Share Email Opening
Title

Executive Minister, Justice and Witness Ministries, Close Date: 9/30/16 
Ministry Team Justice and Witness Ministries  
Reports To General Synod through the United Church of Christ Board.  
FLSA Status Exempt  
Salary Grade 12  
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Category National and Global Ministries, Cleveland, Ohio  
Starting Salary  
Description

GENERAL PURPOSE OF POSITION:  The Executive Minister for Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) will oversee the programmatic work of JWM, which shall be carried out in accordance with the policies, planning, and broad oversight of the United Church of Christ Board as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws. With the General Minister and President, the Executive Minister will be involved in the overall functions of the national setting, including visioning and planning, communications, development and management of budgets, development and leadership of staff, and implementation of policies adopted by the General Synod and the United Church of Christ Board. The Executive Minister is accountable to the General Synod through the United Church of Christ Board.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

  • Testifies to the history, theological identity, and witness of the United Church of Christ as an Officer of the United Church of Christ.
  • Is the principal executive and interpreter of the mission of Justice and Witness Ministries, who bears responsibility for guiding and coordinating the broad life and work of Justice and Witness Ministries, for articulating a vision of the United Church of Christ’s justice and peace ministry to and with God’s world, and for organizing and advocating around that vision so as to enable and  encourage Local Churches, Associations, Conferences, and other national expressions of the United Church of Christ to engage in God’s mission for the integrity of creation, justice and peace.
  • Bears responsibility for honoring the history and legacies of the predecessor bodies of this Ministry and enabling the Ministry to build upon the strengths of those traditions.
  • Guides the development of envisioning and planning for the faithful and effective accomplishment of all dimensions of the mission of Justice and Witness Ministries as defined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ.
  • Participates in the Collegium of Officers and the Mission Planning Council.
  • Serves as ex-officio member of the United Church Board and accordingly as a member of the Board of Directors of each Covenanted Ministry.
  • Represents this Covenanted Ministry in ecumenical, interdenominational, and interfaith relations.

 

COMMITMENTS AND PERSPECTIVES

  • Is grounded in a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Has a working knowledge of the history, polity, practice, and biblical/theological traditions of the United Church of Christ.
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of and openness to the new faith traditions and experiences which are part of the church life of the United Church of Christ.
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of and commitment to the United Church of Christ’s vision of being a multiracial/multicultural church in a multifaith world, inclusive of all peoples.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the involvement, perspectives and development of children, youth and young adults throughout the life of the church.
  • Demonstrates an ecumenical and global faith perspective.
  • Demonstrates commitment to acting upon justice issues in society.
  • Embraces and is committed to the ethos envisioned as part of the Unified Governance that took effect in July 2013.

 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

  • ADMINISTRATIVE:  Demonstrated experience in oversight and management.

 

  • Planning and Organization:  Demonstrated skills in strategic planning; ability to work with others to establish and implement short and long-term goals to meet future directions of the United Church of Christ; ability to maintain control over areas of responsibility.
  • Decision Making:  Ability to make decisions, render judgments, take action and/or commit oneself, with proper thought, consultation, deliberation, and prayer.
  • Finance and Budget:  Ability to understand, analyze, and plan in areas of budget development and administration for the financial oversight of the institution.
  • Supervision:  Skills in performance management; ability to provide fair and honest feedback and to coordinate activities of staff and allocate proper resources; is willing to initiate action to improve skills and performance of staff; demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity employment and to the United Church of Christ’s program of affirmative action.
  • Continuous Education:  Exhibits a commitment to increasing the effectiveness of staff and self, including the ability to identify development needs and sources of learning.

 

 

  • LEADERSHIP:  Guiding individuals and groups in carrying out God’s mission through Justice and Ministries, and in articulating and actualizing the vision of the United Church of Christ.

 

  • Leader: Ability to apply appropriate interpersonal and collegial approaches to guide individuals and diverse groups toward faithful task and goal achievement; to foster a variety of models of decision-making.
  • Listener:  Skill in understanding the verbal communication of others.  This includes the ability to remember, to be sensitive and discerning, and to apply information received verbally.
  • Communicator:  Ability to express oneself effectively in individual and group situations, including the effective expression of ideas and tasks in verbal or written form.
  • Visionary:  Ability to conceptualize future situations; to see the whole, as well as the particular, picture, including peoples roles within it; and to assess its impacts on other individuals or groups; has a vision for the United Church of Christ, and is able to hear and integrate the vision of others.
  • Handler of Complex Organizations:  Ability to perceive the impact of one’s decisions and actions on the various parts of the structure and to be aware and sensitive to the needs and goals of other settings, seeking collaborative solutions wherever possible.
  • Advocate of Innovations:  Ability to recognize and support unique and creative ideas, support changes with personal action and resources, while maintaining tolerance for the risks involved.
  • Conflict Mediator:  Ability to apply appropriate problem-solving and negotiation methods in situations involving differences between individuals and/or groups.

 

  • PERSONAL QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

 

  • Is pastoral:  Translates and communicates faith perspectives to everyday life events and decisions, including those experienced in work settings; relates to peers, colleagues, and others in a pastorally sensitive manner.
  • Is a person of faith:  Lives out of a disciplined rhythm of worship, prayer, and spiritual growth. 
  • Demonstrates integrity:  Maintains religious, social, and ethical standards in all work-related, social, and personal situations; acts, and is perceived by others, as behaving morally and ethically.
  • Has a secure sense of self:  Demonstrates strong self-esteem and self-image; takes time for self-reflection and personal growth; makes decisions and takes actions where one’s own convictions, and not simply the opinions of others, are a strong influence.
  • Demonstrates humility:  Respects and is sensitive to others who are different in experience or opinion; perceived by others as being humble.
  • Is open-minded:  Controls premature decisions and judgments; is receptive to new information and different ideas or viewpoints; exhibits courage and the willingness to accept risks in moving toward something new.
  • Is a collegial/team player:  Believes that group initiatives and plans are enhanced by dialogue and consensus decision-making among colleagues.
  • Values diversity:  Values and is committed to the many forms and experiences of diversity which are present in the life of the United Church of Christ.
  • Maintains a healthy balance:  Is pro-active in maintaining a healthy life style and is effective in balancing personal and work dimensions of her/his life; and possesses a sense of humor.  
 
Position Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform successfully in this position.

 

  • Is a member of a local church of the United Church of Christ.
  • Advanced degree and broad experience in leadership settings of the United Church of Christ, including significant experience in the local church.
  • Exhibits the ability to see and act out of a whole-church perspective.
  • Has experience and the capacity to work in diverse settings and among diverse people in collegial, constructive, caring, and covenantal ways.
  • Has experience and proven ability in a multiple-agenda setting.
  • Has demonstrated experiences with the global dimensions of the Church.
  • Demonstrated experience in acting upon and advocating for justice issues in society.
  • Is able to articulate a vision of the United Church f Christ’s engagement with and responsibility to society.
  • Has courage to act on convictions without becoming discouraged.
  • Experienced and comfortable with prophetic witness.

 

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position and is subject to review and change at any time in accordance with the needs of the ministry. Since no job description can detail all duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a position, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a position shall also be considered part of the position holder’s responsibility.

 

It is expected that the person who holds this position will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the policies of the UCC and in a manner that will reflect positively on the organization. All employees are encouraged to nurture safety within the work performed on behalf of the UCC by being attentive to self-care, education, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and the importance of referring those in need to supportive and helpful resources.

 

The United Church of Christ National Ministries is a Multicultural, Multiracial, Open and Affirming, Accessible to All, Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

Continuing Testament                             Extravagant Welcome                               Changing Lives

 
Comprehensive Benefits Package Employer paid health, dental, pension, and life insurance benefits  
Application Deadline September 30, 2016  
About the Organization The United Church of Christ



Our faith is 2000 years old. Our thinking is not.



We believe in God's Continuing Testament.

We believe in Extravagant Welcome

We believe the church's mission is to Change Lives



 

This position is currently not accepting applications.

To search for an open position, please go to http://UCC.appone.com


 


AppOne.comTM   copyrightŠ1999-2017 HR Services, Inc.
Click here for technical assistance.