Job Description

About Houston Christian University

At Houston Christian University, our Christian liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs have equipped students to lead, collaborate, and discover out of a deep sense of purpose for more than 60 years. We are driven forward by our central confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” and defined by our “Ten Pillars” core convictions From this foundation we guide students confidently into discerning discovery, preparing them to think biblically, critically, and holistically about how to engage the world. We aspire to care for every student by meeting their academic, spiritual, and social needs with mentorship and support. At HCU, we are cultivating a culture of excellence that will mold a new generation of leaders in their communities, standard-setters in their professions, and fruitful disciples in their churches.

HCU is set in the heart of one of the most diverse and fastest-growing cities in the nation—and our growth and diversity match the dynamism of the city we call home. We continue to break records with our incoming freshmen class sizes, our graduate programs have more than doubled in the past decade, and we are significantly expanding our online programs as well.

Houston Theological Seminary & The School of Christian Thought

The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University is growing in size and the number of program offerings. We have embraced distance education while maintaining residential programs. We now have students across the globe pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s, and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degrees

A central part of the School of Christian Thought is Houston Theological Seminary (HTS), which encompasses all graduate programs in our college. HTS is an evangelical seminary, strongly committed to Christian orthodoxy, with an important Baptist heritage. Our students and faculty represent a variety of Christian traditions and perspectives bound together by our shared commitment to Jesus’ Lordship and affirmation of HCU’s preamble and 10 Pillars. We are supported by the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). The Doctor of Ministry program is supported by the generous Cole Scholarship fund.

The newest seminary offering is our doctoral program – the DMin – which offers two tracks: New Testament and Faith & Culture. Launched five years ago, the DMin has over 50 doctoral students and an excellent roster of affiliated faculty and project supervisors. As the program continues to grow, additional tracks will be added.

Incoming faculty will join a warm community of scholars with active research projects. Community life in the school centers around our fortnightly research seminar with faculty, students, and guest speakers joining in-person and virtually. We also host weekly prayer gatherings and meals with students.

We are seeking a full-time faculty member who will lead our Doctor of Ministry program. The faculty member will have leadership and ministry experience, be dedicated to training others for service in ministry, and have expertise and a terminal degree in one of the following areas:

• Practical Theology
• Biblical Studies
• Cultural Apologetics

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide vision and leadership for the Doctor of Ministry program
• Promote the doctoral program and effectively recruit new DMin students
• Oversee the operation of the Doctor of Ministry, including planning for the 1-week intensives each semester and managing supervisory assignments
• Be a point of contact for prospective students interested in Doctor of Ministry
• Provide mentorship and advising for current doctoral students
• Advance the Doctor of Ministry program through church partnerships, adjunct recruitment, and other proactive initiatives
• Lead program accreditation maintenance and renewal
• Work with the chair of the Department of Theology
• In conjunction with the Dean’s office, oversee the DMin budget, including the awarding of the Cole Scholarship.
• Teach the equivalent of a 4-4 load, with a 2-2 course reduction for administrative duties.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide excellent teaching to School of Christian Thought students in a variety of delivery formats;
• Actively integrate the Christian faith in teaching;
• Actively engage in scholarly work in their related discipline;
• Participate in various service activities to the School, University, and community; and,
• Maintain an active Christian faith and church participation.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should have an earned PhD or DMin in a related field;
• Professional experience within the candidate’s discipline or in a related field will be an advantage; and
• Substantial experience in organizational leadership and ministry.
• Candidates must affirm HCU’s statement of faith encompassed in the university preamble and Ten Pillars This commitment must be reaffirmed annually.
• HCU seeks candidates with an active Christian faith who are willing to integrate faith and learning in the classroom. The candidate must be able to document an excellent teaching record and provide evidence of scholarly interests and achievements.

Timeline:

The ideal candidate will be able to take up the role in January of 2027. If a suitable candidate is unavailable for a January start, candidates who can begin on August 1st of 2027 will be considered. Review of applications will begin on September 15th. The position will remain open until filled.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should begin by submitting a letter of interest, which addresses the job requirements and agreement with the university’s faith statements, as well as a CV that includes contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission. The letter of interest and CV should be emailed to sctdean@hc.edu with the subject line “DMin Director Search.”

Additional Information:

Houston Christian University is an independent, private Christian liberal arts university dedicated to the development of moral character, the enrichment of spiritual lives, and perpetuation of growth in Christian ideals. HCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Houston Christian University is committed to maintaining a teaching faculty and staff who share an active Christian faith. The Preamble to the By-Laws of the University and the Ten Pillars set forth a statement of belief which each University employee is expected to support and personify as an essential function of their employment at the University. Your submittal of an application for employment indicates your acceptance and affirmation of these statements.

As one of the most diverse universities in the nation, Houston Christian University also strives to build a faculty and staff team that will increasingly provide role models who embody biblical orthodoxy and ethics for our students, whatever their background or life experience.

As with all open positions at the University, a contract or employment offer will only be extended when there is confirmed budget availability for the year in which the qualified candidate’s employment would begin.

**Disclaimer**

Background checks are performed for every new hire. If your application is selected to continue in our hiring process, you will be required to submit a background check form authorizing this screening. If you decline, your application may be denied. By proceeding with the online application, you understand and accept this process.