Growth Animator – Prairies

Description

The United Church of Canada is seeking an individual to fill the role of Growth Animator for Prairie to Pine, Living Skies and Northern Spirit Regional Councils in the Organizational Development and Strategy Unit (ODS) on a permanent full-time basis (35 hours/week).

The Organizational Development and Strategy (ODS) Unit supports the General Council Office in the development, execution, and communication of its vision and strategic priorities. The unit helps shape the public face of The United Church of Canada, contributing to the denomination’s principled presence supporting bold witness in the public square and strengthening invitation to the church across the country and its ministries.  It assists in nourishing congregations, supporting regional councils, advancing the national program, and contributing to effectiveness of the church. The Unit houses the General Council Office planning function (strategic and operational), reporting and evaluation; a Communications Department of subject matter experts who ensure alignment in key messaging; and a Department of staff dedicated to the church’s overarching priority of Growth, who work with the regions to cultivate innovation, strengthen existing congregations toward transformation, and seed and grow new communities of faith. 

Position Purpose

Within the framework of the strategic plan, under the direction of the Director of Growth and Ministry Development, and working directly with the relevant Regional Executive Minister (or delegate), the Growth Animator plants, enhances, evaluates and connects new communities of faith, supports renewal efforts in existing ministries, and strengthens invitation to The United Church of Canada. Within Prairie to Pine, Living Skies, and Northern Spirit Regional Councils this will include focused attention on the circumstances and needs of rural ministry contexts.

The main areas of focus are:

1. Renewing Existing Communities of Faith;                                                                            45%

• Collaborate regionally with committees and staff dedicated to renewal efforts within the relevant region, and provide support, when assigned, to key regional or inter-regional specific renewal projects, particularly in relation to rural ministry;
• Encouraging and equipping communities of faith to engage in changes of vision, regeneration and new ministry. 
• Contribute to strategies and resources that span both new communities and renewal in existing communities, connecting communities and building collaborative partnerships as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively on stewardship development, and explore and promote sources of funding support for renewal in communities of faith;

2.         Seeding New Communities of Faith,                                                                                                        40%

• Receive proposals from within the relevant regions for new or emerging communities of faith;
• Provide ongoing support, consultation and evaluation to new communities of faith;
• Assess needs for financial support and help to identify and match with available regional, national, Foundation, or other resources beyond the church;
• Link regional growth initiatives to strategic national initiatives;
• Develop needed resources to support, promote and interpret church planting efforts;
• Invoke imagination and support for church plants through hosting events and making presentations, in many forms; 
• Assist in collectively celebrating the formation of new communities.  
• Collaborate and support one national thematic planting streams (e.g. online, communities of disability, francophone communities, migrant, intercultural, Indigenous, rural etc). 

3. Learning, Adapting, Innovating, Inviting                                                                                                        15%

• Stay abreast of best practices and emerging trends in fresh expressions, church planting, rural ministries, and church renewal;
• Engage with and integrate decolonial, intercultural and Equity, Diversity and Anti-Oppressive (EDA) practices;
• Assist the church with active experimentation, bold action and deep learning.
• Identify regional and community of faith opportunities to strengthen invitation to The United Church of Canada;
• Working with regional communicators, contribute to and help animate communication campaigns;

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Theology or community development education or its equivalent; 
• At least four years’ experience in ministry development, innovative congregational ministry, outreach or overseas ministry or education and community development with demonstrated skills in program development and project management;
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications;
• Knowledge of the life and work of The United Church of Canada together with experience working within the structure, policies and ethos; Membership would be considered an asset;
• Knowledge of rural contexts would be considered an asset;
• Recognition of personal and professional boundaries;
• An ability to relate policies and procedures to faith, and to reflect theologically on policy;
• A motivated self-starter capable of identifying the need for and taking independent action with the ability to work collegially and constructively within a staff team;
• Demonstrated facilitation, administrative, time management skills, and a collegial consultative leadership style with a commitment to a coordinated team approach with staff and volunteers;
• Good judgement as responsibilities can be difficult and complex and recommendations can have long lasting effects; openness to consulting with supervisor when no clear advice available;
• Solid computer skills, demonstrated ability to use various forms of digital communications and social media, and evidence of adaptive use of new technologies;
• Alignment with the vision and values of The United Church of Canada – respect, integrity, passion and diversity;
• Demonstrated capacity to embrace change, take risks, experiment, reflect, and adapt, and cultivate adaptation in others.

Working Conditions

This position may be nested in one or more regional council offices, may work from a home office, or may work from the General Council Office. In these situations, collaboration and partnership with unit staff is key. Occasional evening and weekend meetings and travel within the assigned region will be required.  They are responsible for their own timetable/work schedule and regular full accountability within the Unit staff team is required. Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.  Intermittent physical activity including sitting, standing, and lifting. Occasional overtime may be required. A willingness and ability to work and travel within the Region or to meetings across the church is required.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The United Church of Canada will aid employees who request accommodation throughout their employment with us, unless the position is deemed to be a bona fide occupational requirement and/or to the point of undue hardship considering issues of health, safety and cost.   

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $66,193.01 to $73,493 with the ability to progress to a maximum of $88,257.32. This is based on category 7 on our salary range. Placement on the salary range will be based on factors such as market condition, internal equity, candidate experience skills and qualifications relevant to the role. Pension and group benefit plans coverage and annual vacation round out this compensation package.

To Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume, quoting the job number to Human Resources e-mail: careers@united-church.ca