Coordinator of Christian Formation
Trinity Ecumenical Parish—a growing and dynamic congregation comprised of members from three denominations: The Episcopal Church in the U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—seeks a non-ordained person of faith with training and broad experience in Christian formation to work collaboratively with pastors and lay leaders in support of expanding ministries, focusing primarily on (a) Christian education for children, youth and adults, (b) family ministry, (c) youth ministry, and (d) small group ministry. Located in the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake community of Southwestern Virginia, TEP’s growing congregation of 650 members respect and honor our three faith traditions as we actively minister to one another, the community and beyond. For more information about Trinity Ecumenical Parish, please visit our website at www.smltep.org. Resumes may be submitted to: CCF Search, 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta, VA 24121 or tepadmin@smltep.org.
Position Description:
Person Description: A person of faith and integrity with training and broad experience in Christian formation – education, youth ministry, leadership development, spiritual gifts, lay ministry, and small group ministry – who can work collaboratively in a growing ministry setting where roles and responsibilities are re-negotiated regularly.
Accountability: The Coordinator of Christian Formation will be accountable to the Parish Council and will work in partnership with the pastors and the lay leaders of the Parish, and will serve as a resource to the pastors and to the various groups and teams that carry out the ministry of Trinity Ecumenical Parish. Success in this position will be defined not by how much you accomplish, but by how well you encourage, enhance and support the members of the Parish in fulfilling their call to ministry.
Status: This is a full-time, permanent position.
Ministry Functions:
A. As a member of the Parish Staff
1. Promote the value and importance of Christian formation and Christian practices for all ages and stages of life
2. Serve as a colleague and partner with the pastors and the entire Parish staff in building up the body of Christ in this place through Christian formation and Christian practice.
3. Work collaboratively with the pastors in providing leadership to the Family Ministry Team, the Adult Education Team, the Ministry of Christian Education Team, and the Small Group Ministry Team.
4. Assist the Parish Staff and ministry teams in the implementation of “A Plan for Safeguarding All of God’s People at Trinity Ecumenical Parish.”
B. As a member of the Family Ministry Team and the Adult Education Team
1. Encourage, enhance, resource and support the pastors and the lay leaders in the areas of: (a) family ministry, (b) Christian education for children, youth and adults, and (c) youth ministry.
2. Participate with the Ministry of Christian Education Team, the Adult Education Team, the Youth Ministry Leadership Team, and the Family Ministry Team in developing, implementing, reviewing and evaluating ministries and programs of Christian formation for children, youth, families and adults.
3. Participate in selecting curriculum and other resources for all areas of Christian formation, and plan and coordinate training for teachers and leaders at all levels.
4. Participate in envisioning and developing new programs and ministries of Christian formation for all ages.
5. Participate in workshops and training events offered by our diocese, presbytery and synod as appropriate; maintain working knowledge of resources offered by and/or available through our three denominations, both locally and nationally.
C. As a member of the Small Group Ministry Team
1. Encourage, resource and support the growth of Small Group Ministry in order that every parishioner has the opportunity to connect with one or more small groups and/or ministry teams in ways that will make appropriate use of their gifts, talents, skills, interests and resources.
2. Enable the continued growth of small groups which emphasize the four basic practices of faith: Service, Prayer, Mutual Support, Study.
3. Assist small groups and ministry teams in modeling healthy congregational life while connecting persons with meaningful and fulfilling opportunities to use their God-given gifts in ministry to others in the name of Jesus Christ.
4. Assist the Small Group Ministry Team in identifying resources for small groups.
Candidate Profile:
The successful candidate will possess or be committed to developing many of the following:
1. Christian character and a dedication to sharing the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
2. Support for the Vision and Mission of Trinity Ecumenical Parish (copy attached).
3. Willingness to uphold and embody the Expectation of Leaders at Trinity Ecumenical Parish (copy attached).
4. Knowledge of and experience with Christian education, youth ministry, family ministry, and small group ministry.
5. Knowledge of the faith-development needs of children, youth, and adults; knowledge of resources for these areas of ministry.
6. Trained Healthy Congregations facilitator or willingness to obtain training.
7. Ability to work enthusiastically and independently in a team-based environment, and to manage multiple priorities.
8. Effective communication skills: oral, written, and electronic.
9. Knowledge of emerging technology in Christian education and formation.
10. Ability to work collaboratively with highly motivated leaders and pastors.
11. Commitment to personal and professional growth.
12. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Christian Education/Formation or equivalent.
13. Appreciation of the doctrines, traditions, and practices of The Episcopal Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Affiliation with one of these denominations is desirable but not required.
(posted July 9, 2008)
