Bishop's Associate for Mission/Director for Evangelical Mission, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

About the position Grounded in our purpose and priorities, the Christian Community and Leadership unit (CCL) helps the ELCA reach and engage new people reflecting the diversity of communities, welcoming them into the Christian faith. To this end, we will energize and engage our core membership and work with the whole of the ELCA to recruit, develop and deploy the leadership, both lay and rostered, that the church needs to fulfill its purpose of spreading the gospel and building the church. This is a synod employee part-time, hybrid, and exempt position and is co-terminous with the synod bishop whose term will end 8/31/2031. The position has responsibilities that require them to live in the geographic territory of the synod and to be in the synod office at least 3 days a week. The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. 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. Responsibilities Responsible for working collaboratively with the Mission Table, that helps organize the vitality of existing congregations and new mission development in the synod (including area ministry strategies, congregational mission plans, and congregational vitality). Meet regularly with synod developers and redevelopers, including reading and providing feedback to monthly mission reports. In partnership with the Mission Table, evaluate new starts, restarts, and redevelopments for missional vitality and long‑term financial sustainability using established metrics. Provide for regular trainings and continuing education for mission developers, redevelopers, keeping the connection between the synod and churchwide organization vibrant. This includes accompanying new mission developers and redevelopers to required ELCA training events (both in person and online). Helps identify future sites for new church starts. Responsible for identifying, recruiting and training leaders for the work of the church including those who can serve as mission developers and redevelopers. Curate resources to equip synodical and congregational leaders for the work of mission. Responsible for establishing short‑ and long‑term priorities and sharing learnings with the synod and across the ELCA. Provides a visible witness to the interdependent nature of the church and communicates our shared mission and vision. Other duties as assigned, which may include: Representing the Office of the Bishop through regular congregational visits Participating in synod, conference, or churchwide meeting and events Participating on the synod’s Immigration Task Force Participating on the synod’s Mesa Latina Requirements Skilled Evangelist: 5+ years of experience effectively leading an effort that helped bring people to faith. Lutheran Understanding: Grounding in Christian faith. Knowledge of and appreciation for Lutheran theology, polity and ecclesiology, including accompaniment as our model for mission, evangelism, discipleship and the theories and practice of mission development that responds to God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Membership and active participation in a congregation of this synod. Communication skills: Effective communicator in preaching, teaching, writing and evangelical outreach. Proven ability to leverage digital communication for vision casting. A preference will be given to candidates who can communicate in both English and Spanish. Leadership: Demonstrated ability working with leaders in agile, adaptive innovation and facilitating group processes as well as knowledge, experience and/or willingness to learn, listen and utilize the ELCA Coaching Ministry in growing leaders and building tables. Entrepreneurial Vision: Proven experience with mission development/redevelopment. Experience in community organizing beneficial but not required. Organizational Skills: Proven effective time‑management and administrative experience and ability to meet deadlines and attention to details. Ability to utilize metrics, congregational trend reports and demographic data in the process of the development of congregational vitality for new and existing congregations. Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical and communication skills and the ability to work in partnership with peers, Churchwide, regional, and synod staff. Proven capacity for collaboration. Attentive listener and highly relational. Multicultural competency: Demonstrated competency among communities of color as well as with people and communities experiencing poverty. Ability to relate and communicate well in diverse cultural, ethnic and socio‑economic situations and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti‑racism, including our synod’s RIC status. Minimum Technical Competency: Computer knowledge that enables you to operate a Windows Computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions. Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications. Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred. Ability to learn new software and systems. Physical 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. May be required to lift boxes of materials. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Travel Position requires some overnight, domestic travel by car and plane. Most locations within the synod’s territory are a two‑hour drive (or less) from Houston. Louisiana sites are the exception. Valid driver’s license is preferred. Considerable travel; up to 25% - approximately 12 weeks. Benefits 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). Generous paid time‑off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date. Salary Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-in-Americ