Church Ministry Fellow

The Church Ministry Fellow will be responsible for assisting the director and assistant director with the execution of the research and theological reflection portions of the Thriving Congregations grant.

The person in this position will need to represent the best of Florida Memorial and its programs positively and energetically in the community and should be rooted in a local Christian faith community.

This grant-funded project has four primary goals: 1. To select churches that will participate in the program provided by the grant; 2. To create full-day sessions with nationally recognized leaders for formation and theological reflection; 3. To create a team and system for research to take place in 20 churches yearly; and 4. To create a pathway for theological reflection and pastoral research as a result of the entire project.

Essential Functions:

The work of the Ministry Fellow will involve about two church engagements each week, four church service visits monthly, and two scheduled weekly meetings with the program director and assistant director. The Fellow can work remotely unless they are scheduled for a site visit. The position will require flexibility during evenings and weekends. The responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for assisting with the scheduling and organizing of church visits and ministry research engagement.
• Responsible for facilitating the research process with 20 churches yearly, which includes surveys, facilitating focus groups, and conducting research analysis conversations.
• Participate in conducting scholarly research on topics identified as important and relative to specific congregations.
• Participate in the execution, summarization, and reporting of survey results
• Participating in practical theology work, using Osmer's Practical Theology principles, with cohort pastors and their leadership teams.
• Responsible for write-ups of the findings, goals and planning, and evaluation of the implemented strategies. Responsible for assisting church leaders in replicating the process with another ministry of their choice and guiding them with the portfolio/presentation.
• Participate in writing up volunteer summaries with all feedback after visits.
• Responsible for identifying and suggesting resource material on the monthly topics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and adaptability to a changing environment is extremely important as well as dependability.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Minimum Requirements:

• The person in this position will need to positively and energetically represent the best of Florida Memorial and its programs in the community.
• The person in this position will hold a master's degree in theology, ministry, or a related field of study.
• Possess an understanding of the Black and Brown church world, including their differences, similarities, and operating practices.
• At least five years of office experience preferred.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule that may include working nights and weekends. (if applicable)

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Criminal background check

Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.