Church of Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) will partner with Alongside Ministries International (AMI) to welcome into the congregation a Parish Assistant for an initial period of two years. During the first year, it is anticipated that the Parish Assistant will pursue a course in language study on a part-time basis (50%).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The position will center around three areas of priority:

1. Leading and coordination of Christian Education for children and teenagers (Approx 70 children), including monthly confirmation classes and special youth worship services

2. Leading and coordination of Christian Education of young adult groups (age 18-30), including weekly gatherings, small groups, and relationship building

3. Helping the Pastor, depending on skills and interests, in other parish activities (Prayer groups, the Alpha Course, services in the nursing home, home visits) or in administrative tasks (correspondence, telephone, word-processing etc).

The Parish Assistant will be available to serve the church for a minimum of 20 hours per week and will have five weeks of vacation per year. He/she will participate in the meetings and conferences organized by AMI on ministry time. The Parish Assistant will be entitled to one day off per week, preferably Mondays.

TRAINING
The Parish Assistant will be given the opportunity to study the French language (depending on level of fluency). Initially, the Parish Assistant will be encouraged to pursue intensive French classes (15/20 hours per week).

The Parish Assistant will also participate in the BAFA training (Certification for camp leadership - costs will be covered by the church/ERF) in order to conform to French legal requirements.
The Parish Assistant may also participate in training organized at the presbytery, regional or national levels by the Eglise Réformée de France (ERF) in the areas relating to his/her ministry priorities (Christian education, youth work, visitation, discipleship…)

COMMITMENTS OF THE PARISH
1. Support group - A group of three people will meet with the Parish Assistant at least once every two months for personal and spiritual mentoring.

2. Compensation (ministry expenses) - The parish will make a regular contribution towards the ministry expenses (transportation, communication, hospitality, outings…) of the Parish Assistant to the order of 150 Euros per month. With the agreement of the Pastor, the Parish Assistant may also, if necessary, use the parish car.

3. Housing and office – The parish will provide a furnished room for the Parish Assistant in one of the apartments adjacent to the church, as well as an office in one of the parish rooms (with internet access).

QUALIFICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS This person must…
• Demonstrate a passion and a giftedness to evangelize the youth and young adults.
• Demonstrate a spiritual maturity as well as a desire to be trained in cross-cultural ministry.
• Be able to take personal initiative in assigned areas of ministry as well as work under the leadership of a team of local leaders.
• Have gifting in the area of leadership and training with a proven capacity for team-work.
• Be comfortable with involvement in a Protestant Church with an openness to the Protestant faith as it is practiced in France/Europe.
• Have a working knowledge of French, but it is not necessary to be bilingual.
• Make a minimum two-year commitment and be over 20 years of age. College experience is desired.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Alongside Ministries International is supported through the faithful giving of friends and partners in Europe and the US. Personal fundraising for this position will be required, however lodging will be provided. Administrative and communications support is also provided to this position to assist with personal support network.

CONTACT
Margie Gilchrist, Executive Director' Alongside Ministries International
PO Box 13159; Oakland, CA 94661
Tel/Fax: 510-531-6530
Email: recruiting@alongside.org