Apply for Director of Faith in Action

The Director of Faith in Action leads the social ministry programs of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, ensuring that the congregation’s calling to serve the world is expressed in organized, well-resourced, and measurable ministry activity. This position provides staff leadership to the Community Outreach Committee, direct operational support to active outreach programs and community partnerships, and strategic stewardship of the congregation’s outreach financial resources.

The Director does not simply facilitate what others propose. This role is expected to proactively assess community needs, identify ministry gaps, cultivate relationships with community agencies, and bring forward-looking recommendations to the Community Outreach Committee and the Director of Faith Formation. The Director is accountable for the health, growth, and effectiveness of Lord of Life’s outreach ministry portfolio. This position reports to the Director of Faith Formation.

Areas of Responsibility
The Director of Faith in Action is accountable for the following five areas:
• Community Outreach Program Leadership & Evaluation
• Weekly Meals Oversight
• Community Agency Relationships & Synod Engagement
• Financial Stewardship & Budget Management
• Congregational Engagement & Communication

Community Outreach Program Leadership & Evaluation
The Director is the primary staff leader for Lord of Life’s active community outreach ministry programs. This means more than attending meetings and passing along information-the Director is accountable for ensuring that each program is well-led, adequately resourced, regularly evaluated, and aligned with the congregation’s mission and the real needs of the surrounding community.
Weekly Meals Oversight
The Director provides direct operational oversight to the meals portion of Lord of Life’s weekly Music, Meals, and More ministry. The Director is responsible for ensuring that meals are appropriately planned, budgeted, and executed by well-trained volunteers.
Community Agency Relationships & Synod Engagement
The Director is Lord of Life’s primary relationship holder with the external community of social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and synod partners. These relationships are strategic ministry assets, they expand the congregation’s reach, multiply the impact of its resources, and open doors for service that no single program can create on its own. Maintaining them requires intentionality, consistency, and follow-through.
Financial Stewardship & Budget Management
The Director is accountable for the responsible stewardship of all outreach financial resources, including the Outreach operating budget and other designated outreach funds (i.e. temporary restricted funds, funds designate by the Mission Endowment Fund, and others). This is not an administrative task; it is a ministry responsibility. How the congregation deploys its outreach dollars reflects its values, and those decisions require careful process, documented rationale, and consistent reporting to leadership.
Congregational Engagement & Communication
The Director is responsible for ensuring that the congregation knows, understands, and is actively invited to participate in the outreach ministry of Lord of Life. Ministry that is invisible to the congregation cannot grow in volunteers, financial support, or engagement. The Director is accountable to make outreach visible, compelling, and accessible to every member.

Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to social ministry, community service, and the ELCA’s approach to outreach and justice.
• Knowledge of local, county, state, synod, and ELCA resources that support social ministry and community engagement.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple active programs, relationships, and deadlines independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce reports, proposals, and meeting materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic database tools; ability to learn REALM or similar church management software.
• Self-directed and proactive; able to identify needs and act without waiting for direction on every decision.
• Collaborative; able to work effectively with staff, volunteers, committee leaders, and community agency partners.
• Ability to engage and equip others to use their gifts in ministry rather than centralizing all work in the Director.
• Active Christian faith and a personal commitment to the mission of Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
Preferred
• College education in social work, nonprofit management, ministry, or related field.
• Experience in nonprofit program management, social services, or church outreach ministry.
• Familiarity with grant research and fund management.