Dean Of Spiritual Formation And Connection

Description

Job Title: Dean of Spiritual Formation and Connection

Department: Student Services

Reports To: Vice President for Student Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Prepared By: HR/Vice President for Student Services

Prepared Date: May 28, 2025

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Serve as Chapel Coordinator by planning and organizing daily chapel programming aligned with the university's spiritual formation goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and guest speakers to ensure meaningful, doctrinally sound, and engaging chapel experiences.
• Manage student participation in chapel services (e.g., readers, song leaders, prayer leaders) and maintain a strong student voice in chapel planning.
• Develop and coordinate spiritual growth opportunities beyond chapel, including campus devotionals, small groups, worship nights, and Bible studies.
• Plan and support annual campus-wide spiritual events and retreats.
• Provide spiritual engagement and ministry support to student-athletes by attending practices, games, and team events.
• Offer team-specific Bible studies and partner with coaches to care for athletes' spiritual well-being, especially those from non-Christian backgrounds.
• Proactively connect with under-engaged students, particularly those not involved in clubs or social groups, by building relationships and offering inclusive programs.
• Host regular gatherings designed to foster spiritual community and belonging.
• Serve as a visible, relational presence in student life spaces across campus.
• Identify, train, and mentor student leaders for chapel and peer-based ministries, empowering them to lead spiritual initiatives.
• Provide spiritual counseling and support to students navigating challenges, faith struggles, or personal crises.
• Partner with Counseling Services and Student Life to identify students in need of spiritual care and intervention.
• Assist in administering chapel attendance technology and systems.
• Collect and evaluate data on spiritual engagement and program outcomes each semester to assess effectiveness and guide improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position may supervise student spiritual leaders, chapel assistants, or interns. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with university policies. Includes mentoring, training, planning, assigning tasks, and providing feedback.

Competencies

• Interpersonal Skills- Listens well, builds relationships across diverse populations, maintains confidentiality, and encourages student engagement.
• Oral Communication- Speaks clearly and warmly; presents ideas in chapel and group settings; responds effectively to questions and concerns.
• Leadership- Inspires and motivates students toward spiritual growth; mentors student leaders; builds collaborative partnerships across campus.
• Judgment- Makes sound decisions with empathy; involves the appropriate stakeholders in sensitive matters.
• Motivation- Passionate about evangelism and discipleship; driven to create inclusive spiritual opportunities.
• Professionalism- Represents the university and the church well; handles student concerns with integrity and discretion.
• Dependability- Follows through on commitments; available for evening and weekend activities as needed.

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Ministry or outreach experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, lead programs, and work with diverse student populations.

Language Skills

• Able to communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and the public.
• Able to prepare and deliver spiritual messages in chapel and other settings.
• Skilled in writing emails, devotionals, and promotional material for spiritual events.

Mathematical Skills

• Basic understanding of event and ministry budgeting, if applicable.

Reasoning Ability

• Able to respond to sensitive spiritual or emotional needs.
• Able to assess student engagement and adapt strategies to support spiritual growth.
• Able to coordinate with various departments and manage competing priorities.

Computer Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and chapel attendance systems (e.g., Quickly or equivalent).
• Willing to learn new technologies that support programming and communication.

Social Skills

• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do; adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk and sit.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is a dynamic mix of office, chapel, athletic, and student life settings. Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities are expected.

Freed-Hardeman University is an academic community, associated with churches of Christ, which is dedicated to providing excellent undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship, and service.

Pursuant to this mission and Section 703(e)(2) of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Freed-Hardeman University exercises a preference for applicants active within the churches of Christ. Freed-Hardeman University complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or prior military service in the administration of its employment practices.