Full-Time Director of Congregational Health & Leadership Development
Job Description
Position Title: Director of Congregational Health & Leadership Development
Classification: Full-Time Exempt
Supervisor: Director of Connectional Ministries
Purpose
The Director of Congregational Health and Leadership Development is a member of
the Connectional Ministries team, leading efforts that cultivate missional excellence
in local churches and foster dynamic leadership development. 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
Local Congregational Health
In consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries, develop,
implement, organize, and evaluate congregational development strategies,
programs, and initiatives that equip churches to:
• Assess their ministry’s health, sustainability, and viability with honesty and
hope
• Develop a comprehensive ministry action plan rooted in vision, values, an
intentional discipleship system, and clear goals to strengthen missional
impact
• Deepen their practice of cultural competence, radical hospitality, and faith
sharing, introducing new people to Christ with authenticity and grace
• Experiment with collaborative ministry models that expand reach and
enhance mission effectiveness.
• Apply proven best practices that foster congregational vitality and
transformative witness
Leadership Development
• Develop and nurture a network of leaders skilled in the coach approach,
cultivating their capacity to accompany others with wisdom, curiosity, and
empowerment. In consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries,
deploy these leaders to offer coaching support to churches, ministry team,
clergy, and laity as they engage in ministry initiatives and strategic
discernment.
• Shepherd the creation of courses for the Portico Online Learning Platform in
collaboration with the Director of Connectional Ministries. Design a strategy for
meaningful engagement across the Annual Conference that ensures
accessibility, relevance, and spiritual depth – equipping leaders wand
congregations for faithful innovation and growth.
• Resource congregations and clergy for fruitful pastoral transitions, in
consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries. This includes
preparing congregations for Cross-Cultural/Cross-Racial appointments,
onboarding clergy with clarity and care, and cultivating clergy cohorts that
foster connection, resilience, and shared learning.
• 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.
