Description

About the ELCA 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and U.S. Virgin Islands. With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving, and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice, and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 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 position 

This position represents the ELCA through the Christian Community and Leadership Area in the Sierra Pacific Synod (SPS) and is responsible for the development of Congregational Vitality: “Communities of Jesus that nurture new life-changing relationships with God, one another and the world,” and reflects the purposes, principles and commitments of the synod, CCL and the ELCA as a whole. 

This position will coordinate and facilitate the education of synod staff and others in the synod through the formation and coordination of strategies designed to help congregations engage 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 ethnic-specific communities, people with disabilities, the young-adult population; as well as people and communities experiencing poverty. This person participates in resourcing the synod mission strategy with an emphasis on congregational vitality and leadership. 

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 Director, DEM Support. The position will be based in the Sierra Pacific Synod and will serve as a living representation of the interdependent nature of the ELCA. 

This position is full-time, term-contract, exempt, remote (location specific) churchwide staff position and is expected live in the geographic territory of the synod. 

Candidates for this remote 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. 

1. Responsible for the formation and coordination of the Synod’s Witness Team that organizes the vitality of existing congregations and new mission development in the synod (including area ministry strategies, campus ministries, 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. This work is guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CCL and SPS.

3. Responsible for oversight of the Acts for Vitality and Community Development programs of the synod. Oversee the team developing cohorts and the training of leaders. Communicate regularly with leaders within cohorts. Collaborate with the synod communications director for the advertising of these programs and provide regular updates to the synod council and assembly. Maintain communication and reporting to the appropriate CCL staff.

4. Serves as a consultant for the vitality of congregations and/or for the exploration of mergers/consolidation, collaboration and holy closure. Assists them in developing a plan. Provide recommendations for how to move through the process. Communicate and collaborate with synod and CCL staff.

5. Responsible for identifying, recruiting and coaching leaders for the work of the church including those who can serve as mission developers and rostered ministers. 

6. 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. 

7. Responsible for mission support and stewardship (up to 25% of their time).

8. Participate in DEM activities and networks across the country, especially in ELCA Region 2.

9. Other duties as assigned.

About the synod

Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (spselca.net) 

The Sierra Pacific synod is 180 worshiping communities and people in the geographic area of Northern California and Western Nevada. After a period of organizational instability and difficulty we are ready to turn a corner together, to build back trusting relationships, and to move forward.

The Sierra Pacific Synod Office has space at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in downtown Berkeley, California. 

The synod office is located on the unceded land of the Chochenyo Ohlone people. We recognize the original stewards of this land and pay respect to elders both past and present and offer gratitude for being able to worship and to live here. We pray that our work advances justice and the dismantling of the colonial structures we continue to inhabit. 

The Sierra Pacific Synod is a Sanctuary Synod and a Reconciling in Christ Synod.

Mission: 

Recognizing that the context of this Synod reflects a great variety of ethnic traditions, languages, races, and economic groups, our mission is:

1) to assist congregations in proclaiming, celebrating and struggling with what it means to live out the Good News of Jesus Christ; 

2) to support the institutions and agencies of the Church located within the territory of this Synod, and other institutions and agencies for which we have responsibility; 

3) to meet human needs in response to God's love and to be an advocate for all who suffer injustice, with special focus on victims of racism, sexism and other forms of oppression; 

4) to place as one of our highest priorities the commitment of synodical and churchwide budget for the intentional creation of an inclusive church; 

5) to promote the inclusive church which Christ intended, reflecting the multicultural and economic diversity within our boundaries; 

6) to participate in the life and global mission of the ELCA, promoting its support through our congregations; and, 

7) to grow in our relationship with the worldwide Lutheran communion, the ecumenical church, and their religious expressions. 

Our current synod website: www.spselca.net. (Scheduled to be under renovation very soon!)

Requirements

1. 5 years of experience effectively leading an effort that helped bring people to faith. 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. Appreciation for the mission, vision, values and goals of the ELCA. 

2. Effective communicator in preaching, teaching, writing and evangelical outreach.

3. 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. 

4. Experience using Microsoft Office suite of applications, web-based communication platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.). Ability to learn new software and systems.

5. Ability to utilize metrics, congregational trend reports and demographic data in the process of the development of congregational vitality for new and existing congregations. 

6. Proven effective time-management and administrative experience and ability to meet deadlines and attention to details. 

7. Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical and communication skills and the ability to work in partnership with peers, other CCL staff, synod and regional staff. 

8. 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. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.

9. Active participation in a Christian congregation and God’s mission. 

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 

Considerable travel within the synod and for occasional meetings and events at the churchwide offices in Chicago. 

Salary 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Minimum: $72,841.60.

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 16 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 People Solutions (HR).