Program Director, Exploration; Vision Team – Leadership Development

Overview

Description

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world.

The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation.

We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries:
The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

The Office of the Presiding Bishop provides overall leadership and administration for the ELCA, chairs key assemblies and councils, guides the church’s bishops, leads ecumenical relationships and supports members as they live boldly in God’s Mission.

This position is part of the Exploration (formerly Vision) team within the office of the Presiding Bishop. This role provides leadership in the implementation of a donor-funded proposal that seeks to develop new, non-congregational, lay-led ministries that engage new people in a life of discipleship. This position works with the Exploration team and has primary leadership and responsibility for the identification of 300 leaders, resulting in the deployment of 100 new lay leaders to lead new ministries by 1/31/31.

This role works in collaboration with the wider Exploration working group (Research and Evaluation and Innovation) and other partners in the churchwide organization and seeks to discern the viability of lay ministry training models to grow the church’s capacity to reach unchurched and dechurched people.

This is a full-time, term-contract (beginning Spring 2026, ending 1/31/2027 and is renewable), exempt, Chicago-based/hybrid position. This role requires being in the office a minimum of 2 days/week and more as needed.

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.