Faithful Innovation Lead

Overview

The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (“A Corp”) “PC(USA)”, based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God’s love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of national entities: the Presbyterian Life & Witness, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, Investment and Loan Program, and the Administrative Services Group.

Basic Commitment: This position calls for a commitment to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as noted in its theological confessions, the Book of Order, and the actions of the General Assembly.

Position Overview: 

The Faithful Innovation Lead plays a critical role in cultivating the conditions for a thriving, future-oriented Presbyterian church. This role provides leadership and coordination across four interconnected ministries: 1001 New Worshipping Communities, the Office of Innovation, Futuring, and Discernment, Vital Congregations, and Mid Council Grants. Together, these areas represent the agency’s commitment to growing the church in ways that are rooted in faith, responsive to context, and oriented toward who God is calling the church to become.

The role requires a deep commitment to the mission and polity of the PC(USA), the ability to hold theological imagination alongside practical execution, and the relational capacity to build partnerships across a diverse and geographically distributed denomination. The Faithful Innovation Lead works cross-functionally with colleagues across PL&W, mid councils, and external partners. 

Roles and Responsibilities

* Provide oversight and direction for the four, interconnected, Faithful Innovation ministries while developing the area of Faithful Innovation into a more cohesive resource for mid councils and worshipping communities at every stage of life (new worshipping communities, established congregations seeking innovative expressions of being the church in the world, support for mergers and closings etc…)

* Partner with colleagues in Thriving Mid Councils and PL&W Leadership to set strategic direction for faithful innovation across the denomination fostering an ecosystem in which new communities of faith and existing communities of faith can intersect and flourish together

* Directly supervise staff within each of the four portfolio areas, providing clear direction and consistent support to build a team rooted in God’s creativity and PL&W’s organizational values.

* Cultivate and steward partnerships with external organizations, innovators, and practitioners who can resource and expand the church’s capacity for faithful experimentation
* Work with staff and partners to develop grant evaluation frameworks that reflect both programmatic outcomes and missional faithfulness

* Consult with mid councils and PC(USA) partners to ensure that national innovation initiatives emerge from and are responsive to the realities and leadership of local contexts

Key Competencies

* Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to build structure in a new and evolving department
* Nimble, adaptable approach to problem solving and decision-making
* Commitment to inclusion, intercultural competence, and accessible communication
* High level of accountability, integrity, and professional judgment
* Lead with vision and competence in the congregation/mid council lifecycle

Requirements

Education: Master’s of Divinity or equivalent combination of theological education and experience.

Required Skills: 

* 8-10 years of experience in ministry leadership, denominational work, 
* Familiarity with mid council work
* Deep familiarity with PC(USA) polity, culture, and the landscape of mainline Protestant ministry
* Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing complex, multi-faceted portfolios
* A theological imagination that can hold the tension between rootedness in tradition and openness to what is new
* Strong facilitation, discernment, and collaborative leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with new church development, church planting, or congregational vitality initiatives
* Proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English
* Familiarity with innovation frameworks, design thinking, or futures thinking methodologies
* Experience with grant writing and management

Helpful Skills:

* Have a deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial ethnic inclusiveness. Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view. Able to relate well to people from all walks of life and of varying theological perspectives. 
* Ability to speak one or more languages other than English very helpful

Physical Requirements

* Office-based or hybrid work environment. 
* Sight and hearing are required. 
* Ability to use the computer for extended periods of time. Ability to communicate via telephone, via Zoom, and other computer technologies.

Additional Information/Benefits:

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues.

PC(USA) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including 

* Defined Pension Plan
* Medical
* Dental
* Vision
* Basic Life Insurance
* Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
* Flexible Spending accounts 
* 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan 
* Vacation Days 
* Sick Days 
* Paid Holidays

PCUSA Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, including gender identity and sexual orientation.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the glo