Job Description

This posting will close July 26, 2026, at 11:00 pm central time.

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position

Grounded in our purpose and priorities, the Christian Community and Leadership unit (CCL) helps the ELCA reach and engage new people reflecting the diversity of communities, welcoming them into the Christian faith. To this end, we will energize and engage our core membership and work with the whole of the ELCA to recruit, develop and deploy the leadership, both lay and rostered, that the church needs to fulfill its purpose of spreading the gospel and building the church.

The Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) represents the ELCA through the Christian Community and Leadership Unit (CCL) in the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and is responsible for the development of tools to support congregational vitality, which we define as, “Communities of Jesus that nurture new life-changing relationships with God, one another and the world.” The position also reflects the purposes, principles and commitments of the synod, CCL and the ELCA as a whole.

The (DEM) will collaborate and coordinate with Churchwide, synod and congregational leaders to develop strategies designed to help congregations engage their communities so that more people know the way of Jesus and discover community, justice and love.

The person in this position is expected to fully participate in the life and ministry of the synod on the synod staff with synod initiatives and is responsible for implementing and building upon ELCA commitments to ministries among diverse cultures and communities, people with disabilities, and the young-adult population, as well as people and communities experiencing poverty. The DEM participates in resourcing the synod mission strategy with an emphasis on congregational vitality, evangelism, and leadership.

This position will be coterminous with the synod bishop and supervised jointly by both the Bishop of the Synod and CCL staff. Other assignments of responsibility will be made by the Synod Bishop and Senior Director, DEM Relationships. The position will be based in the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and will serve as a living representation of the interdependent nature of the ELCA.

About the synod

The Northwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA (NWMN Synod), is 217 worshiping communities and 75,000 people serving in 21 counties in the northwest quadrant of Minnesota. The region has a population of approximately 429,919 of which one in six is an ELCA member. The NWMN Synod is organized into eight conferences and is served by 178 active rostered ministers and 19 SAMs. The average weekly worship breakdown according to the ELCA Research & Evaluation Department (2024 data) reveals the following:

• 159 of 217 congregations (82%) experience 150 or fewer worshipping on average

• 104 of 159 experience 50 worshippers or less on average (60% of 217 congregations)

• 53 of 159 experience 25 worshippers or less on average (24% of 217 congregations)

Affirmations and Directions

We are called to follow Jesus alongside of our neighbors of the sovereign federally recognized tribes of the Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth bands of the Ojibwa people.

Our Vision: “Freed by God’s grace to be wholly devoted to Jesus and our neighbor in love.”

Our Values: FAITHFUL in relationships. AUTHENTIC in our welcome. LOVE that makes a difference.

Our Mission: Nurture safe and healthy spaces for the ministry of the Gospel to unfold and shape an abundant future for all in NWMN.

Our Strategy pursues four “Lines of Effort” that include a focus on the vitality of rural congregations, forming and equipping diverse leaders, gathering leaders to address emerging challenges and opportunities, and more fully embracing our baptismal vocation. One of the early tasks of the new DEM will be to coordinate an update of the synod’s strategic plan. For more information see the Northwestern Minnesota website at www.nwmnsynod.org

This position is a full-time, term-contract (coterminous with the synod bishop which ends August 31, 2031), in-person, exempt, synod staff position. The position has responsibilities that require them to live in the geographic territory of the synod and to be in the synod office on a weekly basis.

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Responsible for the formation and coordination of at least one synod team that organizes the vitality of existing congregations and new mission development in the synod (including area ministry strategies, congregational mission plans, and congregational vitality).

2. Responsible for the administration of the portfolio of ministries supported by the New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team including the process of application and evaluation of grants through the ELCA Grantmaker (EGM) System. Provides supervision, monitors development and evaluates progress of funded ministries.

3. Responsible for identifying, recruiting and training leaders for the work of the church including those who can serve as mission developers and rostered ministers.

4. Responsible for establishing short- and long-term priorities and sharing learnings with the synod and across the ELCA. Provides a visible witness to the interdependent nature of the church and communicates our shared mission and vision.

5. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

1. 5+ years of experience effectively leading an effort that helped bring people to faith. Grounding in Christian faith and familiarity with Lutheran theology, evangelism, discipleship and the theories and practice of mission development that responds to God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

2. Effective communicator in preaching, teaching, writing and evangelical outreach.

3. Demonstrated ability working with leaders in agile, adaptive innovation and facilitating group processes as well as knowledge, experience and/or willingness to learn, listen and utilize the ELCA Coaching Ministry in growing leaders and building tables.

4. Ability to utilize metrics, congregational trend reports and demographic data in the process of the development of congregational vitality for new and existing congregations.

5. Proven effective time-management and administrative experience and ability to meet deadlines and attention to details.

6. Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical and communication skills and the ability to work in partnership with peers, other CCL staff, synod and regional staff.

7. Demonstrated competency among communities of color; and well as with people and communities experiencing poverty. Ability to relate and communicate well in diverse cultural, ethnic and socio-economic situations and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.

8. Active participation in a Christian congregation and God’s mission.

9. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA.

10. Minimum Technical Competency: Computer knowledge that enables you to operate a Windows Computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions. Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications. Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred. Ability to learn new software and systems.

Physical

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. May be required to lift boxes of materials. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Position requires some overnight, domestic travel by plane and car, though travel within the synod can usually be accomplished within the same day. Valid driver’s license is preferred.

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.