Program Director, Exploration Team – Leadership Development

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Chicago, IL

14h • $64,480 - $96,720 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 The Office of the Presiding Bishop provides overall leadership and administration for the ELCA, chairs key assemblies and councils, guides the church’s bishops, leads ecumenical relationships and supports members as they live boldly in God’s Mission. This position is part of the Exploration Team within the office of the Presiding Bishop. This role provides leadership in the implementation of a donor-funded proposal that seeks to develop new, non-congregational, lay-led ministries that engage new people in a life of discipleship. This position works with the Exploration Team and has primary leadership and responsibility for the identification of 300 leaders, resulting in the deployment of 100 new lay leaders to lead new ministries by 1/31/31. This role works in collaboration with the wider Exploration working group (Research and Evaluation and Innovation) and other partners in the churchwide organization and seeks to discern the viability of lay ministry training models to grow the church’s capacity to reach unchurched and dechurched people. This is a full-time, term-contract (beginning Spring 2026, ending 1/31/2027 and is renewable), exempt, Chicago-based/hybrid position. This role requires being in the office a minimum of 2 days/week and more as needed. 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.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience directing a large program. Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or theological education preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience. ELCA rostered leader preferred.
• Evangelical heart, with an understanding of the mindset of unchurched and dechurched people.
• Membership in an ELCA congregation/worshipping community.
• Demonstrated leadership capacity, including knowledge of adaptive leadership principles, clear interpersonal communication, and public speaking ability.
• Experience with and a passion for developing the gifts of lay leaders.
• Skill and experience in vocational discernment.
• Detail oriented with a vision for how to organize and track people and ministries.
• Knowledge of and appreciation for the ELCA’s mission, vision, values, and goals; theology, polity, structure, it’s organizations and leaders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism.
• 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. Advanced experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) required.

Responsibilities

• Over the grant period, in partnership with other leaders and teams in the churchwide organization, oversee the identification, discernment, and education of 300 new leaders, resulting in the deployment of 100 new leaders to lead new ministries, including Gather, College Graduate Ministries, Fresh Expressions and Microchurches.
• Work with the Executive for Exploration to evaluate existing education models and to develop a long-term plan for educating lay leaders for ministry leadership.
• Facilitate the engagement of identified lay leaders into other ELCA ministries and organizations, helping to build a leadership pipeline.
• Work with the Horizon Apprentice Program to identify and steward new leaders.
• Work with the Executive for Exploration to plan and track the strategic execution of the project, including lay leaders, ministries, and other aspects of the program.
• Work in collaboration with the Program Director, Exploration Team - New Ministries to coordinate the deployment and support of lay leaders to lead new ministries.
• Develop a communication plan to tell the stories of learning, growth, and development of these new leaders.
• Ensure regular communication with prospective leaders, working with synod partners to support and problem-solve as needed.
• Assist in the evaluation of all aspects of these ministries and help assess their viability for scaling.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director