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GENERAL PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Minister for Congregational & Community Engagement will use their working knowledge of Intersectional theory to develop a strategic approach and curriculum towards mobilizing local congregations, from different contexts and with diverse embodiments and practices, in transformative community engagement rooted in discipleship and the traditions of the United Church of Christ. The purpose of this position is to build capacity among local churches to analyze and respond to complex realities with faithfulness and skill, particularly building capacity in cultural and community organizing across issues to which the Gospel compels us to act.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop a comprehensive and strategic approach and curricula, inclusive of short-term and long-term plans, for culturally homogenous or culturally divided settings of the United Church of Christ to encounter and process complex realities in the context of the scripturally based, progressive theology and justice commitments of the UCC.
- Resource and equip the local church with comprehensive and multidimensional tools of faith-based community and cultural organizing such that the local churches are able to engage and mobilize within their specific contexts across multiple issues of faith and justice in their congregations and communities.
- Create contexualized community and cultural organizing resources in collaboration with organizers, trainers and partners, with preference to rural and small congregations.
- Gather and nurture congregational and community leaders across difference church settings, physically and virtually, to expand capacity and build community and resilience.
- Collaborate and build creative partnerships across all church settings and ecumenically for creative direct action around specific advocacy campaigns.
- Build on the racial justice resources and curriculums of JLCM, particularly supporting white people in finding their agency in the struggle to dismantle white supremacy and use social location to leverage change.
- Represent JLCM and the National Setting of the UCC in all settings of the UCC, ecumenically, and in interfaith settings as appropriately related to this portfolio.
- Support the Faith INFO Team Goals, events and programs, such as the ongoing Manual on Church and Thursday’s For the Soul.
- Develop and maintain professional and courteous relationships with UCC national and conference staff, community and religious partners and other constituents; serves as a positive role model by exemplifying values which are consistent with the United Church of Christ.