Director of PREACH Initiative

The Company:

For more than 175 years, Taylor University has been one of the most Christ-centered, student- focused universities in the world. Founded in 1846, Taylor is recognized as an institution that prizes student learning, celebrates intentional community, leads in the work of faith-learning integration, and stands as the oldest non-denominational school within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). For 26 consecutive years, Taylor has been ranked as one of the top three universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report and one of Americas Top Colleges according to Forbes. In addition, Taylor has been named a Christian College of Distinction with four notable strengths: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes.

The culture of Taylor is one of high collegiality, deep care, compassion, and shared Christian commitment. A new presidential administration has catalyzed a season of significant energy and excitement on campus. The University recently completed a yearlong strategic-planning process involving a wide spectrum of Taylors constituents, including students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni, trustees, administrators, donors, and friends. The resulting strategic plan, Taylor Thrives, is the distillation of thousands of hours of prayer, discussion, and revision and represents the very best thinking the extended Taylor family has to offer. The six priority pillars and 125 individual objectives it details will position Taylors campus, community, and mission to not only survive but thrive in the years ahead. We believe Taylor Thrives will move the University from excellence to eminence among our peers over the next five years. In short, this is an exciting time to be at Taylor.

The Position:

The Director of PREACH (Preparing, Resourcing, Equipping, And Coaching for Homiletical excellence) Initiative is a fulltime, grant-funded position that will work under Taylors Vice President for Spiritual Life and Intercultural Leadership to develop and implement all programmatic elements of PREACH. PREACH Initiative is an exciting new Taylor endeavor to resource the American church with compelling preachers for the future. The Director will serve as campus champion for PREACH and its components: the PREACH certificate (for practitioners) and Minor (for students), the PREACH lab, the PREACH MasterClass series, and the Joseph P. Blades Award for Excellence in Preaching. This position involves regular engagement with local & national churches, as well as cultivating relationships with leaders/preachers who are examples and role models of the power of compelling preaching. A preacher themselves, the Director of PREACH is also a teacher; he or she will spend time in both the pulpit and the classroom. Whether recruiting students, encouraging pastors, hosting preachers, or leading academic programs, the Director of PREACH will spearhead Taylors contributions to preaching excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with the Office of the Provost and the Chapel Office to develop curriculum for the PREACH Master Class series
• Identify thought leaders and distinguished preachers to invite to campus for Chapel opportunities and talkback sessions with PREACH Initiative participants, and coordinate their campus visits
• Develop and implement Master Class sessions
• Coordinate with key Taylor University Senior Leaders to develop, implement, and launch the PREACH Lab
• Teach 1-2 classes in the PREACH minor
• Recruit students and pastors into the PREACH minor and certificate
• Build and cultivate relationships with local churches and Christian leaders
• Speak regularly at churches, parachurch ministries, and related events
• Assist students and student organizations as they connect with churches (ex: TWO, Gospel Choir, Latino Student Union, athletic teams, etc.)
• Provide regular updates on church relation progress and projects to the VP of Spiritual Life and Intercultural Leadership
• Build relationships with church coordinators from other universities
• Develop, plan, and expand various programs (ex: the Joseph P. Blades Award for Preaching Excellence, a pastors conference, church matching grant program)

Qualifications:

• Firm commitment to consistent evangelical Christianity, possesses a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and must affirm Taylor Universitys Statement of Faith and Foundational Documents
• Demonstrated success, loyalty, and perseverance in previous work assignments
• Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task, thrive, and adapt to seasons of fast-paced, changing environments
• Significant cross-cultural intelligence and experience, as well as a proven desire to build bridges in both internal and external settings
• Bilingual, preferred
• Self-confident, takes initiative, detail-driven, and organized
• Masters Degree required, Doctorate Degree, preferred
• 7 years of experience in higher education or pastoral ministry
• Ordination from a recognized ministry/denomination

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary: $55k+
• Insurance Benefits: Health, dental, prescription medication
• Generous retirement plan with an employer contribution of 6%
• Tuition remission and continuing education opportunities available for Taylor employees & their dependents

Application Requirements:

To apply, lease provide the following:

• Updated resume
• Cover letter addressing the qualifications listed in this Opportunity Profile
• 1-2 page statement outlining your professional vocational experience
• 1-2 page statement of your spiritual journey