Recognized Service Organizations Administrator

Missouri Synod•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

The Office of National Mission (ONM) coordinates and supports domestic ministries through the districts of the Synod. This position will coordinate and oversee the process for the granting and renewal of Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status through the ONM. This includes conducting reviews of organizations seeking or renewing status and making recommendations to the Executive Director of the Office of National Mission. This position will also promote and strengthen relationships between The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), LCMS workers, and Recognized Service Organizations.

Requirements

Member of the LCMS, faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and supportive of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws and policies.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Demonstrated experience with administrative and organizational work preferred.
Non-profit religious organization experience helpful, especially as it relates to governance and 501(c)(3) status.
Ministry leadership experience preferred.
Strong and consistent communication skills with attention to details.
Ability to communicate clearly but charitably and to influence with the Word of God and persuasion, with organizations voluntarily working with the Synod.
Self-motivated and able to effectively manage time, multiple projects, and requests.
Knowledgeable in nonprofit organizational development and corporate structures.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clergy, church workers, laity and groups in a variety of related ministries and services in the synod, RSOs, professional organizations, within and beyond the LCMS.
Ability to function as a member of the national team and in supportive relationships with district leaders.
Awareness of and sensitivity to LCMS relationships with districts and congregations, inter-Lutheran partners, RSOs and mission societies.
Knowledgeable in Lutheran theology and able to articulate the position of the LCMS regarding the work of the Church in outreach and mercy based upon Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
Working understanding and reflection on the church’s engagement with society through RSOs, including where the Church’s inputs and goals are mixed with public ones.
Proficient computer and software skills.
Ability to understand and apply policies and identify circumstances where further guidance needs to be sought.
Ability to understand nonprofit governing documents and to review them for consistency with policy categories.
Ability to develop and maintain efficient processes and effective communication patterns with organizations seeking to establish or renew status.
Appropriate discernment and discretion when acting in concert with ecclesiastical supervisors in sensitive situations involving church workers and organizations.
Ability to travel, approximately 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

LCMS Rostered worker status preferred.
Master’s degree or theological training preferred.

Responsibilities

Receives RSO applications from the Secretary of Synod’s Office, reviews, evaluates and processes applications including renewals.
Assesses applicant organizations’ mission and purpose as it pertains to the fostering the mission of the LCMS and working in harmony with the Office of National Mission (ONM) and Office of International Mission (OIM).
Maintains records and documentation of all communication, reports, and information pertaining to RSOs granted status through the ONM and OIM and reports to ONM and OIM the status of all organizations that are or have been RSOs.
Coordination of record keeping with other units including the CAO’s office, Secretary of Synod’s office, and Rosters, Statistics and Research Services.
Coordination with the CAO’s office for any tax or compliance issues or questions.
Provides reports as requested to the LCMS Board of Directors, President of Synod, Board for National Mission, Board for International Mission and LCMS Unit Executives.
Provides information to all RSOs granted status about the work of the LCMS and the responsibilities and benefits of LCMS RSO status.
Helps maintain a cooperative dialog with LCMS Districts and Recognized Service Organizations.
Works cooperatively with other ONM and OIM ministry leaders.
Ensures, under the supervision of the ONM managing director, executive director and the chief mission officer, that the RSO office is administered subject to Board of Directory, Board for National Mission and Board for International Mission policies pertaining to Recognized Service Organizations and that the respective boards, as to their areas of responsibility, receive the information needed to monitor the implementation of their policies and adapt them in an informed and proactive manner.
Manages annual program budget.
Facilitates on-site visits to applicant organizations, their CEOs and board members, as directed by ONM and OIM leadership.
Respects the self-governance of the RSOs as independent of the synod while encouraging and fostering their voluntary alignment and engagement with the mission and ministry of the church, and the work of ONM and OIM.
Other duties as appropriate and requested by supervisor and the ONM executive director.
Supervises RSO staff