Title of Opportunity: Minister of Faith Formation

About the role

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville seeks a full-time, exempt Minister of Faith Formation & Justice to begin August 1, 2026 or as soon after as possible. UU Asheville is a progressive, inclusive, and engaged multigenerational congregation in Asheville, NC. Our congregation is theologically diverse and committed to being anti-racist & LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Description of job

We’re seeking a dynamic partner to guide and support the congregation’s ministries of faith formation across the lifespan, support our common pursuit of collective liberation, as well as engage alongside the Lead Minister in the congregation’s worship ministry once a month. We recognize that everything we do is faith formation!

Responsibilities/Activities/Tasks

• Faith Formation
• Provides vision and leadership of congregational ministries of faith formation. Collaborates with the Lead Minister regarding overall vision of the shared ministry of faith formation for all ages.
• Supervises and evaluates part time faith formation coordinators. Convenes regular FF staff meetings to provide feedback and brainstorm programming needs. In consultation with the lead minister hires and trains new religious education staff.
• Supervises FF coordinators’ recruitment, training, and support of volunteer teachers and assistants.
• Leads in the development of family ministry, in partnership with the Faith Formation coordinator for children.
• Recruits and provides leadership for a volunteer Adult Faith Formation team to assist in the planning and execution of faith formation programming for adults. This team also coordinates with the adult faith formation contributions of the Lead Minister.
• Provides direction and leadership in the development and implementation of our small group ministries. This includes our current Soul Matters covenant groups, but will include other small group ministry opportunities (for example, short term small group opportunities). Recruits, trains and supports volunteer leaders for our small group ministries. The Membership Coordinator provides some limited administrative/coordination support during the recruitment phase for our Soul Matters groups.
• Carefully coordinates or leads programming for our monthly first Wednesday Vespers potluck dinner and worship.
• In conjunction with the FF coordinators, is responsible for the overall programmatic design and/or curricula for our faith formation program for all ages. The MFF also coordinates lay or outside teachers or facilitates programs as they determine is needed to support our shared ministry goal of faith formation at every age.
• Develops, evaluates, and, as necessary, revises policies and procedures to assure an efficient, effective and safe program of faith formation of children and youth. This is done in partnership with FF staff, Lead Minister and Director of Administration.
• Is responsible for the communications regarding: Monthly Vespers, Family Ministry, Adult Faith Formation, Collective Liberation/Justice Ministries and special features (i.e. quarterly eNews blog posts) as needed. Cross posts on UU Asheville’s two closed Facebook pages.
• Worship
• Collaborates with the Lead Minister in the ministry of worship, leading Sunday worship an average of once a month and assisting with other worship programming (i.e., supporting Coming of Age Sunday, etc) as requested.
• Coordinates or leads vespers services once a month.
• Coordinates the monthly inclusion of FF coordinators leading Time for All Ages in worship, and collaborates with the Lead Minister to make sure there are no fewer than once-monthly all-ages worship.
• Collective Liberation/Justice
• Recruits and supports leadership of a volunteer Justice Ministry Council to engage our congregation in liberatory works. While the congregants and congregation ultimately are responsible for showing up to do with work of justice, the MFF provides guidance and leadership, including in helping the congregation determine where and how to direct its collaborative efforts. The MFF and Lead Minister communicate and collaborate on public witness efforts.
• Is instrumental in developing and maintaining Justice Ministry Council criteria for selecting UU Asheville collaborative partnerships in the wider Asheville community. UU Asheville has historically had rich partnerships with other justice-making organizations, and we want a leader who can help us continue this good work.
• Attends monthly Community Plate meetings as staff liaison, and supports those volunteer leaders as needed.
• Other
• Develops and submits to the Director of Administration annual budgets and ongoing program needs for ministries under their guidance.
• Attends regular staff meetings and retreats, and meets regularly one on one with the Lead Minister for collaboration and ministry alignment.
• Provides a monthly ministry report for the Board.
• May be asked to perform weddings, memorial services or dedication ceremonies et al in consultation with the Lead Minister, as schedule or time/availability permits. All funds from outside ceremonies or religious services are paid directly to the Minister.
• Makes time for self-care and professional development.

Salary & Benefits

The congregation offers benefits recommended by UUA guidelines. The salary range is $68,000 – $71,000.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of leadership of a Sunday faith formation program.
• M.Div. degree or equivalent experience.
• Understands the stages of human development and different learning styles, and applies that understanding in program planning.
• Successful experience evidencing compassion and creativity.
• Knowledge of and commitment to Unitarian Universalist Values and faith development. Familiarity with new and emerging material in the UU FF space (such as Whole Church, new developments in OWL, etc) is preferred.
• Able and prepared to be part of a dynamic, friendly and collaborative staff team environment.
• Ability to evaluate and design faith formation programs for all ages.
• Ability to work well with adults and children, in groups, families and with individuals.
• Leadership skills: Ability to recruit and support volunteers Serve as a role model Organizational and administrative skills, including ability to delegate Excellent written and oral communication skills Demonstrated ability to work within a budget

Apply

Interested candidates please send application materials, including a cover letter and resume/CV, to: search@uuasheville.org

People with disabilities, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ candidates are encouraged to apply. UU Asheville is committed to developing a diverse and talented staff team.