Instructor or Assistant Professor of Religion and University Chaplain

Lindenwood University • St. Charles, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Faculty and instructors are responsible for curriculum, teaching, service, scholarship, and related administrative activities that support the mission, vision, and values of the university. The College of Arts and Humanities at Lindenwood University invites applications for an Instructor or Assistant Professor of Religion and University Chaplain. Qualified applicants will possess a MDiv (PhD preferred) in religion, theology, or other closely related discipline. The successful candidate will be expected to teach 2 courses (6 credit hours) each semester of Philosophy & Religion coursework, while also serving as University Chaplain. Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching online. All Lindenwood faculty members are expected to advise and mentor students, continue to develop their expertise through research and scholarship, and participate in faculty governance and campus life. The Instructor or Assistant Professor of Religion and University Chaplain is a full-time, 9-month faculty position that will begin August 13, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. As an expression of the University's rootedness in Judeo-Christian values, the University Chaplain must be committed to developing the spiritual and religious life of a wide variety of traditions of the students, faculty, and staff of the University and will have primary oversight of the student religious groups and religious programs on campus. The Chaplain works to establish a welcoming campus environment for all, build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and students, supervise 60+ volunteers to support Religious Student Organizations, as well as collaborate with campus and community partners.

Requirements

• MDiv required
• Must have formal ministry experience as a university chaplain or in a local church, and a strong interest in serving as a chaplain to the religiously diverse students, faculty, and staff at Lindenwood University
• Must be able to build community, provide spiritual leadership, resolve conflict, and engage in faith development
• Must possess strong organizational and leadership abilities and be comfortable with public speaking
• Ability to verbalize understanding of complex problems or situations, ask relevant questions for clarifications and explain concepts clearly to others
• well-developed written communication skills
• ability to communicate diplomatically, clearly, and effectively with students and co-workers verbally, in-person, and by telephone using the English language
• ability to present materials effectively to individual students or groups
• ability to manage interpersonal conflict situations requiring tact, diplomacy, and discretion
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• ability to organize and express ideas, directions, and data in a logical sequence to describe a process or explain procedures, such as how to perform a task
• ability to deal with abstract and concrete variables
• Ability to use current technology to enhance effectiveness including but not limited to computers, computer-assisted instruction programs, and audio-visual equipment
• willing to learn and apply any other new technology necessary to enhance learning
• working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Canvas (LMS), CAMS (SIS), and Workday (EIS)
• ability to use phones, fax machines, printers, scanners and copiers
• Stamina to teach classes as required
• Ability to stand or sit for extended time periods
• Ability to meet on-campus requirement for classes and duties that are designated as such

Nice To Haves

• MDiv with PhD, strongly preferred
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching online

Responsibilities

• curriculum
• teaching
• service
• scholarship
• related administrative activities
• teach 2 courses (6 credit hours) each semester of Philosophy & Religion coursework
• serving as University Chaplain
• advise and mentor students
• continue to develop their expertise through research and scholarship
• participate in faculty governance and campus life
• committed to developing the spiritual and religious life of a wide variety of traditions of the students, faculty, and staff of the University
• primary oversight of the student religious groups and religious programs on campus
• establish a welcoming campus environment for all
• build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and students
• supervise 60+ volunteers to support Religious Student Organizations
• collaborate with campus and community partners

Benefits

• employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only)
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only)
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1)
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time