PRESENTS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY
UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - SEATTLE, WA
HISTORY & CURRENT STATUS
MISSION/VISION/VALUES
The mission of UPC is to be: a family of communities joining Jesus to transform our lives and the lives of neighbors at the University of Washington, in our neighborhoods, and all around the world.
- Gospel Shaped Lives - The good news of Jesus transforms us.
- Living As Family - We share life together in circles of community
- Sent For Others - We're here for the sake of people beyond ourselves.
- Growing With Students - We grow as students together with students
- Global Culture - We open our lives to the world on our doorstep.
CHURCH CULTURE/STYLE
LOCATION
LEADERSHIP
THE CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
- Helping the church to lean into vision and strategy in a new way. With clearly articulated theology, witness to the gospel, and desire to share the good news of Jesus to neighbors, missional initiatives will require strategic investment in order to become more integrated into the life of the church
- With tremendous population growth in the immediate neighborhood over the next 2-7 years, there is an opportunity to reach new people in a growing community as the church recognizes its need to better connect with more young families as well as an increasingly multi-ethnic community. The ability to engage, understand and communicate culturally is imperative for this position moving forward.
- The outgoing EDM served as the first person in this newly created position, creating a foundation of ministry engagement, and strategic alignment. The next leader will not need to start from scratch, but rather will need to help build sustainable systems and structures
- Due to both COVID and clarifying theology around sexual ethics, the church has been experiencing a decline in the size of the congregation. As a result, discipleship around issues such as sexual ethics, as well as offering clear management and leadership to direct reports and the broader staff will be essential moving forward.
POSITION PROFILE
Executive Director of Ministry Profile
- Work with the Session, Senior Pastor, and Executive Team to ensure UPC makes decisions according to its vision, values, and primary strategic focus.
- Be a trusted partner in ministry and sounding board for the Senior Pastor, ensuring their vision is refined, effectively communicated, and strategically integrated into the fabric of ministry.
- Develop a strategic model that demonstrates how every ministry at UPC contributes to the vision and mission.
- Work with the Executive Director of Operations to be the primary leaders of the strategic calendar, mapping out priorities, identifying goals, and tracking progress against a shared dashboard.
- Partner with the communication team so they are able to “keep the main thing the main thing” through every medium and channel.
- Working through key staff leadership, appropriately integrate the values of Formissional Community (formation as disciples, on mission for neighbors, in community as family) into every discipleship ministry at UPC.
- Develop and oversee systems that launch, sustain, and develop communities that embody Formissional Community with neighbors both in our immediate neighborhood and in the neighborhoods of Seattle.
- Partner with departmental elders, teachers, leaders, parents, and key congregational members in articulating vision, setting goals, implementing action plans, and evaluating effectiveness.
- Work with leaders to translate vision into action through effective teamwork, implementation, management, and accountability.
- Provide oversight and alignment to the guest experience, engagement, and retention process, working in partnership with the Exc. Director of Operations to reduce barriers and ensure UPC’s Church Management System is working to support healthy growth (follow-up to new people, growth group updates, etc.).
- Partner with University Ministries to integrate student ministry and students more fully into the life of the church
- Partner with the Worship Arts Dept. to plan and review weekly and seasonal worship services.
- Build the capacity of UPC’s ministry for Global Culture and to involve participants of many cultures and ethnicities.
- Model and shape a culture centered on Jesus in which our mission for neighbors grows out of our own experience of him and our own personal transformation in him.
- Develop and execute systems of leadership development and management that shape culture and raise the leadership bar throughout UPC (including elders, staff, and lay leaders).
- Develop staff for both personal transformation and growing professional effectiveness.
- Equip staff to recruit, equip, align, and appreciate lay leaders, teachers, and volunteers of all ages.
- Develop strategic relationships with ministries and leaders throughout the region.
- Pastor of Care and Kindred Community
- Pastor of Discipleship
- Pastor of Global Ministries
- Director of Family Ministries
- Director of Missional Communities and Young Adult Ministry
- Director of University Ministries
- Director of Side-By-Side
- A dynamic walk with Christ and participation in his mission in the world.
- A minimum of 7 years in strategic ministry leadership with hands-on experience building, developing, and managing robust teams.
- High self-awareness with an ability to “read” others and the way they are perceived by them.
- Experience leading in a cross-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.
- A clear, honest, and strong communicator with a demonstrated executive presence on and off the platform.
- An ability to influence, build relationships, and foster spiritual, emotional, and relational development.
- A collaborative and decisive leadership style that builds trust, equips leaders, sets goals, and encourage accountability.
- Effective planning and organizational capacity with strong execution and follow-through skills.
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple and complex projects to desired outcomes.
- Aware of popular culture as well as the trends and movements that impact contextual ministry in an increasing post-Christian setting.
- A bachelor’s degree is required; however, a master’s degree in theology or another related field is preferred.
- Character: Constructive attitude, genuine humility, spiritual vitality, and teachable character.
- Competence: Resilient flexibility, other-focused, results-driven, and God-honoring excellence.
- Chemistry: Relationally intelligent, works collaboratively, and shared commitment to the vision of UPC.
- An active participant in the ministry of University Presbyterian Church.
- Theological alignment with our “Essential Tenets” of faith
- An ability to recognize and maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrate Christ-centered behavior by treating people with dignity, respect, and compassion.
- Attendance at all mandatory meetings and events, including Sunday services and special services like Easter and Christmas, unless special permission is given.
- Computer literate, including website and social media platforms.
- This position requires some travel, overnights, and a flexible schedule to respond to ministry needs.