Job Context Information

Under general direction of the executive, this position works within a newly developed team which embraces work of theological reflection and discernment; social justice; and ecumenical and inter-religious engagement.

Job Purpose

This position has special responsibility for helping to envision and implement new patterns, methods and directions in a fast-changing religious environment. While deepening existing relationships with ecumenical and inter-religious partners, this person will also work collaboratively with other members of the team to forge relationships and structures which respond to the pressing needs of “such a time as this.” This shall include strengthening and diversifying the theological resources of this church’s witness for justice; working in a web of alliances with newly-emerging networks of ecumenical and inter-religious partners; and in lifting up, calling forth and nurturing the diverse voices which together constitute the theological richness of this church.

Job Responsibilities

1.Direct the strengthening of this church’s polyphonic witness to the Gospel in our context.

a) Facilitate networks and support structures which call together the diverse theological voices in this church, including the Theological Round Table, and work with them to promote dialogue among their insights, nurture and expand their membership and deepen collaboration with other institutions and partners of this church.

b) Enhance the visibility of diverse theological resources for the sake of this church, its ecumenical and inter-religious partners, and the wider society.

2. Assist the Presiding Bishop and all parts of this church to carry out its commitments to ecumenical and inter-religious relations.

a) Work with other offices in the CWO and with other expressions and institutions of this church to lift up and integrate the resources of inter-religious and ecumenical relationships.

b) Develop plans for support of existing ecumenical and inter-religious relationships and platforms, including theological dialogues, while responding to opportunities for exploring new patterns of relationship for common mission.

3. Encourage theological resources for articulating Lutheran witness particularly in relation to promoting social justice.

a) Develop theological resources for work in racial justice, drawing on diverse experiences, and build on interdisciplinary scholarship and imaginative pedagogy in order to advance the transformations to which this church is committed.

b) Help this church to engage in a wide variety of dialogical partnerships and social justice efforts from a strong, self-critical reliance on the gifts which Lutheran traditions bring to the Christian family and to the human project.

c) Experience living and working in a variety of cultural contexts, in the U.S. or internationally, highly desirable

4. Membership in a congregation of the ELCA

5. Sustained study and reflection of the Christian faith

Travel.

Significant overnight travel required.

Physical Effort.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, 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.

Experience and Skills:

1. Demonstrated abilities to:

interact with people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, including some experience in the practices of dialogical encounters;

work effectively both independently and in team relationships

articulate Lutheran positions in ways shaped by solid understanding of the Lutheran confessions, the positions of this church (including especially its ecumenical and inter-religious visions), and an appreciation for the internal diversities of this tradition

listen deeply to and learn from the insights of others while also offering one’s own and then summarize the outcomes in ways recognizable to all

Write, edit and speak with clarity and grace, in a variety of contexts and to diverse audiences

2. Familiarity with, and willingness to continue to learn about, discussions of the meanings of Lutheran self-understanding, major issues in ecumenical and inter-religious relations, especially from Lutheran perspectives; perspectives on U.S. history and current society informed by the intersectionality of race, gender, economic inequality, and other dimensions of oppression.

3. Experience living and working in a variety of cultural contexts, in the U.S. or internationally, highly desirable

4. Membership in a congregation of the ELCA

5. Sustained study and reflection of the Christian faith

Required certifications or licenses:

Graduate theological study required; Ph.D. or equivalent strongly preferred; comparable learning, experience and expertise will be considered.

Feature Image: Provided by University of Notre Dame.