Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission (Director for Evangelical Mission), Sierra Pacific Synod

About The Evangelical Lutheran Church In America

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries.

About The Position

The Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) represents the ELCA through the Christian Community and Leadership Unit (CCL) in the Sierra Pacific Synod and is responsible for the development of tools to support congregational vitality, which we define as, “Communities of Jesus that nurture new life-changing relationships with God, one another and the world,” which reflects the purposes, principles and commitments of the synod, CCL and the ELCA as a whole. The (DEM) will collaborate and coordinate with congregational, synod, regional networks and Churchwide leaders to develop strategies designed to help congregations engage their communities so that more people know the way of Jesus and discover community, justice and love.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and advance the synod’s mission strategy and convene the Mission Table that facilitates the growth in vitality of existing congregations and new mission development in the synod, with particular attention to sustainable models of ministry, regional partnerships, and collaborative approaches suited to a changing religious and cultural landscape.
• Oversee Grants, Funded Ministries, and Strategic Partnership - Responsible for the administration of the portfolio of ministries supported by the ELCA’s New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team including the process of application and evaluation of grants through the ELCA Grantmaker (EGM) System. Provides support, supervision, developmental coaching, and evaluation for these ELCA- and synod-funded ministries; and cultivates funding opportunities and strategic partnerships that strengthen inherited and emerging ministries, including campus ministries and new ministry initiatives.
• Cookordination Coaching and Leadership Development – Lead the synod’s coaching ministry and align coaching, leadership development, and learning opportunities with synod priorities. Responsible for identifying, recruiting and training leaders for the work of the church including those who can serve as mission developers and rostered ministers.
• Collaboration and Network Partnerships - Responsible for establishing short- and long-term priorities and sharing learnings with the synod and across the ELCA. Provides a visible witness to the interdependent nature of the church and communicates our shared mission and vision.
• Support Campus, Young Adult, and Disaster Response Ministries – Provide Oversight for campus and young adult ministries and supervise the Synod’s disaster response efforts and community organizers.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience effectively leading ministries or initiatives that foster Christian faith formation, discipleship, evangelism, congregational vitality and/or community engagement.
• Grounding in Christian faith and familiarity with Lutheran theology, evangelism, discipleship and the theories and practice of mission development that responds to God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
• Effective communicator in preaching, teaching, writing and evangelical outreach.
• Demonstrated ability working with leaders in agile, adaptive innovation and facilitating group processes as well as knowledge, experience and/or willingness to learn, listen and utilize the ELCA Coaching Ministry in growing leaders and building tables.
• Ability to utilize metrics, congregational trend reports and demographic data in the process of the development of congregational vitality for new and existing congregations.
• Proven effective time-management and administrative experience and ability to meet deadlines and attention to details.
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical and communication skills and the ability to work in partnership with peers, other CCL staff, synod and regional staff.
• Demonstrated competency among communities of color; and well as with people and communities experiencing poverty.
• Ability to relate and communicate well in diverse cultural, ethnic and socio-economic situations and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism.
• Active participation in a Christian congregation and God’s mission.
• Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA.

Minimum Technical Competency

• Computer knowledge that enables you to operate an Apple computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions.
• Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications.
• Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.), Google Workspace, Adobe and Airtable preferred.
• Ability to learn new software and systems.

Physical

• Sitting for long periods of time.
• May be required to lift boxes of materials.

Travel

Position requires some overnight, domestic travel by car and plane. Most travel within the synod can be completed in a single day. A valid driver’s license is required.

Benefits

• The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required).
• We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays.
• All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

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