Church of the Brethren congregations
- Pastoral/staff openings (many locations)
Church of the Brethren denominational positions
- Buildings and Grounds Assistant (Elgin, IL)
The Church of the Brethren is seeking a Buildings and Grounds Assistant for the General Offices in Elgin, Illinois. This part-time, 20-hour weekly position and reports to the Director of Buildings and Grounds.
Perform custodial services for the General Offices. Provides support on services such as room set-up, mail, supplies, equipment, maintenance, warehouse operations and other duties as assigned by the Director of Buildings and Grounds.
Key performance accountabilities
- Maintain a high standard of safety, cleanliness, and efficiency.
- Performs custodial services at the General Offices, at the direction of the Director of Buildings and Grounds (Cleaning building floors and restrooms by using the floor scrubber machine, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, etc.).
- Sort all incoming mail to the General Offices, including incoming package deliveries.
- Deliver mail and packages within the General Offices, on days the building is “open”, and staff are present.
- Assist with room set-up, as directed by the Director of Buildings and Grounds.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Buildings and Grounds or Executive Director of Organizational Resources and the General Secretary.
Skills and knowledge required:
- Able to relate with integrity and respect within and beyond the organization.
- Knowledge and experience in building operation and facilities management.
- Knowledge in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical helpful, but not required.
- Able to access, input, and retrieve information from the computer.
- Skilled in oral and written communication.
- Work with minimal supervision.
At least five years of Buildings and Grounds operations experience helpful but not required.
High School diploma or equivalent required.
This position is located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Illinois.
Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates may send a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org.
- Office Assistant for Discipleship and Leadership Formation (Elgin, IL)
The Church of the Brethren is seeking an Office Assistant for Discipleship and Leadership Formation. This part-time, 20-hour weekly position is located at the General Offices in Elgin, Illinois, and reports to the Executive Director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation.
The major responsibility is to enhance and support the functions of the Discipleship & Leadership Formation Department by assisting the department’s administrative assistant in a variety of tasks.
Office Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the Discipleship and Leadership Formation Administrative Assistant.
- Assist the Discipleship and Leadership Formation staff by offering administrative support to a variety of directors and projects.
- Assist in serving as a liaison between DLF directors and district offices/staff.
- Assist in offering hospitality when we are hosting events in our Elgin headquarters for outside guests.
- Assist in data processing and database updates for DLF departments.
- Assist in preparing and sending letters and email correspondence on behalf of the DLF directors.
- Assist in record keeping and processing financial grants and statements for DLF programs.
- Help in keeping the denomination website up to date as it pertains to DLF ministries.
- Assist in keeping the DLF’s department calendar, keeping in view the yearly, bi-annual, four- and five-year events our directors oversee.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Excellent administrative, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Able to work in a multi-task and shifting priority environment with minimum supervision.
- Mature in judgment and character, a self-starter, adaptable to change, and works well under pressure.
- Able to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Personable and capable of developing excellent working relationships with denominational staff and ministers, district leadership and administrative staff, and various affiliated organizations.
- Skilled in computer applications with the capacity and willingness to learn new software applications.
Experience and Education: 1-2 years of office and/or administrative experience. Associate degree or commensurate education, life, and work experience required.
Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates are invited to send a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org.
- Manager of Brethren Press Operations (Elgin, IL)
The Church of the Brethren is seeking a Manager of Brethren Press Operations. The full-time, salaried position is located at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Illinois, and reports to the publisher of Brethren Press.
Brethren Press publishes curriculum, church resources, and books for congregations and individuals across the Church of the Brethren, a small denomination known for its commitment to peace, service, and discipleship.
The Manager of Brethren Press Operations is responsible for the functions of customer service, shipping, and management of the inventory and warehouse. This person works within a unit dedicated to the publishing and communication ministries of the church, and communicates frequently with other denominational staff, the wider church, and colleagues in other denominational publishing houses.
Skills and knowledge required: Ability to work with sales and inventory management systems and other computer programs used within Brethren Press, experience supervising people and systems, strong interpersonal skills and experience working well within a team, knowledge of the Church of the Brethren or ability to learn, and ability to articulate and operate out of the vision and values of the Church of the Brethren and to represent Brethren Press favorably in denominational and ecumenical settings.
Experience and education: Experience in management and sales, especially within the business of publishing and within a church setting. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Knowledge of the Church of the Brethren preferred.
Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates are invited to send a cover letter and resume to Human Resources at COBApply@brethren.org.
Church of the Brethren districts
- Director of Finance, Atlantic Northeast District
Part-Time Position: 15 hours per week
The Atlantic Northeast District is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Director of Finance. This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to the financial stewardship and ministry operations of our district.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Planning & Oversight
- Collaborate with the Treasurer and Stewardship Commission to develop the annual Ministry Investment Plan
- Track and analyze District financial statistics
- Conduct annual District financial reviews and quarterly staff ledger reviews
- Oversee annual review of special funds
Investment & Fund Management
- Work with Eder Financial to oversee investments and investment fund policies
- Serve on multiple Fund Committees including Barnabas, Seeds of Faith, Facilities Assistance Fund, and Helping Hands Benevolence Fund
- Serve as Staff Liaison to Germantown Trust Board and Bucher Meeting House Committee
Strategic Support
- Partner with the District Stewardship Commission on various initiatives
- Assist District Executive with legal matters related to District and Congregational properties
- Support Leadership Development with Stewardship Education programs
Meeting Commitments
Regular participation in Stewardship Commission meetings, Fund Committee meetings, Germantown Trust Board, District Board, District Conference, and other meetings as needed.Additional Opportunities
District staff members may represent the district at ministry functions and serve on various ministry- related subcommittees, providing opportunities for broader engagement and professional development.To Apply: Qualified candidates are invited to send a cover letter with a resume to The Atlantic Northeast District Office at pkontra@ane-cob.org
- District Executive Minister Positions, Middle Pennsylvania District
The Middle Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren seeks candidates to fill the roles of a three member District Executive Team, namely one ½ time district executive minister position and two ¼ time district executive minister positions. Applications for any of the positions are welcomed at this time.
The district is a coalition of 53 congregations in rural, small town and city settings. We seek a team that will share the responsibilities that foster the work of Jesus through our congregations.
Clarification: This team structure was suggested by interpretation of the results of a survey completed by church members in the District. However, the District Coordinating Team and the Search Committee have made clear that the intent is NOT to limit of the working of God in the process of finding effective leadership. In short, individuals feeling led to full time opportunities in District level ministry are still encouraged to apply. While a small majority of survey results suggested the team approach as a possibility, the District is still very open to full time or three-quarter time leadership within the limits of available compensation.
Members of the DEM team may work remotely or on location at the Middle PA District Office located in Huntingdon, PA. Compensation for the DEM team will be negotiated in reference to the denominationally recommended Salary and Benefits for District Executive Ministers. Travel is required both within and outside of the district.
RESPONSIBILITIES are outlined in the position description available upon request and will include, through the work of the entire team, the primary areas of:
- Pastoral/Congregational Transitions
- Pastoral Support
- Leadership Development with respect to calling and credentialing of ministers
- Consultations with congregations and throughout the district structure, and
- Management and administration of district staff and oversight of district finances.
These primary areas of responsibility serve to provide:
- Direction, coordination, management, and leadership of the district ministries, as authorized by the District Conference and implemented by the District Coordinating team (District Board).
- Work with the congregations in calling and credentialing ministers, and in the placement/call and evaluation of pastoral staff. Provide support and counsel for ministers and other church leaders, share and interpret program resources for congregations.
- An important link between the congregations and the district and denomination by working collaboratively with the Council of District Executives, the Annual Conference, appropriate denominational entities and their staff.
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
- Ordained through accredited program, minimum of Brethren Academy ACTS level training program; Master of Divinity preferred for ½ time position.
- Personal skills in organization, administration, and communication.
- Committed to the Church of the Brethren locally and denominationally and willing to work ecumenically.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Pastoral experience.
Interested and qualified persons may apply for any of these positions by sending a letter of interest and a resume to Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Director of the Ministry Office, via email at officeofministry@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three persons who are willing to provide a letter of reference. Upon receipt of the resume, the individual will be sent a Candidate profile that must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
- District Executive Minister Opening, Southern Pennsylvania District
The Southern PA District which includes 27 congregations seeks a district executive minister for a part-time position equal to approximately 30-35 hours per week. Compensation for the DEM will be negotiated in reference to the denominationally recommended Salary and Benefits for District Executive Ministers. Travel is required both within and outside of the district.
RESPONSIBILITIES are outlined in the position description available upon request and include these primary elements:
- Serve as the chief executive administrator and planning officer for the District and its Board;
- If and when necessary, delegating tasks and responsibilities to appropriate board commissions, individual board members or other skilled individuals;
- Be a Pastor to the pastors, building relationships with pastors and congregations: providing pastoral care, when needed;
- Maintain confidential files, including, but not limited to, pastoral, personnel, and congregational files;
- Direct and oversee the work of the administrative assistant;
- Monitor and direct the administrative tasks of the district;
- Liaise with the Stewards Commission, bookkeeper, treasurer, and District Board on the finances of the district, including providing input for the district’s annual budget;
- Direct and walk with congregations during any pastoral placement processes through to the calling of pastoral staff;
- Plan and conduct services of licensing and credentialing, assisted by the ministry commission, as needed;
- Liaise with the denominational Office of Ministry, Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, and Bethany Seminary, C.O.D.E., Annual Conference, General Secretary, CoB offices and agencies;
- Work with District Moderator, Moderator Elect, Program and Arrangements Committee, Personnel & Nominating Committee, and District Board in the organization and preparation of District Conferences;
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
- Ordained through accredited program, minimum of Brethren Academy ACTS level training program
- Personal skills in organization, administration, and communication
- Committed to the Church of the Brethren locally and denominationally and willing to work ecumenically
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Pastoral experience
Interested and qualified persons may apply for this position by sending a letter of interest and resume to Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Director of Ministry, via email at officeofministry@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three persons who are willing to provide a letter of reference. Upon receipt of the resume, the individual will be sent a Candidate profile that must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.