Rector and Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University

Job Description

Job Description

Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, invites nominations and applications for the role of Rector and Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, with an anticipated appointment beginning Summer 2027.

The next Rector and Dean will assume leadership at a consequential and promising moment in the life of both the Seminary and the University. As one of seven seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and one of only three embedded ELCA seminaries within a broader university, Trinity occupies a distinctive place in theological education.

The Rector and Dean will help define and communicate a compelling vision for Trinity's future - one deeply rooted in Lutheran theology and the formation of leaders for Christ's church while responsive to changing patterns of ministry, theological education, and congregational life. The leader will be called to strengthen sustainable enrollment, nurture a culture of formation and belonging, advance innovative and accessible approaches to theological education, deepen relationships across the ELCA and broader church, and expand Trinity's public witness and external visibility.

As Trinity's chief executive and administrative leader, the Rector and Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as an active leader within Capital University. The successful candidate will bring theological depth, pastoral credibility, academic judgment, strategic imagination, and relational strength and will be able to work effectively at the intersection of church, university, community, and vocation.

A full position prospectus , including information about Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Capital University, Columbus, institutional resources, governance, and the complete leadership agenda, is available on the Capital University website.

Leadership Agenda

The next Rector and Dean will be called to advance the following priorities:

Clarify and Champion Trinity's Distinctive Future

Articulate a clear and compelling vision for what it means for Trinity to flourish as a seminary of the ELCA, a graduate theological school in a changing landscape, and an integral part of Capital University. The Rector and Dean will honor Trinity's Lutheran heritage while helping shape a future responsive to the needs of the church and theological education.

Nurture a Culture of Formation, Belonging, and Accompaniment

Cultivate a community marked by trust, spiritual depth, academic rigor, belonging, and shared purpose. The Rector and Dean will understand formation as central to Trinity's mission and support worship, spiritual practice, mentoring, vocational discernment, leadership development, and pastoral care.

Build Sustainable and Mission-Aligned Enrollment

Lead the development of thoughtful and creative enrollment strategies responsive to changing pathways into ministry and the evolving needs of church leaders and learners. This includes strengthening degree programs while considering certificates, non-degree opportunities, lifelong learning, ecumenical audiences, and new pathways into theological education.

Advance Innovative Models of Theological Education and Formation

Guide the development of accessible and responsive models of theological education, including hybrid and flexible formats, continuing education, interdisciplinary programs, certificates, partnerships, and other pathways that extend Trinity's reach while preserving the depth and integrity of theological formation.

Deepen Trinity's Place Within Capital as One University

Lead Trinity as an integral part of Capital University, building partnerships across academic and administrative areas and contributing to the intellectual, spiritual, and cultural life of the institution. Opportunities include collaboration in vocation, ethics, community engagement, spiritual life, social work, law, business, music, humanities, and other areas.

Expand Public Witness, Ecumenical Reach, and Community Engagement

Strengthen Trinity's role as a visible theological voice within the University, the church, Columbus, and beyond. The Rector and Dean will support ecumenical and interfaith engagement, continuing education, community partnerships, public theological reflection, and engagement with questions of justice, ethics, vocation, leadership, and civic life.

Lead with Stewardship and Entrepreneurial Energy

Exercise responsible stewardship of Trinity's people, programs, relationships, and resources. The Rector and Dean will engage actively in advancement, donor and alumni relations, partnership development, enrollment, external storytelling, and strategic prioritization while working closely with University leadership to strengthen the Seminary's long-term vitality.

Build Capacity Through Faculty and Staff Leadership

Foster a healthy, collaborative, engaged, and adaptive faculty and staff culture grounded in shared governance, academic integrity, accountability, and common purpose. The Rector and Dean will support others in leading and contributing meaningfully to Trinity's future.

Strengthen Relationships Across the ELCA and Broader Church

Serve as a trusted ecclesial leader who cultivates relationships with bishops, synods, congregations, candidacy leaders, alumni, churchwide leaders, and other partners in theological education and ministry formation. The Rector and Dean will represent Trinity with authenticity and credibility while inviting the church more fully into the Seminary's life and future.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must:

• At the time of appointment, be a rostered Minister of Word and Sacrament in good standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, consistent with ELCA requirements for the chief administrative officer of an unincorporated seminary, and be eligible to receive and maintain the appropriate call for service as a seminary administrator.
• Hold an M.Div. or equivalent graduate theological degree and an earned doctorate or other terminal degree appropriate to the candidate's field and the work of graduate theological education, with academic and professional credentials sufficient for appointment to the Trinity Lutheran Seminary faculty under Capital University faculty qualification standards.
• Demonstrate deep grounding in Lutheran theology and the Lutheran Confessions, commitment to the faith and practice of the ELCA, and the ability to articulate the distinctive role of Lutheran theological education in forming leaders for Christ's church and for the sake of the world.
• Bring substantial and progressively responsible leadership experience in theological education, higher education, congregational or synodical ministry, the churchwide organization, or another closely related mission-driven setting.
• Demonstrate the capacity for academic and administrative leadership, responsible stewardship, collaborative decision-making, and effective implementation.
• Demonstrate a record of effective preaching, teaching, theological reflection, ecumenical engagement, and communication appropriate to a leader representing Trinity among students, faculty, congregations, synods, the ELCA, the academy, and the wider public.

Desired Characteristics and Experience

Competitive candidates will demonstrate many of the following:

• Experience in congregational ministry and a strong understanding of the realities facing congregations, pastors, deacons, and candidates for rostered ministry.
• Knowledge of ELCA candidacy, formation, assignment, and first-call processes.
• Experience in theological education, teaching, scholarship, curriculum, assessment, accreditation, or shared governance.
• Success leading faculty and staff and building healthy, collaborative organizational cultures.
• Understanding of enrollment management and the relationship between recruitment, mission, formation, and institutional sustainability.
• Experience developing innovative academic models, partnerships, certificates, hybrid learning, continuing education, or other emerging forms of theological education.
• Financial and budgetary acumen and demonstrated responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
• Experience in advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, donor cultivation, or external partnerships.
• A record as a compelling preacher, teacher, theologian, communicator, and public representative.
• Ecumenical, interreligious, and global perspective.
• Commitment to inclusive community, belonging, and engagement across difference.
• Experience leading within a complex institution and the ability to thrive in the distinctive environment of an embedded seminary within a comprehensive university.
• A collaborative leadership style characterized by pastoral wisdom, humility, transparency, courage, emotional intelligence, accessibility, and the ability to lead meaningful change.

Applications, Nominations, and Expressions of Interest

Capital University is conducting this national search directly.

Candidates must submit:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses the leadership agenda and the qualifications, characteristics, and experiences outlined in this posting and the full position prospectus; and
• A current curriculum vitae.

PDF format is preferred for both documents.

The full Rector and Dean search prospectus, including detailed information about Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Capital University, institutional resources, governance, and the leadership opportunity, is available on the Capital University website.

References will be requested later in the search process.

The position will remain open until filled; however, applications received by October 23, 2026, will be guaranteed full consideration.

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and expressions of interest may be directed to:

View email address on us.fitly.work

For more information on Capital University, visit our website at

Capital University offers a rich benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, family education benefits, short-term and long-term disability, life and critical illness insurance and free parking.

Capital University is an equal opportunity employer. Capital University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, sex, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by the law.

Capital University is currently unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider candidates who will require Visa sponsorship.

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