Associate Priest of Formation

Anglican Church in North America; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Church of the Cross Austin seeks an Associate Priest of Formation to mature and expand formation opportunities within the pastoral team. The role emphasizes developing groups, welcoming newcomers, and overseeing formation staff while affirming Anglican worship and liturgy.

The successful candidate will supervise staff, collaborate with leadership, and lead spiritual formation offerings such as Baptism preparation, J-Terms, and parish-wide courses, in alignment with ACNA and COTC values.

Qualifications

• Ordination or willingness to be ordained in ACNA
• 5+ years of parish ministry experience or equivalent
• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate formation programs
• Alignment with ACNA theology and COTC/diocese stance

Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral oversight and coordinate formation groups
• Lead newcomer welcome and essential classes
• Supervise and develop formation staff
• Develop spiritual formation offerings in parish life
• Lead men's ministry initiatives
• Preach, celebrate sacraments, and provide pastoral care
• Participate in executive leadership and church life events

Skills

Parish ministry experience

Supervisory experience

Pastoral leadership

Education

Ordained priest in ACNA or seminary degree

Job description

Position

Associate Priest of Formation – Status: Full-Time w/ Benefits

Church

Church of the Cross

Overview

Church of the Cross Austin (COTC) is a vibrant and growing Anglican church of over 300 regularly active participants (adults and children). Located in Northeast Austin, COTC draws from a wide geographic area with growing engagement with its immediate neighborhoods. As a nine-year-old church, COTC is marked by creative and missional energy, an invitational culture, and the growing development of structures necessary for sustained growth. Having recently purchased permanent property and more recently instituted a new rector, the church is well-positioned for growth and ministry in the future. The people of COTC are thoughtful, generous, and active, and engage enthusiastically in a variety of formation opportunities such as neighborhood groups and formation classes (J-Terms). We desire to deepen our life in Christ, our life together, and our presence to our neighbors.

The Role

As we mature, we are looking for an experienced pastor to continue developing our formation opportunities and serve as a key member of our pastoral team. A successful Associate Priest of Formation will be a disciple of Jesus who loves and obeys God (Mt 22:37-38; Lk 9:23), loves the church, and longs for more people to know Christ. Animated by developing staff and laity to live into their calling, this person is passionate about communities and individuals being formed into the image of Christ, and could be described as warm, creative, flexible, and eager to know and love those who are different from them. As a priest on staff, this person takes prayer seriously and has a heart for worship, including liturgical Anglican worship.

COTC Staff Values

• Humility & Collaboration: We want to work together, and value opportunities to learn from and serve one another
• Honesty & Reliability: We love laboring on a team where we can trust and depend on each other
• A Desire to Grow: We embrace that we are unfinished, and are eager to lean into opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Contending for Joy: We follow in the way of Jesus, who “for the joy set before him endured the cross” (Heb 12:2)

Primary Areas of Responsibility

• Neighborhood Groups: Providing pastoral oversight and support of group leaders, providing regular training and equipping. Building up groups as a place of consolation and transformation for the larger COTC community. Be the lead “face” of groups to the congregation
• Newcomer Welcome and Coordination: Work with the pastoral staff team to connect with newcomers, following up personally where appropriate. Assist the rector in leading COTC Essentials (Membership) Class and Newcomer Lunches
• Supervision: Supervise and develop other formation staff members, specifically Director of Children’s Formation and Director of Student Formation
• Spiritual Formation Opportunities: In conversation with the rector, take the lead on spiritual formation offerings and efforts in the life of the parish (e.g. Baptism preparation, J-terms, other course offerings, confirmation classes)
• Men’s Ministry: Give particular leadership to men’s ministry, including the men’s retreat and men’s discipleship gatherings
• Other duties as agreed upon and deemed necessary by the Rector

Priestly Participation

• Preaches, celebrates, & baptizes regularly, as discerned in conversation with the Rector
• Provides pastoral care and presence to the broader COTC community
• Serves on the executive leadership team, alongside the Rector, the Associate Priest of Care and Mission, and, where appropriate, the Director of Operations
• As a member of the staff team, leadership and participation are expected at significant moments in the life of the community, including: Fall Kick-Off, Parish Retreat, All Saints, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week/Easter, Pentecost, & Creation Care Camp

Qualifications

• An ordained priest in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), or has a seminary degree and is willing to be ordained in the ACNA
• Aligns theologically with the ACNA and our Diocese, as well as C4SO’s posture regarding women in leadership
• Wholeheartedly embraces the vision and values of COTC
• 5+ years of parish ministry experience, or equivalent
• Supervisory experience preferred