Director of Ministry Innovation & Exploration

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

employer paid health premiums for em-

health and dependent care FSA’s

health savings account (HSA) with an A

life insurance

403b retirement plan

paid holidays

Job summary

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seeks a lead for the Innovation Unit’s Exploration team in Chicago. The role drives the creation of new, lay-led ministries and oversees donor-funded efforts to develop scalable models for ministry impact.

You will work with cross-functional teams to grow a broader church capacity for outreach, leadership development, and innovative ministry delivery while ensuring alignment with ELCA’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience directing a large program.
• Knowledge of ELCA structure, polity, and theology.
• Demonstrated leadership with adaptive leadership and human-centered design approaches.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development of 100 new ministries, including Gather and Fresh Expressions.
• Collaborate with Innovation Unit, Research and Evaluation, and partners to test scalable ministry models.
• Steward grants program to attract strong proposals and test five new ministry models.
• Coordinate with leaders to recruit, form, educate, and support new ministry leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Project management

Strategic planning

Coaching

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seeks a lead for the Innovation Unit’s Exploration team in Chicago. The role drives the creation of new, lay-led ministries and oversees donor-funded efforts to develop scalable models for ministry impact.

You will work with cross-functional teams to grow a broader church capacity for outreach, leadership development, and innovative ministry delivery while ensuring alignment with ELCA’s mission and values.