Job Listings

General Description

The Coordinator for Community Engagement and Ministry Formation is responsible for investigating and developing congregational, nonprofit and NGO connections and networks for service work and field education opportunities that summon students to work on issues of diversity and division. In managing the Bethany Neighborhood project, the Coordinator will lead students to critically reflect on their field education experiences and help create a sense of belonging and responsibility to the community. The Coordinator will also participate in classroom segments alongside teaching faculty and work with faculty and staff in assessing the results of curricular and co-curricular programming for ministry formation and community engagement. A key component of this role is organizing programs and activities in accordance with Bethany's goal of developing resilient, theologically-informed leaders who can capably work across lines of diversity and division to pursue unity and understanding.

Responsibilities

• Form and maintain relationships for the purpose of program placement with congregational, nonprofit, and parachurch organizations in Richmond, IN, and in other locations for distance students, especially those in the MDiv and MASST programs.
• Organize and supervise service work opportunities in the city of Richmond that emphasize bridge-building along lines of division and diversity.
• Work with faculty in integrating curricular and co-curricular goals related to bias, cultural competencies, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution.
• Aid students in making connections between curricular and co-curricular learnings through facilitating student discussions in conversation with relevant faculty members.
• Develop and participate in campus events in connection with the Bethany Neighborhood.
• Aid in assessment of students’ fulfillment of program expectations in conversation with faculty and the Academic Dean.

Relationships

The Coordinator for Ministry Formation and Community Engagement reports to the experiential learning workgroup chair and works closely with other faculty as well as members of the student services department. The Coordinator will interact with a myriad of constituencies, including students, faculty and staff, community members, nonprofit and parachurch organizations, and the general public.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree required in divinity, religion/religious studies, education or educational leadership, social work, counseling, theology, or a related academic field.
• Background in religious, nonprofit, and/or social justice-oriented settings required.
• Experience in community organizing preferred.
• High level of emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm for students’ growth.
• Background, training, or other experience with DEI work, especially in the context of theological higher education.
• Experience effectively connecting diverse contexts to strategies that integrate DEI to execute programs, processes, and initiatives.
• Strong communication abilities, including written, oral, and listening skills.
• Operate with a high level of independence as well as collaborate with staff and faculty.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Seminary.
• Commitment to building relationships and networks in the Richmond area and in the home communities of Bethany Connections students.
• Appreciation and understanding of a variety of ministry contexts.
• Expectation of work several evenings per week and some weekends, as needed.
• Ability to travel approximately thirty days per year for development of field education sites.

Bethany Theological Seminary’s policy prohibits discrimination in employment opportunities or practices with regard to race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or religion.

Send cover letter and resume to communitycoordinatorsearch@bethanyseminary.edu.