Ai and Faith Program Director

Ministry Leadership Center - TN; Brentwood (TN); Remote; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry Leadership Center - TN seeks an AI and Faith Initiative Lead to design and administer The Shine Project, guiding programs that equip youth, ministry leaders, and congregations to engage artificial intelligence with theological depth.

The role partners with the Sr. Director of Next Gen Grants and Research and spans program design, grant oversight, and external engagement. Remote-friendly with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of ministry experience with youth and/or young adults.
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Master's degree in theology or related field (preferred).
• Genuine interest in AI, technology, and what it means to be human from a theological angle.
• Demonstrated experience designing and administering programs with strong organizational skills.
• Experience teaching and training ministry leaders.
• Track record of collaborating across teams to meet shared goals.
• Demonstrated relational networking capabilities with youth ministers, congregations, and partners.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Strong verbal and written persuasive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Shine Project program design and grant administration.
• Design and facilitate AI and Faith learning experiences (cohorts, summits, webinars, workshops).
• Coordinate curriculum development and educational resources with Sr. Director of Next Gen Grants and Research.
• Manage grant activity budgets, timelines, and operations.
• Serve as MLC's resident voice on AI and faith, tracking developments and ethics.
• Promote theological engagement with AI and meaningfully include youth in discussions.
• Build relationships with youth ministers, congregations, and denominational leaders.
• Develop recruitment strategies for practitioner cohorts and events.
• Represent MLC at conferences and ministerial gatherings; partner with Sales and Marketing to promote programs.

Skills

Ministry experience

Program design

Project management

Teaching ministry leaders

Cross-team collaboration

Networking

Staff supervision

Communication skills

AI & theology interest

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant field

Master's degree in theology or related field

Job description

Objective: Lead and administer MLC's AI and Faith initiatives through The Shine Project: A Practical and Prophetic Approach to AI and Faith, designing and implementing programs that equip young people, the ministry leaders who serve them, and their congregations to engage artificial intelligence with theological depth and faithful imagination.

Supervision: AI and Faith Program Director reports to the Sr. Director of Next Gen Grants and Research and works with all MLC staff to accomplish the MLC mission.

Responsibilities:

1. Program Design and Grant Administration
   • Lead the implementation of The Shine Project, overseeing grant activities, program timelines, budgets, and deliverables in alignment with the grant's objectives and commitments.
   • Design, coordinate, and facilitate AI and Faith learning experiences, including practitioner cohorts, young people's summits, judicatory leadership gatherings, webinars, workshops, practitioner cohorts, and other educational events.
   • Partner with the Sr. Director of Next Gen Grants and Research, collaborating across MLC departments to coordinate research-informed curriculum development, public learning opportunities, and educational resources.
   • Manage grant activity budgets, monitor program expenditures, maintain project timelines, and coordinate with administrative staff to ensure effective program operations.
2. AI and Faith Leadership
   • Serve as MLC's primary resident voice and organizational resource on AI and faith, staying current on developments in artificial intelligence, theology, ethics, technology safety, and youth and young adult spiritual formation.
   • Facilitate the development of and communicate a practical, theologically grounded approach to AI that equips ministry leaders and congregations to navigate the opportunities, challenges, and ethical complexities of emerging technologies.
   • Advocate and make space for the meaningful participation of young people in theological reflection and conversations about the ethical use of artificial intelligence within their communities.
3. Relational Networking and Recruitment
   • Build and sustain strategic relationships with youth ministers, college ministers, young people, congregations, judicatories, camps and conference centers, scholars, and organizations working at the intersection of AI and faith.
   • Develop and implement recruitment strategies for AI and Faith practitioner cohorts, summits, workshops, educational events, and other grant-funded initiatives.
   • Develop partnerships with denominational leaders, ministry networks, educational institutions, and other organizations to expand the reach and impact of The Shine Project.
   • Represent and promote MLC and its AI and Faith initiatives at conferences, denominational gatherings, ministry events, and other professional networking opportunities.
   • Collaborate with MLC's Sales and Marketing team to promote programs, communicate opportunities, and engage prospective participants and partners.
   • Cultivate ongoing relationships with MLC educational program alumni and ministry partners to encourage continued engagement, resource utilization, and the long-term sustainability of AI and Faith initiatives.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of ministry experience with youth and/or young adults in a church or non-profit setting
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field
• Master's degree in theology or related field (preferred)
• Genuine interest in and theological engagement with questions of AI, technology, and what it means to be human
• Demonstrated experience designing and administering programs, with strong organizational and project management skills
• Experience teaching and training ministry leaders
• Track record of collaborating across teams to meet shared goals
• Demonstrated relational network and networking capabilities
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers
• Proven strong verbal and written persuasive communication skills

Expectations:

• Gifts and passion for developing others
• Passion for the mission of MLC and alignment with our core values and statement of faith
• Commitment to a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Commitment to collaborative teamwork in a remote working environment
• Ability to gather in person with other staff members for strategic planning and relationship building at least twice a year.
• Regular travel will be required for hosting events, cohort gatherings, recruiting, and teaching

Location: MLC is a remote working environment with our operational office in Brentwood, Tennessee. We have staff located across the country.

Grant-funded position: This position is funded by a Lilly Endowment, Inc. grant through December 31, 2031.