Scroll down to learn more about the Next Gen Director of Youth & Children's Ministries Position at First United Methodist Church
Click on a photo below to email one of the FUMC staff members:

About Us - Staff



Sydnor Thompson, III, Pastor

Over his 35 year ministry, Sydnor has served churches in Texas and North Carolina, including most recently Myers Memorial United Methodist Church in Gastonia.

Hailing originally from Charlotte, Sydnor graduated High School in Christchurch, NZ and received his A.B. (1977) and M. Div. (1981) from Duke University. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (1988). Sydnor served 23 years in the United States Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps, retiring as a Captain in December 2015. He deployed twice during that time to Iraq (2005-2006) and Afghanistan (2012-2013).

Sydnor is married to the former Kelly Stone, of Decatur, Alabama, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife. Sydnor has two adult daughters, Adaire and Angela, both living in New York.

Next Gen Director of Youth & Children's Ministries Position

​If You Are:
  • Passionate about Jesus and love sharing Him with kids, families, volunteers, and people in the community.
  • Able to lead and build a team that executes the existing Youth & Children’s ministry.
  • Able to connect with parents and equip them to be the leader of their child’s spiritual development.
  • An excellent communicator (written and verbal) and project manager with strong attention to details, the ability to meet deadlines and multiple projects at once, and great administrative and time management skills.
You’ll Get To:
  • Make improvements to Small Groups as needed to provide a high-quality program and excellent experience for kids Preschool-12th Grade.
  • Lead, coach, recruit, develop, and build relationships with our volunteers.
  • Provide and implement next level creative ideas to generate momentum that excites kids, students, and parents, wanting them to return with their friends.
And if you:
  • Are interested in living and working in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and being a part of a small town friendly environment.
  • Could see your summers filled with hiking, canoeing, camping and water activities and your winters filled with snow skiing, tubing and boarding.
Then First United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton, North Carolina is the place for you.  We are currently searching for a full-time Next Gen Director of Youth and Children Ministries.  This person will be the primary leader, visionary, administrator, and teacher for the youth and children ministries to help lead our church to the next level.
First United Methodist Church desires to invest in and is passionate about helping the next generation become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
We are a medium sized church located in the center of town.  We have two Sunday morning worship services.  Our Youth ministry includes Sunday School, Sunday night NEON (middle/high school), and Wednesday morning HeBrews(prayer breakfast for middle/high school).  Our Children ministry includes SHINE (Sunday Morning Children’s Worship), and RockStars (Wednesday afternoon children’s music program). 
If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter telling us who you are, why you are interested in this position and a personal statement of faith along with your resume to sydnor@fumcrutherfordton.org, phone (828)-287-3704, website: www.fumcrutherfordton.org