Full-Time Director of Missional Innovation
Job Description
Position Title: Director of Missional Innovation
Classification: Full-Time Exempt
Supervisor: Director of Connectional Ministries
Purpose
The Director of Missional Innovation is a member of the Connectional Ministries
team, leading efforts that cultivate a culture of innovation and experimentation,
develop pathways of new places for new people, launch new faith communities, and
nurture fresh expressions of faith communities. This role advances our shared vision
of forming passionate disciples who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly,
serve joyfully, and lead courageously – so that lives, communities, and the world
may be transformed by the healing and liberating love of Jesus Christ.
Essential Functions
• In consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries, develop,
implement, oversee, and evaluate strategies, programs, and initiatives that
support new and emerging ministries – so that the Susquehanna Conference
can:
o Initiate new faith communities rooted in contextual relevance and
spiritual vitality
o Cultivate fresh expression of church that engage diverse populations
and emerging generations
o Experiment with innovative, regenerative ministry models that are
forward-looking, adaptable, and missionally grounded
o Train, develop and deploy teams of practitioners who accompany local
churches, ministry teams, clergy, and laity in their strategic work –
offering guidance, tools, and encouragement as they discern and
develop new faith communities.
• Collaborate with the District Superintendents to strategically assess
population areas with high potential for new faith communities
• Take responsibility for ongoing assessments of the fruitfulness of new
worshipping communities across the Annual Conference, offering coaching
guidance, and training where necessary
• Curate and cultivate resources equipping leaders and churches to increase
capacity for entrepreneurialism, experimentation, and innovation
• Guide new faith communities through the process of mergers, adoptions, or
becoming chartered, including managing the financial development to
establish apportionment (Shares of Ministry) payments
• Design and facilitate resourcing and equipping events – including workshops,
cohort sessions, and experiential learning opportunities – that strengthen
leadership development for clergy and laity.
Other Organizational Responsibilities
• Participate in national and jurisdictional networks to develop working
relationships with other Congregational Development offices.
• Serve as a non-voting member of the Grow-Equip team of the Annual
Conference for the planning, executing, and evaluating of grant requests. And,
for the planning, executing, and evaluating of clergy and laity learning
opportunities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of
Connectional Ministries.
Core Competencies
• Christ-centered and Christ-like
• Committed to gracefully ministering and journeying alongside people from
different walks of life and theological perspectives
• Committed to continuously growing in intercultural competence
• Build and maintain relationships rooted in honesty, integrity, and honor
confidentiality
• Work collaboratively to produce innovative solutions
• Communicate clearly and accurately, in writing and orally, with unifying
messages that motivate action
• Inspire and influence people to achieve challenging goals and positive results
• Manage the performance of team members, setting clear and measurable
goals.
• Understand complex systems and organizations and lead people through
change, disruption, and difference
• Attend to details and due dates
• Willingness and ability to support the mission, vision, and core values of The
United Methodist Church and the Susquehanna Conference
• Extensive knowledge of the structure and polity of The United Methodist
Church
Qualifications
• Ten years ministry experience and active participation in The United Methodist
Church preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in related field, Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or similar graduate
degree in theology, ministry, or a related field preferred
• Management experience in supervising a diverse staff team
• Experience in creating and managing complex budgets
• Experience in leading and managing change
• Experience in leading and managing complex projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Moderate/advanced knowledge of MS Office 365 Suite and Google
Workspace
Travel
• The position requires evening and weekend responsibilities, extensive travel
within SUS, and some travel outside the region. It works from the Conference
Center in Mechanicsburg, PA.
