Coordinator, Curious Christian Children: Reimagining Kids in Worship

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.

About the position

Grounded in our purpose and priorities, the Christian Community and Leadership (CCL) home area helps the ELCA reach and engage new, younger, and more diverse people, welcoming them into the Christian faith. To this end, we will energize and engage our core membership and work with the whole of the ELCA to recruit, develop and deploy the leadership, both lay and rostered, that the church needs to fulfill its purpose of spreading the gospel and building the church.

This position is aligned to work closely with the Program Director for Curious Christian Children to successfully implement program activities to execute the Lilly Funded work, Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative: “Curious Christian Children: Reimagining Kids in Worship.” This person will assist in recruiting cohorts and collaborating with ministry partners; performing ongoing evaluation, analysis and reporting of cohort experiences; aggregating materials and developing sharing platforms. This position requires a strong administrative background and excitement for implementing innovative and child-focused ideas. 

This is a part-time (20 hours/week), term contract (ending 1/31/2029), non-exempt, remote position. 

 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. 

1. Assists Program Director, Curious Christian Children in recruiting cohorts, collaborating with ministry partners, and consultations. 

2. Aggregates materials and develops sharing platforms for cohorts and other practitioners.

3. Performs ongoing evaluation, analysis and reporting of cohort experiences.

4. Coordinates and creates social media posts and other communications for the Curious Christian Children Initiative.

5. Organizes in-person and virtual events for participants.

6. Submits contracts, grants, and expense processes within the Churchwide Organization’s enterprises systems.

7. Performs other duties/ responsibilities as required.

1. 2+ years of experience in a related field.

2. Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to attract and work collegially and collaboratively with a diverse population both inside and outside of the workplace to present, motivate, communicate, and engage effectively both verbally and in written form. 

3. Proven success with administrative tasks.

4. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA.

5. Ability to relate to multiple constituencies within the church.

6. Experience using or willingness to learn Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.), Canva, social media applications, grant facilitation and accounting software.

7. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

8. Experience with ELCA worship and/or children’s ministry a plus.

Physical 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel 

Position requires minimal travel by car and plane. Valid driver’s license required. 

Benefits 

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact People Solutions (HR).

Salary 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.