Director of Discipleship Formation

Job Description

Director of Discipleship Formation

Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls

Job Description

General Introduction

The Bishop of Sioux Falls is the visible head and source of unity in the particular Church entrusted to his pastoral care (CCC 1594). In a unique and visible way, he makes Christ's mission present and enduring while functioning in his role as Shepherd of the Christian Community. In order to fulfill his mission, the Bishop trusts chosen collaborators — clerics, religious, and lay people — to share in the apostolic mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them. Each employee helps to extend the ministry of the local Pastor in particular ways, as outlined in this position description.

Position Summary

The Director of Discipleship Formation works as a member of the Discipleship and Evangelization team to build a culture of Lifelong Catholic Missionary Discipleship through God's Love. Responsibilities include providing hands-on training opportunities for parish leadership to grow in all areas of formation, from foundational growth as missionary disciples to specialized training for those who mentor, accompany, and hand on the faith.

The Director of Discipleship Formation develops comprehensive formation to offer through a variety of delivery options, forms leaders throughout the Diocese, and collaborates with parishes, other dioceses, and apostolates to form disciples.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of the Office of Discipleship and Evangelization to develop formation and renewal opportunities that build the vision of lifelong missionary discipleship through God's love.

• Provide hands-on training for effective small group and missionary-discipleship formation.

• Coordinate the School of Missionary Discipleship.

• Provide ongoing formation for those involved in handing on the faith at the pastorate leadership level.

• Identify and engage pastorates' gifts to build lifelong missionary disciples.

• Offer in-person formation at a variety of frequencies suited to the needs of the faithful (week-long intensives, monthly, quarterly, etc.).

• Work closely with the Director of Youth and Young Adult Discipleship.

• Provide consultation and support for OCIA, with training as needed.

• Coordinate efforts to build apostolates and connect parishes to those apostolates.

• Understand, maintain, and implement safe environment protocols as determined by the Diocesan Safe Environment Policy.

Essential Qualifications

Primary

• Willingness and ability to effectively make known the Catholic Church's teachings through the varied ministry activities expected of this position.

• Willingness and ability to act as a personal witness to the Catholic faith by living one's professional and personal life in accordance with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

• Proven creativity and innovation for identifying and initiating opportunities to advance discipleship formation in the diocesan pastorates.

• Keen interest in helping others identify and cultivate their natural and spiritual gifts.

• Excellent relational, teaching, and communication skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Theology, Catechesis, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Formation, or similar required; master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Three or more years of experience in adult faith formation, catechesis, spiritual direction or accompaniment, or related pastoral ministry preferred.

• Experience developing and delivering formation programming.

• Familiarity with using strength assessment tools to maximize team performance (CliftonStrengths Assessment, Working Genius, etc.).

• Familiarity with healthy team and leadership principles, with proven experience implementing them while leading and mentoring others.

Other Elements

• Baptized, Confirmed, and active member of the Roman Catholic Church.

• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends, with overnight travel as necessary.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• An understanding and working knowledge of all desktop applications included in the Microsoft Office Suite and various web applications.

• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment; to think strategically; to multitask; and to adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.

• Proven communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Job Conditions and Physical Demands

The following are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry items up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, stoop, climb stairs, talk, hear, grasp, reach, and perform repetitive motions of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

• Ability to work in an office setting as well as at various venues according to event or activity.

• Vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends with occasional overnight travel.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee will work with a large number of individuals, often requiring multitasking and working with deadlines and details to ensure all essential functions are performed in a timely and courteous manner.