School of Ministry Director

School of Ministry Director (Full-Time)
Alliance Christian Fellowship (ACF)
Position Overview
ACF is launching a School of Ministry—a frontier training ground designed to form and send leaders for the unique spiritual landscape of Alaska.
We are seeking a School of Ministry Director who will build, lead, and cultivate this environment—guiding students not just through content, but through deep formation, Spirit-led leadership, and practical ministry experience to form students who deeply love Jesus and His church.
This is not a traditional teaching role. The Director will function as a facilitator, coach, and developer of people, helping students wrestle with truth, grow in calling, and step into leadership.
Vision, Mission, & Scope of School
Vision
For it be in Alaska as it is in Heaven.
Mission
We are a discipleship school—growing a generation of leaders who are:
Formed in Christ
Empowered by the Spirit
Choosing risk over comfort for the sake of the Gospel in Alaska
Scope
2-year program
Designed for part-time students (~25 hours/week commitment)
Integrates classroom learning, ministry placement, and leadership formation
What We’re Building:
The ACF School of Ministry exists to ensure every student leaves with:
A deeper life with Jesus and His Church
A solid theological foundation
Meaningful academic progress through:
30 hours of biblical and leadership coursework
Pathways toward:
Alliance Northwest (ANW) Licensing
Cross-denominational opportunities
Further theological education
Ministry formation that actively releases leaders into their calling
We partner with LEAD—a competency-based, flexible learning model designed for ministry leaders. This partnership provides:
Self-paced, mentor-guided development
Real-life ministry application over classroom theory
Formation of both character and competency
Ongoing training, development, and support for the Director from Lead
Key Responsibilities:
1. Program Leadership & Development
Launch and lead ACF’s School of Ministry from the ground up
Shape the student experience around formation, not just information
Oversee integration of:
LEAD coursework
ACF distinctives classes
Ministry placements
2. Student Formation & Coaching
Facilitate weekly environments where students:
Process content
Wrestle with theology and calling
Grow in identity and leadership
Lead through questions, not just answers
Provide consistent 1:1 coaching and feedback conversations

3. Ministry Placement Oversight
Collaborate with ACF staff to place students in ministry environments
Ensure placements are developmental and aligned with calling and gifting
Equip staff to coach and evaluate students effectively
4. Evaluation & Progress Tracking
Partner with staff and ministry leaders to assess student growth in:
Leadership capacity
Character and spiritual formation
Team contribution
Track academic and ministry progress through LEAD pathways
Provide structured feedback and encouragement
5. Culture Building
Create a culture marked by:
Hunger for Jesus
Risk-taking faith
Honest conversations
Growth through failure
Model a life of prayer, dependence on the Spirit, and relational leadership
What You’ll Facilitate (Not Create)
The Director will guide students through:
LEAD curriculum (biblical and leadership development)
Ministry placement experiences
Leadership labs and feedback environments
What You Will Create
While core teaching content is provided, the Director will design and build the environments where formation happens, including:
ACF Distinctive Classes (culture, mission, leadership) contextualized to ACF’s vision and Alaska’s unique ministry landscape
Spiritual formation rhythms (prayer, scripture, community) that are practiced, not just taught
Ministry placement evaluations in partnership with ACF staff that are intentional, developmental, and aligned with each student’s calling
Leadership labs and processing environments where students reflect, wrestle, and grow through real-time ministry experience
Coaching and feedback systems that help students develop in leadership, team dynamics, and spiritual maturity
Note: Teaching content is largely pre-developed. This role focuses on facilitation, formation, and coaching—but requires creating the environments and systems where transformation takes place.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Experience & Background
Strong theological foundation and understanding that aligns with Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination
5 years of experience in education, ministry leadership, or both
Background in adult learning environments (formal or informal)
3-5 years of experience developing people (students, volunteers, or leaders)
Open to candidates from diverse backgrounds including:
Educators and academic leaders
Ministry school or residency leaders
Pastors or ministry directors with a strong development focus
Non-traditional leaders with proven experience in formation and coaching
Core Competencies
Deep biblical and theological grounding that catalyzes engagement
Facilitator over lecturer
Skilled at asking questions that provoke growth
Strong in organizational leadership and systems
Able to navigate complex relational and developmental conversations
High emotional intelligence and discernment
Ability to integrate relationships, content, and coaching
Personal Characteristics
Deep, abiding relationship with Jesus
Spirit-led, prayerful, and grounded in Scripture
Passionate about raising up the next generation of leaders
Willing to take risks and pioneer something new
Self-aware of what they carry and impart to others
Year 1 Wins (What Success Looks Like)
By the end of the first year, the School of Ministry Director will:
Successfully launch the inaugural cohort of students
Establish a clear, repeatable weekly rhythm for formation, coaching, and facilitation
Build and implement a ministry placement system across ACF departments
Train and equip staff to effectively coach and evaluate students in placements
Ensure students are actively progressing through LEAD coursework and milestones
Develop a consistent evaluation framework for leadership, character, and team dynamics
Cultivate a strong, healthy culture marked by trust, growth, and spiritual hunger
Demonstrate measurable student growth in leadership, spiritual formation, and ministry readiness
A Day in the Life
While no two days are the same, a typical rhythm for the School of Ministry Director may include:
Morning: Personal preparation, prayer, and reviewing student progress across LEAD pathways
Midday: 1:1 coaching conversations with students—processing growth, challenges, and calling
Afternoon: Collaboration with ACF staff to align ministry placements and student development opportunities
Late Afternoon: Planning and preparing facilitation environments, reviewing curriculum, and shaping key questions for student engagement
Evening (select days): Facilitating student gatherings—leading discussions, cultivating community, and guiding formation moments
Throughout the week, you will:
Engage in meaningful conversations where students process real-life struggles and spiritual growth
Observe students in ministry environments and provide real-time feedback
Equip and support staff who are helping develop students in their placements
Track progress, celebrate growth, and address areas needing development
This role is highly relational, deeply formational, and requires both spiritual attentiveness and organizational leadership.
Why This Role Matters
This role is not just about running a program—it’s about building a movement of leaders for Alaska.
You will help shape people who:
Hear God’s voice
Live on mission
Lead with courage
Transform communities across our state
Join Us
If you are passionate about forming leaders, love building from the ground up, and are ready to invest deeply in people for the sake of the Gospel—this is your opportunity to help shape the future of ministry in Alaska.