Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA
http://peace.MennoLink.org

Denominational Minister for Peace and Justice

Title: Denominational Minister for Peace and Justice (Interim)

Division/department: This position relates primarily to the Mennonite Church USA Denominational Ministry team, a collaborative, interagency team the purpose of which is to provide a coherent, seamless message to and resources for the conferences and congregations.

Function: This role provides consultation to congregations, area conferences, Racial/Ethnic associations and staff to develop and enhance the peace and justice witness of Mennonite Church USA within a missional church context. A second focus is to represent Mennonite Church USA peace and justice concerns beyond the Mennonite church and within the public and governmental spheres.

This position is one of high visibility within the denomination requiring strong relationship building skills with diplomacy and persuasiveness.

FTE:   .75

Relationships

Supervised by: Paula Killough, senior executive for Advancement for Mennonite Mission Network
Reports to: Lee Lever, director of denominational ministry, Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership
Consults with: Director of Mennonite Church USA on delegate resolutions and advocacy issues
Works with: Peace and Justice Support Network

Responsibilities

  1. Lead and organize prophetic witness and peace and justice advocacy on behalf of Mennonite Church USA
    • Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
    • Listen to the concerns of members of Mennonite Church USA. Discern the issues called to the attention of Mennonite congregations and delegates.
  2. Coordinate interdenominational relationships concerning peace and justice issues.
    • Consult on denominational board appointments to Mennonite-related peace and justice organizations.
    • Represent Mennonite Church USA in national or religious coalitions
    • Serve on the Steering Committee of Christian Peacemaker Teams
  3. Work with denominational ministers and other churchwide staff to integrate peace and justice concerns throughout Mennonite Church USA.
    • Serve as staff for the Peace and Justice Support Network and the Peace and Justice Partnership Council
    • Attend Executive Board and other agency board meetings as necessary
    • Manage Student Aid Fund for non-registrants.
  4. Guide and coordinate communication, advocacy and resources to the church and the world.
    • Ensure a peace and justice presence at Mennonite Church USA churchwide conventions.
    • Plan and coordinate resources such as newsletters, funding appeals and an effective web presence with communication staffs.
    • Work with the Executive Board in following through on peace-and-justice-related resolutions from the Delegate Assembly.
    • Coordinate Mennonite Church USA response to national times of turmoil with communication staff.
  5. Demonstrate Christian commitment and the spirit of the Mennonite Church USA to coworkers and constituency.
    • Contribute positively to corporate spiritual life and Mennonite Church USA values by participating in agreed upon staff meetings.
    • Nurture one's Christian life to God's spirit and call by participating in a local congregation.
  6. Demonstrate commitment to Mennonite Church USA goals of anti racist action.
    • Embrace diversity in relationships, innovation and learning.
    • Help lead in developing and implementing anti-racist guidelines for the Denominational Ministry Team.
    • Network enthusiastically and appropriately with Racial/Ethnic constituents, building positive relationships between them and the church.
    • In a similar manner, demonstrate commitment to the additional Mennonite Church USA missional church priorities of global connections, leadership development and holistic witness.

Organizational Fit

  1. Passion for and about God's reconciling mission to the world.
  2. Embraces and lives the values of Mennonite Church USA and supports an environment in which these values flourish.
  3. Committed to Jesus Christ and active in a local Christian congregation.
  4. In harmony with Anabaptist belief and practice.
  5. Committed to denominational and agency goals of anti-racist action. Has received anti-racism training,

Skills/Qualifications

  1. Passion for and skills in working with peace and justice in the national, international, and denominational arenas.
  2. Proven ability to forge trusting, productive and effective relationships in all areas of work.
  3. Is a collaborative leader; understands and acts strategically out of a sense of interdependence with agencies and the church.
  4. Able to forge effective, productive and trusting relationships.
  5. Exceptional communicator, proven gifting in diplomacy, persuasion, and intuition
  6. Understands and supports Mennonite Church USA structures.
  7. Committed to Denomination Ministry Team collaborative purpose and to full participation in the team, while also relating to Mission Network supervisor and Executive Leadership team leader.
  8. Has proven capabilities in teaching, group leadership, and group dynamics.
  9. Familiar with organizational theory and models and able to understand the implications of various organizational patterns.
  10. Has prior experience in organizational leadership.
  11. Has prior cross-cultural work experience.
  12. Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to adapt to ideas of others.