Bishop of the Allegheny Conference

This position exists to provide oversight, vision, and leadership development for pastors and congregations within a specific Regional Conference(s) of the Brethren in Christ Church U.S. The Bishop serves as an executive officer, nominated and appointed according to the process outlined in the Manual of Doctrine and Government (MDG). The term of service is normally six years, subject to biennial evaluation. The Bishop serves as a member of the Leadership Council and a non-voting participant of the General Conference Board (GCB).

About BIC U.S.

Following Jesus. Serving others. Making disciples. A family of nearly 250 congregations across the country, Brethren in Christ U.S. (BIC U.S.) seeks to follow Jesus’ example by loving our neighbor, compassionately serving those in need, and bearing witness to God’s Kingdom on earth.

Responsibilities

It is understood that the particular gifts and abilities of a Bishop will determine the degree to which certain tasks are best accomplished through other gifted individuals, whether pastors, lay leaders, or conference staff. At the same time, the Bishop assumes overall responsibility for each aspect of this role:

• Spiritual Leadership
  • Provides spiritual leadership and pastoral oversight of all members of the conference through pastors and lay leaders
  • Leads the Regional Conference Board of Directors
  • Initiates and develops denominational vision/strategy through participation on Leadership Council
  • Aligns and communicates conference vision and mission with denominational vision and mission
  • Inspires and mobilizes the conference toward fulfillment of the church’s mission
  • Serves as a resource person for preaching, retreats, and other spiritual leadership needs
• Leadership Development
  • Provides for and encourages a mentoring network among pastors
  • Conducts regular reviews of pastoral leadership in congregations
  • Arranges for training and development opportunities, both group and one-on-one, for pastors and conference leadership
  • Personally knows and understands the needs and aspirations of today’s pastors
  • Promotes a conference-wide thrust for developing and affirming emerging leaders
  • Implements a system of member care for conference pastors and spouses
• Church Planting
  • Identifies, recruits, and develops persons within the conference passionate about church planting
  • Mobilizes congregations to contribute prayer and people to church planting ventures
  • Creates strategies and deploys mechanisms that accelerate church planting
  • Provides coaching and development for church planters in day-to-day issues
  • Leads in demographic development (e.g., cells, services, sites) and long-term church planting vision
• Pastoral Selection & Review
  • Provides for the screening and credentialing of ministerial candidates according to BIC U.S. processes
  • Provides leadership and experiential wisdom to the pastoral search process within congregations
  • Develops familiarity with pastors across the general church to identify gifts, traits, and goals corresponding to vacancy needs
  • Utilizes tools, discernment, and understanding of congregational dynamics to station pastors effectively
• Administrative Oversight
  • Oversees the health and development of congregations in the conference
  • Encourages, mentors, and coaches pastors in dealing with congregational issues
  • Intervenes in situations of conflict and crisis management as needed
  • Oversees the administration of the conference, including management of the regional budget
  • Serves on Leadership Council with a capacity to:
    1. Trust other leaders
    2. Engage in unfiltered constructive debate
    3. Commit to team decisions and plans of action
    4. Hold one another accountable for delivering on developed plans
    5. Focus on collective results rather than personal agendas

Note: This job description is flexible in terms of emphasis and particular assignments. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

• A vital and maturing relationship with Jesus Christ and a heart for BIC U.S.
• Master of Divinity degree preferred, with openness to pursue further education
• An ordained BIC U.S. minister
• Knowledge and experience related to the work of pastors and church planting
• A good understanding of Brethren in Christ theology
• Ability to shape vision for a geographic region in unison with the wider vision of the church
• Strong relational and communication skills; fluency in both English and Spanish preferred
• Ability in administration, committed to and capable of collaborative leadership
• Ability to hear and assimilate layers of communication from various church contexts
• Familiar with, and committed to, the use of Information Technology

Physical Demands

• Operates primarily in a church office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and using standard office equipment
• Requires mobility within the office to access files, machinery, and other resources
• Often required to remain stationary during presentations and handle objects, tools, or controls
• May be requested to lift and carry up to 20 pounds at a time (e.g., Audio/Visual equipment)
• Involves travel and regular operation of motor vehicles
• Recurrently requires long hours and frequent weekend work

Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified persons with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).