Homer L. Goddard Chair in Transformational Church Ministry

Fuller Theological Seminary; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fuller Theological Seminary invites applications for the Homer L. Goddard Chair in Transformational Church Ministry to begin no later than September 1, 2027.

The holder will focus on practical theology, teaching in both traditional and online modalities, and will bridge scholarly reflection with ministry practice. The candidate should demonstrate a robust record in teaching, research, and mentoring students, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and will contribute to program development

Qualifications

• Degree requirements: M.Div. and Ph.D. in Theology or related discipline with scholarly achievement.
• Proven excellence in graduate teaching and practical theology.
• Evidence of research/publication bridging theology and ministry.
• Experience mentoring students and diverse contexts.
• Ability to develop programs and networks for transformational ministry.
• Commitment to inclusion and women's/ministry studies welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in practical theology within the School of Mission and Theology.
• Maintain an active research agenda bridging theory and practice.
• Mentor masters and doctoral students and contribute to formation.
• Develop programs and establish networks with churches and agencies.
• Promote inclusive excellence and diversity in theological education.
• Participate in faculty governance and Seminary service.

Education

M.Div. and Ph.D. in Theology (including Practical Theology, Theological Studies, Ministry) or related discipline

Job description

Homer L. Goddard Chair in Transformational Church Ministry
School of Mission and Theology

Fuller Theological Seminary invites applicants for the endowed Homer L. Goddard Chair in Transformational Church Ministry to begin no later than September 1, 2027. This position focuses on practical theology and transformational church ministry, with particular emphasis on teaching and learning that equips leaders for the church's mission and ministry in the 21st century.

The Chair will demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and the formation of students for ministry within and beyond the church. The position requires expertise in practical theology with proven capacity to bridge theological reflection and ministerial practice. Given Fuller's long commitment to preparing women for ministry and service in the academy, this will be a targeted search to locate a candidate with capacity and expertise to prepare the next generation of women with calling for ministry in the world. The successful candidate will engage in research and scholarship that informs practice and practice that informs scholarship, with demonstrated ability to form and shape practitioners for diverse church contexts.

Position Responsibilities

1. Teaching: Quarter system teaching load in traditional and online modalities within the School of Mission and Theology curriculum. Use of the seminary's designated online course management system (Canvas) is required. Faculty have a baseline threshold of 3 course load units per year that can be augmented each year in conversations with the Dean based on the position. Use of the seminary's designated online course management system (Canvas) is required. Develop and teach courses in public theology that engage diverse global contexts and voices. Teach core and elective courses in practical theology, with particular focus on teaching and learning in ministry contexts.
2. Research and Scholarship: Maintain an active research agenda that bridges theological depth with practical application. Publish scholarly work that demonstrates the integration of theological/missiological reflection with ministerial practice and transformational church ministry.
3. Student Formation and Mentoring: Mentor students in masters and doctoral programs (professional and Ph.D.), with demonstrated commitment to mentoring both men and women students and ordinands. Provide guidance in integrating theological education with ministerial formation.
4. Program Development: Contribute to building and strengthening theological/missiological programs, including developing relational networks with local churches, organizations, and agencies that support transformational church ministry.
5. Inclusive Excellence: Demonstrate cultural competencies and creative approaches that serve Fuller's culturally, ethnically, racially, and theologically diverse student body. Contribute to institutional efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in theological education.
6. Service: Participate in faculty governance, serve on seminary committees, and contribute to the broader mission of the School of Mission and Theology and Fuller Seminary.

Institutional Commitments

Fuller Seminary requires each faculty member to sign its Statement of Faith. Commitment to the evangelical and ecumenical heritage of Fuller Theological Seminary. See the Fuller Theological Seminary website.

1. Faith and lifestyle congruent with the mission of Fuller Theological Seminary as expressed in its Statement of Faith, Community Standards, and institutional commitments.
2. Commitment to theological education in the service of the local and global church, to shaping leaders for the church's mission and ministry, to the spiritual formation of students, and to supporting women and men in pastoral and other leadership positions.
3. Active involvement in a local congregation and significant experience in church ministry or on pastoral staff/team.
4. Disposition to work collegially in a diverse-multi-ethnic, multi-denominational, multiregional-seminary community. Demonstrated ability to engage diverse ecclesial traditions and emerging church expressions.
5. Commitment to thinking theologically/missiologically about, teaching, and practicing in ways that speak to established and emerging cultures in the twenty-first century.
6. Applicants who will add to the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity of the faculty are encouraged to apply. In light of our commitments to inclusion and equity, expertise in women's ministry studies, Black Church Studies, Latina/o theology, or Asian American theology and ministry is welcomed.

Qualifications

1. M.Div. and Ph.D. in Theology (including Practical Theology, Theological Studies, Ministry) or related discipline. Established record of scholarly achievement appropriate for an endowed chair position.
2. Demonstrated excellence in graduate-level teaching with proven ability to teach courses in practical theology, particularly in teaching and learning for ministry contexts.
3. Proven record of research and publication with ongoing research plans. Scholarly work should demonstrate capacity for scholarship that informs practice and practice that informs scholarship.
4. Experience in church ministry or on pastoral staff/team with demonstrated ability to form and shape practitioners for transformational church ministry.
5. Commitment to and proven record of mentoring both men and women students and ordinands, with evidence of cultural competencies and creative approaches in past work.
6. Competence and vision for teaching a diverse student body.
7. Proficiency in the use of classroom technology and online learning platforms.
8. Experience with building theological/missiological programs, including developing relational networks with local churches, organizations, and agencies.
9. Personal, academic, and/or professional development that enables effective service to the culturally, ethnically, racially, and theologically diverse male and female students of the seminary.
10. Position will be based primarily in Pasadena but serving the seminary broadly in its digital forward transformation of global impact.

Rank and Appointment Terms

1. Tenure-track position. Rank dependent on qualifications and experience (junior faculty invited to apply).
2. Twelve-month contract with sabbatical quarter every seventh quarter.
3. Teaching load: Full-time equivalent of six courses or at least 120 masters students per year on the quarter system. Faculty have a baseline threshold of 3 course load units per year that can be augmented each year in conversations with the Dean.
4. Start date negotiable but no later than September 1, 2027.

Additional Remarks

• Must be willing to abide by Fuller Community Standards
• Must be willing to sign Fuller's Statement of Faith
• It is preferred that the position be based in Pasadena or Houston, but other locations are negotiable. The successful candidate will serve the seminary broadly in its digital forward transformation of global impact.

Pay Scale

Salary range the seminary expects to pay: $88,000 - $90,000 annually USD

Contact information

Dr. Jeffrey F. Keuss, Dean

School of Mission and Theology

Fuller Theological Seminary

135 N. Oakland Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91182, USA

[e-mail]

Fuller Theological Seminary is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To the extent required by law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. As a religious institution, Fuller Theological Seminary is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees for certain positions on the basis of religion.