Director of Religious Life Programs

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Religious Life Programs

Department: Programming

Reports To: Vice President for Programming

Job Type : Full-time, exempt , year round

Schedule: Full-time hours (approx. 40/week) from mid-May to early September; reduced hours (10) from mid-September to early May

Position Summary: The Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care will provide spiritual and pastoral leadership for the staff, residents, and guests of the Lakeside community and oversee all religious programming, in cooperation with the other three pillars, Lakeside United Methodist Church, as well as networking with other churches, religious organizations, and judicatory agencies. The position is full time from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and part time the rest of the calendar year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :  

1. Focus on Lakeside Chautauqua’s Vision Statement for Religious Life: 
   1. To inspire all who enter Lakeside with the spirit of God’s love. 
   2. To engage people of all ages in embracing the values of the Chautauqua experience.
2. Partner with the President and CEO to promote the spiritual foundation of Lakeside in all areas of Lakeside’s life and governance, including the Lakeside Board of Directors, staff, residents, and guests.
3. Assist in securing Preachers of the Week, including contracts, arrangements, and hospitality during their visits.
4. Coordinate the Lakefront Worship Service, Community Worship Service, Sunset Praise & Prayer, Vespers, Roman Catholic Mass, Children’s and Youth worship opportunities, including securing and hiring of staff, and the supervision of staff.
5. Plan weekly and preside at worship services in coordination with preachers/leaders (i.e. Lakefront, Hoover Community Worship and Vespers). Develop and provide bulletins for each service.
6. Oversee implementation all religious educational experiences including, but not limited to Faith for Living, Religious Life Seminars, and seasonal/topical offerings, as they arise.
7. Co-lead Religious Life Advisory Team with team chairperson.
8. Oversee Children’s, Youth, Teen, and Young Adult ministry programs; recruit, mentor, and evaluate

leadership.

1. Provide general oversight of the Religious Life Programming: Creating contracts, submitting vouchers for

payment and supervision of Religious Life Staff, including the Religious Life Intern(s).

1. Coordinate and implement Lakeside’s Wednesday night Picnic in the Park.
2. Lead the creation of the annual Faith Walk Devotional booklet including soliciting contributors, editing each contribution, working directly with the layout and publication team.
3. Attend events and conferences to represent Lakeside as requested by the VP of Programming and the President/CEO. This may include representing Lakeside at statewide and national conferences and religious events.
4. Collaborate with the other three pillars. Explore and execute plans for joint pillar programs.
5. Submit and enter Marketing and space reservations into appropriate online systems. Proof Lakesider news articles prior to publication.
6. Work with the Lakeside community to enhance financial support for Religious Life programming.
7. Maintain communication and organize meetings with local area clergy to explore partnerships and areas of mutual concern. Invite each pastor to participate in the Lakeside Chautauqua program and send weekly updates (during the summer) and timely communications for inclusion in their parish bulletins and/or newsletters.
8. Other duties as assigned.

Collaborate with the Pastor of Lakeside United Methodist Church to accomplish the following:

1. Create hybrid experiences and virtual opportunities for shoulder season religious life programs, as needed. (ex. Advent and Lenten studies).
2. Coordinate and implement the Spiritual Direction Program, including Centering Prayer, Spiritual Directors and retreats.
3. Explore missional activities for Lakeside.

Education and/or Experience :

• Proven track record of parish experience or leadership in the connectional church.
• Master’s degree and/or earned doctorate in theology from an AATS accredited seminary preferred.
• Preference to an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church not requiring an episcopal appointment.
• Ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and theological perspectives. 

How to Apply : 

Submit a: 

• cover letter 
• resume or curriculum vita (including personal contact information)

• minimum of three (3) professional references with contact information for each

Qualifications :

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Computer Skills :

Ability to formulate and work with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDF files. Familiar with use of Teams and Zoom software. 

Language Skills :

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the operation.

Reasoning Ability :

Strong skills in problem solving and conflict management. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions where only limited and standardization exists. 

Physical Demands :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, use vision, depth perception, and have the ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet, cold, humid, hot, very hot, conditions and will be required to work outdoors. These characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Lakeside Chautauqua is an equal opportunity employer.