The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod announces an opening for the position of director of School Ministry, housed at the International Center in St. Louis, Mo.
Organizational profile:
The Synod’s Office of National Mission (ONM) coordinates and supports domestic ministries that serve congregations and schools through the districts of the Synod (Bylaw 3.8.2.3).
Responsibilities include:
Synod
- Plans, implements and oversees all School Ministry activities and events in line with the goals and mission of the Synod and ONM.
- Represents and promotes School Ministry and the ONM at conferences, conventions, workshops, meetings and other functions.
- Provides leadership (visitation) and resources (conferences, etc.) which support and extend Lutheran schools operated by the Synod’s member congregations.
- Sets the vision and direction for School Ministry.
- Plans and oversees all aspects of leadership training and development of resources to assist Lutheran schools (i.e., SLED).
- Provides leadership and direction for the use of technology-based tools for the support of Lutheran schools.
- Provides resources and strong advocacy for starting new schools.
- Plans and oversees programs to strengthen the relationship between church and school (i.e., LSCS).
- Promotes the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) program so excellence in Lutheran education continues throughout the Church. Approves members for NLSA site visits.
- Oversees the preparation and distribution of NLSA Certificates of Accreditation along with letters of commendation.
- Serves as official liaison with other accrediting partner and state agencies.
- Coordinates responsibilities as dictated by agreements with secular accrediting agencies.
- Sets the direction and offers guidance in the development of materials to promote Lutheran schools (web, print, television, etc.).
- Develops and administers the annual School Ministry budget.
- Writes grants and secures funding for School Ministry projects.
- Provides annual reports to the NAC, the ONM and participating districts.
- Secures, interprets and communicates pertinent school statistics in order to support school-related decision-making at the national, district, university and local level.
- Communicates regularly with the ONM executive director and performs other related tasks as assigned by the ONM executive director of National Mission.
Districts
- Works in collaboration with districts in support of Lutheran schools.
- Identifies the appropriate contact person related to Lutheran schools in each district.
- Collaborates and communicates regularly with district education executives and works to provide leadership training events when needed.
- Oversees the ongoing relationship between School Ministry and the various district staff so that the work being carried out is done in concert with and support of the district.
Position requirements:
- A commissioned or ordained minister of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, preferably with a minimum of 10 years in school ministry.
- A member in good standing of a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation who is supportive of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws and policies, and familiar with the structure, polity, organization and procedures of the Synod.
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Word-and-Sacrament ministry of the Church.
- Understands the structure of the Synod and is supportive of the Synod’s position.
- Experience in long- and short-range planning techniques and procedures.
- Experience in writing and public speaking to various groups and organizations.
- Experience in conducting seminars, conferences, workshops and training events.
- Authorship of published articles on subjects related to Lutheran education (desirable).
- An advanced degree in Lutheran education or administration (terminal degree preferred). Post-graduate course work in administration, supervision and leadership, and experience in office management and supervision of a team-ministry staff.
Qualified applicants are welcome to apply online at lcms.org/careers. Nominations are welcomed and may be submitted to Nathan Thomas at Nathan.Thomas@lcms.org. The deadline to apply or submit nominations is Feb. 28, 2018.
For more information about The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, please visit lcms.org.
Posted Dec. 20, 2017
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