About the ELCA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and U.S. Virgin Islands. With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving, and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice, and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position

Grounded in our purpose and priorities, the Christian Community and Leadership (CCL) home area helps the ELCA reach and engage new, younger, and more diverse people, welcoming them into the Christian faith. To this end, we will activate and engage our core membership and work with the whole of the ELCA to recruit, develop and send the leadership, both lay and rostered, that the church needs to fulfill its purpose of spreading the gospel and building the church.

This position provides leadership and direction for the campus ministry efforts of the churchwide organization in partnership with the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin) boards, synods, and bishops across the ELCA. LuMin is a network of ELCA-affiliated campus ministries located on or near the campuses of over 230 colleges and universities across the United States.

This is a full-time, remote, three-year specified -term contract position (jointly funded by the churchwide organization and LuMin), with the possibility of an extension to be evaluated at 24 months. Start date June 2023. Contract ends January 31, 2027.

Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Provides increased visibility and advocacy for campus ministry within the ELCA and work to strengthen the relationships between campus ministries and with synods, including the development of strategies to reach and include more students through campus ministry.

2. Supports campus ministry related boards and working groups, including the LuMin Board, and its related teams, task forces and committees, including assisting the development committee tasked with developing financial resources.

3. Convenes, coordinates, supports, and collaborates the nine part-time, contracted Campus Ministry Regional Facilitators.

4. Convenes and supports the team responsible for planning Annual LuMin CM Staff Conference and related program for new staff on-boarding.

5. Assists the LuMin board to develop and implement a strategic plan.

6. Consults with and coaches campus ministry staff and boards in the areas of financial development, board development, and staff leadership transitions, and leads an effort to develop and maintain campus ministry best practice documents, in collaboration with campus ministry staff and boards.

7. Provides for intentional and regular communication and collaboration with various networks (including NLCM, Inc., CCL Young Adults staff, other ELCA churchwide home areas, synods, etc.)

8. Leads the development of a plan for the evaluation of current campus ministry sites and the exploration of new campus ministry sites.

9. Conducts regular assessment and review of the current campus ministry grants with recommendations for revision by April 1, 2024.

10. Manages and coordinates the campus ministry budget in consultation with both CCL and LuMin Board.

11. Administers the campus ministry annual report process, the annual grant process and the campus ministry database and student referral system.

12. Curates program resources for use by campus ministry staff.

13. Represents the ELCA in ecumenical campus ministry efforts, including serving on the Ecumenical Campus Ministry Team.

14. Develops and nurtures relationships with the campus ministry chaplains of the ELCA Network of Colleges and Universities.

15. Perform other duties/responsibilities as required.

1. 3+ years of experience in program management or coordination. Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Knowledge of Lutheran theology and mission, and particularly that of the ELCA and its ecumenical partners.

3. Strong commitment to ELCA’s mission, vision and values and understanding of the ELCA’s role and mission in higher education.

4. Appreciation for and experience with faith formation, discipleship, vocational discernment, and leadership development activities.

5. 5+ years of experience working in an ELCA-affiliated campus ministry.

6. Effective communication skills, including interpersonal, public speaking, writing and social media.

7. Administrative experience, including fiscal management, analytical and adaptive problem-solving skills.

8. Experience working both independently and collaboratively.

9. Ability and experience working with multiple constituencies, including multicultural communities.

10. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

11. Experience using Microsoft Office suite and various communication and social media platforms.

Physical Effort

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Considerable travel; up to 25%. Travel as needed, typically twice monthly via air and/or automobile. Valid driver’s license required.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Minimum: $54,724.80.

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 11 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.