Gender & Sexuality Justice Minister and Manager, Application Close: July 7, 2026

United Church of Christ, National•Cleveland, OH

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

In consultation with the Associate General Minister, this role provides vision, oversight, and coordination of strategies related to education, advocacy, resources, spiritual care, and partnership-building for Women and Gender Justice, LGBTQI+ justice, sex education, and emerging issues across the spectrum of Gender & Sexuality Justice. The position involves developing and evaluating strategic objectives, promoting the UCC’s public image through communication and speaking engagements, managing budgets, supervising direct reports, and fostering collaborative relationships within the ministry team and with external constituents. Key areas of focus include LGBTQI+ concerns, sexuality education and justice, and women and gender justice, requiring collaboration with various internal and external groups and the development of resources and advocacy efforts.

Requirements

Graduate level degree in theology, education, social work, public health, or another related field.
Experience in and knowledge of pastoral and/or programmatic ministry with LGBTQIA+ persons and their families.
Experience in and knowledge of Gender based health and advocacy, particularly with regard to education and/or service provision.
Familiarity with faith-based and community organizations that address concerns of social policy affecting families and children.
Basic knowledge of sexuality education and advocacy, and in family dynamics.
Understanding of public policies relating to families, children, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons.
Commitment to and theological understanding of Christian mission in its broadest expression; ability to articulate and witness to one’s faith perspective.
Understanding of and commitment to justice from a biblical/theological perspective.
Understanding of the polity and structures of the UCC.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and collegially as well as independently.
Desire and sensitivity to work in diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious settings with commitment to pluralism.
Demonstrated written and oral English language skills, including ability to conceptualize and develop print, video and other resources; public speaking skills.
Ability to interpret sensitive and often controversial material to persons who have diverse personal, biblical, and theological understandings and perspectives.
Competency in leadership planning, development and training.
Experience in developing and managing budgets and in office administration; demonstrated human relations and supervisory skills.
Demonstrated skill in community organizing and/or in parish ministry.
Computer literate and willing to increase skills.
Ability to travel within the United States and globally as necessary.

Nice To Haves

May delegate the task of Chair of the Womyn’s Working Group to the Minister for Women & Gender Justice as appropriate.

Responsibilities

Provide vision, oversight, and coordination of strategies pertaining to education, advocacy, resources, spiritual care, and partnership-building related to Women and Gender Justice, LGBTQI+ justice, sex education, and emerging issues across the spectrum of Gender & Sexuality Justice.
Develop, implement, and evaluate short-term and long-term strategic objectives and consultations with other national ministries and organizations.
Promote Gender & Sexuality Justice and the UCC’s public image by responding to inquiries, providing consultation, accepting speaking engagements, and serving as a resource person.
Contribute to the effectiveness of work within the ministry team and across National Ministries by fostering cooperation and collaboration.
Prepare and administer annual budget allocations, ensuring good stewardship of financial resources and identifying supplemental funding sources.
Supervise, monitor, and evaluate the performance of direct reports.
Develop and maintain professional and courteous relationships with staff, directors, partner churches, and other constituents.
Serve as Chair of the Womyn’s Working Group (or delegate this task).
Participate as a Member of the Ministry Advisory Council.
Create and support programmatic offerings and resources for LGBTQI+ Concerns in collaboration with National Ministries, partner organizations, and the Open and Affirming Coalition.
Identify and prioritize existing and emerging concerns within LGBTQI+ issues and recommend policies and actions.
Support relationships with The Coalition to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender UCC members and provide resources.
Work collaboratively among the Covenanted Ministries of the UCC to strengthen LGBTQI+ Ministries.
Represent the UCC at appropriate LGBTQI+ tables, community gatherings, and conferences.
Support implementation of programmatic offerings of Our Whole Lives in collaboration with the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Develop cooperative relationships with faith-based and community-based coalitions advocating for civil rights and justice around issues of sexual orientation and identity, public and social policies affecting family life, and rights for children.
Collaborate with the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice and other covenanted ministries to coordinate advocacy and education on human sexuality, family life, and children’s rights.
Support and oversee the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice, ensuring alignment with broader strategic directions.
Support the implementation of short-term and long-term strategic needs identified by the Womyn’s Working Group.
Ensure offerings throughout the National Ministries proactively respond to the needs of Womyn within the UCC and at large.
Work closely with the Womyn’s Working Group and Office of Public Policy and Advocacy to provide faith-based expertise on Women & Gender Justice issues and support advocacy efforts.
Create and maintain a prophetic and proactive faith-based voice for the United Church of Christ regarding Women & Gender Justice.
Support and oversee the work of the Minister for Women & Gender Justice, ensuring alignment with broader strategic directions.