Director for Evangelical Mission/Assistant to the Bishop, Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod

Description

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. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About The Synod

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod includes 70 congregations in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania. Our territory covers all or part of 15 counties: Armstrong Cameron, Crawford, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Vanango, Warren and Westmoreland.

About The Position

Grounded in our purpose and priorities, the Christian Community and Leadership unit (CCL) helps the ELCA reach and engage new people reflecting the diversity of communities, welcoming them into the Christian faith. To this end, we will energize and engage our core membership and work with the whole of the ELCA to recruit, develop and deploy the leadership, both lay and rostered, that the church needs to fulfill its purpose of spreading the gospel and building the church.

The Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) represents the ELCA through the Christian Community and Leadership Unit (CCL) in the Southeastern 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.” The position also reflects the purposes, principles and commitments of the synod, CCL and the ELCA as a whole.

The (DEM) will collaborate and coordinate with Churchwide, synod and congregational 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.

The person in this position is expected to fully participate in the life and ministry of the synod on the synod staff with synod initiatives and is responsible for implementing and building upon ELCA commitments to ministries among diverse cultures and communities, people with disabilities, and the young-adult population, as well as people and communities experiencing poverty. The DEM participates in resourcing the synod mission strategy with an emphasis on congregational vitality, evangelism, and leadership.

The person in this position will also serve as an Assistant to the Bishop by representing the bishop in:

1. Education and collegiality among Authorized Lay Worship Leaders (ALWL) and Authorized Distribution Ministers (ADM);
2. Education and collegiality among Rostered Ministers;
3. Work to build relationships and provide pastoral care among the rostered ministers of the synod

This position will be coterminous with the synod bishop and supervised jointly by both the Bishop of the Synod and CCL staff. Other assignments of responsibility will be made by the Synod Bishop and Senior Director, DEM Relationships. The position will be based in the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and will serve as a living representation of the interdependent nature of the ELCA. 

This position is full-time, purchase of service and co-terminous with the synod bishop and will end August 31, 2031. The position is an in-person, exempt position. The position has responsibilities that require them to live in the geographic territory of the synod and to be in the synod office on at least a weekly basis.

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. 

Job Responsibilities:

Dem Job Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the formation and coordination of at least one synod team that organizes the vitality of existing congregations and new mission development in the synod (including area ministry strategies, congregational mission plans, and congregational vitality.) 
2. Responsible for the administration of the portfolio of supported ministries including the process of application and evaluation of grants through the ELCA Grantmaker (EGM) System. Provides supervision, monitors development and evaluates progress of funded ministries. 
3. Responsible for identifying, recruiting and training leaders for the work of the church including those who can serve as mission developers and rostered ministers. 
4. 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. 
5. Responsible for mission support and stewardship (up to ¼ time). 
6. Other duties as assigned.

Assistant to the Bishop Job Responsibilities:

1. Oversee Authorized Lay Worship Leaders (ALWL) and Authorized Lay Communion Distributors (ALD)
2.        a. Be responsible for the training, certification, and evaluation of the synod’s ALWLs and ALDs
3.        b. Plan, provide, and be present at events for collegiality and education for these lay leaders
4.        c. Help to identify potential candidates to participate in this ministry and meet with them to evaluate their gifts and growing    edges.
5.       a. Plan and implement continuing education opportunities with the synod, including at Synod Assembly, Bishop’s Convocation, and a day of learning in either winter or spring.
6.       b. Research and contact presenters to especially help with meeting certification requirements for Rostered Ministers in anti-racism and boundaries training.
7. Pastoral care and leadership support
8.       a. Encourage and promote collegiality among rostered ministers within the synod, providing opportunities for socializing and mutual care.
9.       b. Be available and proactive in reaching out to rostered ministers and providing care and resources in times of crisis, illness, or loss. 
10.       c. Gather resources and promote ways and events to better care for rostered ministers with intentional focus on mental health, emotional wellness, healthy lifestyles, financial wellness, and vocational and spiritual discernment.

2. Continuing Education

Requirements

communication platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.). Ability to learn new software and systems.  

Physical

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Position requires considerable domestic travel by throughout the week. Occasional overnight domestic travel required. Valid driver’s license is preferred.

Considerable travel; up to 25% - approximately 12 weeks 

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

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.