The Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship is responsible for assisting the pastor with the overall evangelization and ministry efforts in the parish to ensure that everyone in the parish may encounter Jesus Christ and deepen their commitment to Him and His Church. The scope of the role is to support, accompany, equip and lead the lay leaders in discerning, designing and implementing evangelization and ministry efforts. The director is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and ongoing improvement of the evangelization and faith formation initiatives and will be responsible for managing/supporting ministry leasers and volunteers. The director must demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills necessary to identify, develop, and retain a fully formed and well-functioning staff and volunteer teams critical to the success of parish initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
• Collaborate with the Pastor and others on discerning the vision that best enables the parish to offer ways for all parishioners to encounter Jesus Christ, be formed as disciples and practice missionary discipleship.
• Design and direct the practical steps to implement the pastoral vision focused on making disciples, building communities, and inspiring witness through integrated evangelization and ministry initiatives.
• Assist the pastor with the implementation of the strategic plan for parish mission and vitality and ensure that parish ministries are aligned with it.
• Oversee the ongoing Implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults with the goal to achieve a year-round program.
• Collaborate with the Pastor and other staff members when necessary in implementing both ongoing adult educational/formational opportunities, shorter-in duration opportunities and also single-time events.
• Implement the sacramental preparation of students receiving their First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation in collaboration with the pastor, catechists and teachers.
• Direct the planning and execution of formation programs, coordinating with catechists and families, and ensuring that all religious education programs and sacramental preparation aligns with the teachings and pastoral vision of the Catholic Church.
• Direct the recruitment, training and assessing of volunteers entrusted with leadership of the parish ministries.
• Collaborate with the Pastor and Director of Operations to develop an annual budget for the pastoral ministries.
• Collaborate with parish and school leaders from other local parishes to discern best practices for providing vital ministry to all people.
• Ensure that ministry complies with the guidelines for Protecting God’s Children for those who minister to children in accordance with the Archdiocese of Chicago policies.
• Direct special projects or ministries as requested by the pastor.
Job Requirements
• Experience in a parish that demonstrates ability to engage parishioners and non-parishioners in the process of evangelization and community building.
• Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of inclusion and to engender a spirit of hospitality and welcome.
• Demonstrated expertise in collaborating with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers.
• Ability to direct the work of team members and volunteers to drive key initiatives and programs.
• Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission and values.
• Comprehensive vision and expertise in evangelization and faith formation.
• Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment and sending forth.
• Mature discipleship evidenced in ability to comfortably witness to one’s own faith journey.
• Developed skills in leadership and management; strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with technology used for communicating and presenting.
• Open to ongoing formation / education as needed.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, collaborative, faithful, joyful witness, persistent, available, fair and balanced, dependable, person of integrity, sensitive to cultural, racial and ethnic diversity and openness to the needs of the parishioners.
• Ability to deal with multiple projects, flexible, sound judgment and comfortable with change.
Preferred Job Skills and Experience
• Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies, Theology, Faith Formation or equivalent.
• Two or more consecutive years as part of a parish staff.
Interested Candidates should contact:
Fr. Jerry Gunderson
Administrator
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Road
Lake Forest. IL 60045
847 234-1401
jgunderson@stpatrick-lakeforest.org
