Positions (October 2017)

CUS positions

The following institutions of the Concordia University System (CUS) are seeking candidates for positions:

Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill.: graduate financial aid counselor; technical services specialist.

For more information about these and other positions, including complete job descriptions, qualifications and application process, visit cusapps.cus.edu and click on “Campus Positions Available.”

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Call for nominations/applications:

Executive Director, Office of National Mission

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod announces an opening for the position of executive director of the Office of National Mission, housed at the International Center in St. Louis.

Organizational profile:

The 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:

  • Design, develop and implement ONM strategic and operational plans so that the triennial mission and ministry emphasis and correspondent priorities (affirmed by the Synod in convention), the policies of the Board for National Mission and the president’s goals are upheld, fulfilled and accomplished.
  • Supervise and oversee all ONM ministry, programmatic and coordinative functions that especially serve districts, congregations, schools and Recognized Service Organizations throughout the Synod.
  • Facilitate consultation and collaboration with districts and congregations to support their mission, ministry, programs and/or services and to increase district and congregation capacities to achieve desired goals.
  • Consult and collaborate with LCMS senior leadership and staff, agencies and affiliated entities to formulate and implement procedures and structure that facilitate staff sharing, contribution and consultation on projects throughout the national office.
  • Supervise and oversee ONM day-to-day operations.
  • Supervise and oversee ONM budget development and ongoing ONM financial performance to ensure proper accounting and management of revenues and expenses within approved budget limits and classifications.
  • Ensure that the ONM plans are budgeted and executed in a cost-effective and timely manner.
  • Serve as a staff resource to the BNM, working with the board chair and chief mission officer to develop board agendas, provide information, resources, reports and/or program updates, as requested.
  • Supervise and oversee the granting of RSO status to U.S.-based organizations that have satisfactorily met all LCMS requirements and primarily serve constituents within the United States.
  • Oversee the Synod’s relationship with inter-Lutheran agencies.
  • Assist with and participate on various task forces, committees and/or convention floor committees, as requested.
  • Work closely with the executive director of Mission Advancement, donors, grantors and other Synod constituents and stakeholders to initiate or nurture beneficial relationships as a means to generate additional funds and resources for ONM.
  • Work closely with other national office unit executives to develop, review and improve inter-unit work-flow processes, and to increase consideration of inter-unit impact and planning/operating efficiencies in order to produce desired national-office outcomes and demonstrate world-class stewardship of all resources.

Position requirements:

  • Faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and supportive of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws and policies.
  • Rostered member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, commissioned or ordained.
  • Master’s degree in theology, education or related field or the equivalent in practical knowledge and experience.
  • A minimum of three years (five years preferred) experience serving in a nonprofit, church-related organization.
  • Significant experience supervising staff and volunteers of 25 or more in a complex organization or structure.
  • Keen understanding of the structure, programs, beliefs and practices of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with a variety of Synod leadership, rostered workers, auxiliaries and partners of the Synod.
  • Strong communication abilities, both written and oral. Must be able to write well.
  • Ability to manage budgets and understand and take appropriate actions from financial and accounting records and statements.
  • Ability to supervise, mentor, teach and coach a large staff.
  • Ability to work effectively with others in all areas of the Synod.
  • Demonstrated discretion and judgment in confidential matters.
  • Ability to work effectively under the pressure of time limitations.

Qualified applicants are welcome to apply online via 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 Oct. 31. For more information on The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, please visit lcms.org.

LCMS Foundation: senior vice-president, Gift Planning Services

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation seeks candidates for the position of senior vice-president to oversee the Foundation’s Gift Planning Services area.

This key position supervises a team of approximately 20 deployed planned-giving staff and serves as a member of the Foundation’s management team.

Last year, the planned-giving area helped LCMS members create $178 million in charitable estate plans and present-day funding to benefit hundreds of LCMS churches, schools and other ministries. Continued strong leadership in this area is critical to continuing that work.

The position is based in St. Louis and provides overall coordination and direction for the gift-planning program of the LCMS Foundation.

Responsibilities include:

  • developing goals and standards for gift-planning activity and production. 

  • managing the hiring, orientation, growth and effectiveness of gift planners. 

  • managing the Foundation’s partnership relationships with a broad range of LCMS organizations, 
including the 35 LCMS districts, congregations, schools, colleges and universities, seminaries, auxiliaries and RSOs.

Candidates should have the following credentials: 


  • bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical work experience. 

  • 10 years of management experience. 

  • active membership in an LCMS congregation. 

  • MBA degree or CFRE designation helpful, but not necessary. 


Additionally, qualified candidates will possess: 


  • strong leadership skills, capable of sharing a vision and inspiring confidence in a team. 

  • an engaging personality, able to quickly develop relationships with key ministry partners. 

  • excellent communication skills, comfortable and confident in public speaking. 

  • ability to manage a team of diverse individuals located across the United States. 

  • willingness and ability to travel extensively. 

  • understanding of the LCMS structure. 

  • ideally, experience in and understanding of techniques for the presentation and advancement of 
financial charitable instruments including charitable trusts, endowments, custodial accounts, gift-annuity programs and donor-advised funds.


Interested? Please forward your resume and a letter of introduction detailing your interest in this position to SVP-opening@lfnd.org.