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PRESENTS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY






UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - SEATTLE, WA

HISTORY & CURRENT STATUS

The founding of University Presbyterian Church was set into motion when the University of Washington (UW) decided to move from its downtown Seattle location to a plot of land covered with timber and underbrush northeast of Lake Union.

Several local residents came together, deciding to move into what was now called the “U- District” and start UPC. The hope was for UPC to serve as a place of faith and worship for University students, faculty and staff, and neighbors around the campus.

As a result, in 1908, UPC was founded.

The church experienced early growth and continued to thrive and flourish through the following decades. Thousands of college students have been impacted over many years – some staying in the area and calling UPC home and others taking a vibrant faith to cities around the world. Like many churches, UPC saw attendance decline during COVID, and worship attendance is now about 800-1000 (combined online and in-person), while a larger membership of around 2,500 remains connected.

Today UPC’s mission remains the same: to be a center for Christian faith development, inviting people in and sending them out into the world to spread the good news. God has strategically placed UPC in the heart of a neighborhood that has and will continue to be a vibrant area for medicine, high-tech, bio-tech, and entrepreneurship.

University Presbyterian Church is associated with the PC(USA) denomination and the Fellowship Community, an association for those both within and outside of the PC(USA) denomination. This association with the Fellowship Community makes UPC similar to the ECO denomination and in full alignment with that denomination theologically, sharing the same Essential Tenets of Faith.



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.

The core values that hold UPC accountable and define how the church goes about its mission include:

  • 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

UPC is a church seeking to live in the unique intersection of engaging thoughtfully in cultural realities while trusting in the authority of the Scriptures. They are known for working to understand the implications of taking the Scriptures and its calling seriously in the current cultural moment.


UPC is a multi-generational church, that is becoming increasingly more multi-ethnic, reflective of Seattle. They offer both a traditional and contemporary service on Sundays, attracting different demographics - ranging from older and more white to ethnically diverse young professionals.


On Tuesday nights, The Inn, an effective ministry to university students gathers for worship, teaching, fellowship, and fun. This ministry has been an essential part of the life of the church for many years and presents great opportunities to integrate college students into the life of the church.


LOCATION

Seattle is known for its natural beauty, surrounded by mountains and water. Locals do love to be outdoors and participate in boating, skiing, walking, running and more. The rain does not deter activity here! Seattle is known for innovative thinking and is home to Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Boeing, and Vulcan. These industries along with other tech companies attract new employees to the region at a high rate. Politically, Seattle is progressive but areas around it might skew more moderate/conservative.

Seattle is unpretentious – you never know when you might stand behind Bill Gates at Dick’s Burgers (a walk-up burger chain). Business casual or just casual is the feel. Tech, Academia, and Bio-Tech continue to draw workforce from around the world – adding to a quickly diversifying region.

University Presbyterian Church is located in the heart of the University District next to the University of Washington. The church campus is adjacent to Greek Row. The "Ave" (one block away) is a collection of restaurants and services focusing on University students. This street is representative of the ironies of Seattle - homelessness, affluence, young adults, families, working professionals. On any given day, one might experience all of these elements at lunchtime. Our neighborhood can feel gritty, exciting, urban, academic, and developing all at once.

Cranes and high rises are quickly adding density to the area. Light rail opened in Fall 2022, connecting the airport, downtown, U District, and North. The area will experience tremendous growth as UW and housing opportunities expand.

LEADERSHIP

George Hinman came to UPC in 2008 already in love with the Pacific Northwest. Although his earliest childhood memories were of being covered in saltwater, lashed to the high side of a sailboat, racing on San Francisco bay, his fondest memories come from summer camp sailing in the San Juan Islands. The best thing about George is his wife Ann, who has put up with him for over a quarter century. Together they’ve been raised by three wonderful children, Harvey, Will, and Phebe, who by now have done all they can and moved on to bigger things.

George believes in grace. The apostle Paul considered himself ‘chief among sinners,’ but that’s just because he hadn’t met George. It’s been the presence and faithfulness of a gracious God that means the world to George and gives him hope for the world… “Christ in me is the hope of glory.” George is passionate about university students and community, followers of Jesus living kingdom life together. George has served with Cru in New England, as a chaplain at M.I.T., and as pastor of discipleship at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in L.A. Although he’s a UW Husky wannabe, George makes do with a little schooling from Brown University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

George loves to hang out in coffee shops with friends, reading or pretending to drink coffee (which he doesn’t), but you’ll see him just as often riding a bicycle on the Burke-Gilman trail. He loves fly-fishing, skiing, putzing in the garden, and any sport that allows him to win by trash talking.

THE CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY

The Executive Director of Ministry (EDM) is a significant role moving forward for a church that has a significant legacy in the U District of Seattle as the church continues to innovate and adapt its approach to ministry.

Some of the upcoming challenges that you'll have the opportunity to lead through include:

  • 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

Position Summary:

In partnership with the Senior Pastor and Executive Director of Operations, the Executive Director of Ministry supports the mission and vision of UPC by providing strategic integration and alignment to all of UPC’s ministries while building and deploying effective processes for leadership development and management. Our mission 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Alignment

  • 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.

Mission Advancement

  • 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.

Congregational Integration

  • 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.

Leadership Development

  • 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.

SUPERVISION

Lead, develop, and manage the following staff leadership:

  • 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

QUALIFICATIONS

  • 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.

CULTURE EXPECTATIONS

  • 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.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.

COMPENSATION

$105K-$135K + Benefits

CONTACT

To find out additional information, please refer to the church’s website at www.upc.org to watch recent worship services, learn more about their doctrinal beliefs, mission vision and values, and other ministries of the church.

If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and church culture could be a good fit for you, please contact :

Mike Goldsworthy - [email protected]