Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, executive director
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is accepting applications for the new position of executive director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL) to be located in Washington, D.C.
The purposes for which the LCRL is organized as a 501(c)(3) include educating and advancing the religious beliefs of the Synod; establishing partnerships, as appropriate; and providing resources for three focus areas: marriage between one man and one woman, sanctity of life and religious liberty for all.
Among position responsibilities, the executive director will:
- maintain knowledge of both state- and national-level activities, opportunities, challenges and threats to the three foci (marriage, life, religious liberty).
- develop or make available educational resources for use by the Synod or the public on the three foci, and participate in the “public square.”
- widely communicate (print, web, social media, etc.) to LCMS members and others current activities in Washington, D.C., that are related to the three foci, what they mean for the church and why they are important to every person.
- serve as an LCMS ambassador in Washington, D.C., developing or participating in coalitions, partnerships and connections with other like-minded individuals or groups on the issues of concern and leveraging these contacts to achieve goals or respond to the most urgent or timely matters related to the three foci.
- serve as lead fund developer, and regularly engage with LCMS Mission Advancement to develop a funding strategy, identify and engage with potential and current donors, and work collaboratively to achieve fund-development goals.
- identify and organize timely discussion groups, presentations that help share with others (laity, church workers or those of influence in Washington) what the LCMS believes about the three foci and why and how the public square and policies might be impacted and formulated to achieve desired ends.
- meet regularly with congressional representatives, senior staff, executive-branch staff, think tanks, media, other religious leaders or partners who comprise the various networks in Washington, D.C., to speak about the LCMS and its values and teachings related to the three foci.
- serve as a liaison to various local, state, regional or national LCMS laity, church leaders, agencies, congregations and others to help advocate for and educate on the organization’s three foci and encourage participation in the public square.
- respond to media requests and inquiries, or submit op-eds that leverage the LCMS view related to the three foci.
- be willing and able to speak at LCMS-related conferences, conventions and other events on the current issues facing the LCMS and how the church is responding to them.
- work in conjunction with other LCMS ministries (LCMS U, Life Ministries, God’s Gift of Sexuality Task Force, etc.) to promote the LCMS understanding of the three foci.
The successful executive director candidate must:
- have advanced understanding of Lutheran doctrine, teachings and confessions.
- be an active member, in good standing, of a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation, faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and supportive of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, resolutions and policies.
- be knowledgeable about Washington, D.C.; Capitol Hill; public policy; and the U.S. government.
- have a good understanding of — and be adept at — nonprofit fund-development principles, strategies and techniques.
- be an excellent communicator and public speaker.
Desired knowledge and abilities:
- rostered LCMS Minister of Religion—Ordained.
- experience working in Washington, D.C., and working with Congress, preferred.
- knowledge about the First Amendment to the Constitution, preferred.
- knowledge of LCMS teachings related to the three areas of foci (marriage, life, religious liberty) and Two Kingdom doctrine.
- knowledge about current pressing threats and issues related to the three foci.
Qualified applicants are welcome to apply online via lcms.org/jobsboard. Nominations are welcomed and may be submitted to Nathan Thomas at nathan.thomas@lcms.org. The deadline to apply or submit nominations is July 15.
Concordia University System
The following institutions of the Concordia University System (CUS) are seeking candidates for positions:
- Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon: director of Graduate Counseling.
- Concordia University Portland, Portland, Ore.: faculty chair — Special Education Programs.
- Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, Calif.: assistant/associate professor of Education; adjunct instructor of Exercise and Sports Science, Physical Education/Pedagogy.
- Concordia College—New York, Bronxville: adjunct professor of Physics.
- Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill.: assistant professor of Computer Science; assistant professor of Business Administration; director of Student Leadership & Involvement; assistant professor of Science Education; faculty — School Counseling; assistant/associate professor of Management.
- Concordia University Texas, Austin: adjunct faculty — Nursing: maternal and newborn practicum; adjunct faculty — Nursing: pediatric practicum; Student Financial Services coordinator; assistant professor of Computer Science.
For more information about these and other positions, including complete job descriptions, qualifications and application process, visit http://cusapps.cus.edu and click on “Campus Positions Available.”
Posted June 1, 2016
