Director for Evangelical Mission, South Carolina Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Columbia, SC

8d • $78,021 - $117,042 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) represents the ELCA’s Christian Community and Leadership Unit in the South Carolina Synod. The role develops tools and strategies that support congregational vitality, evangelism, leadership development, and new mission development, working with churchwide, synod, and congregational leaders. The DEM also supports synod mission strategy and implements ELCA commitments to ministry among diverse cultures and communities, people with disabilities, young adults, and people and communities experiencing poverty.

The position participates fully in the life and ministry of the synod, serves on synod staff, and is supervised jointly by the Bishop of the Synod and CCL staff. It is coterminous with the synod bishop and ends August 31, 2032. The role is a full-time, term-contract, in-person, exempt churchwide position based in the South Carolina Synod. The employee must live within the synod’s geographic territory, work in the synod office four days per week, and visit congregations at least three Sundays per month. The role requires considerable domestic travel by car, up to 25% (approximately 12 weeks).

Requirements

• At least 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 theories and practices of mission development responding to God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
• Effective communication skills in preaching, teaching, writing, and evangelical outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to work with leaders in agile, adaptive innovation and facilitate group processes; knowledge, experience, or willingness to learn, listen, and use the ELCA Coaching Ministry to grow leaders and build tables.
• Ability to use metrics, congregational trend reports, and demographic data to develop congregational vitality for new and existing congregations.
• Effective time-management and administrative experience, ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and communication skills, and ability to partner with peers, CCL staff, synod staff, and regional staff.
• Demonstrated competency among communities of color and people and communities experiencing poverty; ability to relate and communicate well across diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic situations; commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
• Active participation in a Christian congregation and God’s mission.
• Appreciation for the ELCA’s vision, values, and purpose.
• Computer skills sufficient to operate a Windows computer, follow basic troubleshooting instructions, use software applications efficiently, learn new software and systems, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Must reside within the geographic territory of the South Carolina Synod.
• Must reside in the United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Rostered minister of word and sacrament or rostered minister of word and service.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Form and coordinate at least one synod team focused on the vitality of existing congregations and new mission development, including area ministry strategies, congregational mission plans, and congregational vitality.
• Administer the portfolio of supported ministries, including grant applications and evaluations through the ELCA Grantmaker (EGM) System; supervise funded ministries, monitor their development, and evaluate progress.
• Identify, recruit, and train leaders for the work of the church, including mission developers and rostered ministers.
• Establish short- and long-term priorities and share learnings with the synod and across the ELCA.
• Provide a visible witness to the interdependent nature of the church and communicate its shared mission and vision.
• Work with the Director of Stewardship and Mission Support to assist congregations with faithful stewardship and ministry practices.
• Collaborate with churchwide, synod, and congregational leaders to develop strategies for engaging communities.
• Participate fully in synod life and ministry and implement ELCA commitments to ministry among diverse cultures and communities, people with disabilities, young adults, and people and communities experiencing poverty.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employer-paid health premiums for employees.
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• Health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution.
• Life insurance.
• Substantial employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan; no match required.
• Generous paid time off policy.
• 17 paid holidays.
• Benefits commence on the employee’s start date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed