Position Title

Contract Position/ Ministry Residency Director

Department

Faith+Lead Academy

Date

4/22/2026

Reports To

Director of Faith+Lead Academy Director

Susan Brooks

Part-time

Part-time, Contract position–20 hours per week.  

Spring 2026 through Spring 2027 with potential for renewal (up to 5 years)  

Not Benefits Eligible

Job Level

Contractor

FTE

Human Resources Use Only:

Exempt

X Non-Exempt

1. Job Summary

The ministry residency director will take responsibility for strategic leadership and daily operations of a one-year-old residency experiment in which undergraduate students receive academic and theological instruction, spiritual mentoring, and guidance in a vocational project in a paid role with a university campus ministry. (Currently two ministries in Montana.  The director provides a monthly instructional session based on the Faith+Lead Academy courses for the group of students, plans and executes a fall retreat and a spring showcase, and serves as a resource for site leaders and spiritual mentors.   As the role evolves, the director will work with the Director of Faith+Lead Academy and Philanthropic Advisor to identify and incorporate additional sites.  Ten hours of administrative assistance are also provided.  

1. Essential Functions

Recruitment:

• Develop and extend relationships with existing, potential, and new sites with openness to various models such as campus ministries, camps, churches, and community ministries. 
• Onboard new sites by explaining program parameters and requirements, assisting in finding a director, training and onboarding mentors, and providing resources (and possible site visits) to recruit residents.
• Publicize the program through established networks and cultivate new networks.
• Work with the Luther marketing team to guide the development of marketing assets.  

Academic Curriculum Development and Execution:

• Plan and execute an onboarding retreat for new and continuing residents, mentors, and site leaders.  
• Teach and assess the Year 1 curriculum with materials and infrastructure provided by Faith+Lead in monthly Zoom meetings with the whole cohort.  Meet with individual students as needed.
• Make changes as needed in consultation with the Advisory Board. 
• Develop a personalized Year 2 experience for continuing  Year 1 students in Fall 2026.
• Develop and launch the formal Year 2 experience in Fall 2027.

Site Partnership Management:

• Meet regularly with site partners via Zoom (and in-person if needed) to encourage and troubleshoot.
• Work with site partners to assess resident and staff experience–adjust as needed in consultation with the advisory team.

Budget and Infrastructure Management:

• Work with Seminary Relations to develop funding sources for individual site contributions.
• Speak with potential donors as requested.
• Maintain budget records, track spending, and consult on major budgetary decisions.

1. Qualifications

Education & Credentials

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent graduate degree in theology, ministry, or related field

Professional Experience

• Significant ministry and teaching experience with adults and those in ministry discernment situations.  
• Track record of successful relationship building and partnership development resulting in a broad network of Christian leaders and communities.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Experience with design thinking in program development

Core Competencies

• Strong understanding of theological education and ministry formation
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to coach, mentor, and provide formative feedback to adults
• Commitment to collaborative leadership and working with advisory structures

Aptitudes 

• Passion for developing emerging ministry leaders
• Flexibility to work with diverse ministry contexts and models
• Self-directed with strong organizational skills
• Commitment to spiritual formation and personal faith development
• Adherence to Luther Seminary’s mission, vision, and welcome statement
• Understanding of theological education ecosystems and openness to establishing creative pathways for leadership development.

1. Physical Demands

Requires the use of a computer for document creation, spreadsheet access, and online meetings.  Requires the ability to meet the demands of air and car travel.  

1. Work Environment

This contract position can be fulfilled from anywhere in the United States. There will be periodic travel for site visits and program events. (Currently, both sites are in Montana.  Proximity to a major airport will be helpful. Reasonable travel costs (outlined in Luther policy) will be paid for by program funds.   Hours are flexible,  but most meetings with students, site leaders, and the Luther advisory board will be daytime meetings in the Central or Mountain Time Zones, resulting in 2-3 standing daytime meetings per month.   There will be occasional evening/weekend work in conjunction with travel, but the specific dates for this travel are negotiable.