Director of Discipleship and Evangelization

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Lili Schulte, Director of Catechesis and Communications, at communications@stmarydellrapids.org. More information can be obtained by calling (605)428-3990.

Position Title: DIRECTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP & EVANGELIZATION

Position Category: MINISTERIAL EXEMPT

Position Status: FULL TIME BENEFIT ELIGIBLE SALARY

Immediate Supervisor: PASTOR Department: PASTORATE

Location: DELL RAPIDS, SD – PASTORATE #9

General Introduction:

The Bishop of Sioux Falls is the visible head and source of unity in the particular Church entrusted to his pastoral care (CCC 1594). In a unique and visible way, he makes Christ’s mission present and enduring while functioning in his role as Shepherd of the Catholic Community. In order to fulfill his mission, the Bishop trusts chosen collaborators (clerics, religious and lay people) to share in the apostolic mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them. Each employee helps to extend the ministry of the local Pastor in particular ways as outlined in this position description.

Position Summary:

The Director of Discipleship & Evangelization, as a lifelong Catholic missionary disciple, gives direction to evangelization efforts in the Pastorate. The Director will incorporate a personal expression of the Bishop’s vision of being a lifelong Catholic missionary disciple through God’s love while attending to active parishioners, the inactive community and the unchurched and is therefore involved in the renewal and formation of ministries within the Pastorate, and outreach and welcome toward those not active or connected with the Church. Goals of the position include fostering conversion and growth in discipleship among the faithful, develop a welcoming and vibrant community, animate and equip parishioners to evangelize by witness, word and action and enhance communication within and beyond the Pastorate community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Evangelization and Discipleship:

• Using your personal experience of the Vision through God’s love, aid others in developing a personal relationship with God as the heart of their Catholic faith.
• Learn, understand, and utilize the Diocesan Pathway of Discipleship.
• Plan and coordinate adult inquiry and faith formation opportunities after guidance and leadership by the Pastor.
• Coordinate, lead or serve as resource to ministries of outreach, welcome and renewal.
  • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
  • Evangelization/Outreach initiative
  • New member welcome
  • Hospitality ministry
  • Baptism preparation and follow-up with families
  • Prayer Ministry
  • Religious Education to include confirmation retreat and sacramental preparation of the students.
  • Returning Catholics
  • Various faith sharing groups
  • Parish missions
• Collaborate with other parish ministries, Catholic parishes, and organizations to plan and implement strategies for the greater community.

Planning and Administration:

• Collaborate with pastor, other staff and appropriate councils and committees to articulate a vision for evangelization in the Pastorate.
• Plan and implement strategies to reach active parishioners, inactive Catholics, and the unchurched in the community.
• Assist and collaborate with other parish leaders to collect and analyze data for pastoral planning, e.g., parish census, needs assessment, interest surveys, or area demographic research.
• Evaluate programs to determine strengths, areas for improvement, and future needs.
• Assist and collaborate with other parish leaders on a program calendar, taking into consideration local events, seasonal and annual opportunities, and the master Pastorate calendar.
• Assist and collaborate with other Pastorate personnel and parishioner groups in the use of Pastorate facilities.
• Prepare and monitor the budget and maintain supplies for Pastorate evangelization, working to be the best steward of the funds entrusted to the Pastorate.
• Assist and collaborate with other Pastorate personnel to ensure Safe Environment requirements are met by all staff, volunteers and students.

Communication and Public Relations:

• Public speaking in small and large groups to include: conducting pre-speech research, outlining and writing speech scripts, rehearsing and perfecting speech delivery, answering questions, and follow up.
• Keep current on communications and technological trends and looks for opportunities to use this information to communicate effectively with the Pastorate family and local community.
• Collaborate with Communications Director to Promote programs and events using digital and print media, including email, website, bulletin notices, flyers, posters, social media, and diocesan and local newspapers.
• Review the Pastorate website on a regular basis to ensure information is current and correct. Assist the Communications Director with updates as needed.
• Collaborate in Pastorate communications, using multiple means (web, bulletin, newsletters, social media), to create engaging and creative content, enhancing communication with parishioners and with the public beyond.

Leadership:

• Utilize and lead a team in Evangelization and Discipleship efforts.
• Oversee all Faith Formation Directors to ensure they are following and executing the education of our catechesis students in the manner approved by the Pastor.
• Participate as an active member of the parish staff.
• Attend Pastorate, staff and other various meetings.
• Guide Pastorate committees in aligning efforts with the overall vision of evangelizing.
• Act as a resource person and initiate faith-building initiatives to promote and provide faith-building opportunities.
• Attend respective Diocesan and Pastorate workshops/programs, as needed.

Other:

• Visibly engaged at Pastoral events, a must.
• Foster positive public relations in and outside the parish/school.
• Create operating procedures for each aspect of the position.
• All other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Primary:

• Practicing Roman Catholic who possesses sound knowledge of the Catholic faith and of the Church hierarchy.
• Willingness and ability to effectively make known the Catholic Church’s teachings and the Bishop’s Diocesan Vision through the varied ministry activities expected of this position.
• Willingness and ability to act as a personal witness to the Catholic faith and religion by living both one’s professional and personal life in accordance with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, as embodied in the various documents of the Roman Catholic Church, including, without limitation, the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Theology, or another related field is required.
• A Master’s Degree in Theology or other related field or at least five years of professional experience and ongoing formal education is preferred.

Experience:

• Experience in training, delegation, empowering and supervision preferred.

Other Elements:

• Baptized, Confirmed and active Catholic required.
• Understanding and commitment to live the Vision of being a lifelong Catholic missionary disciple through God’s love.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep knowledge of Scripture, Catholic theology, spirituality, and psychology/methods.
• Familiar with Church documents relating to evangelization.
• Understanding of the dynamics of Christian conversion, faith development and disciple-making.
• Working knowledge in MS Office products.
• Professional working attitude and collaborative approach.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Ability to make decisions, attentive to details, and troubleshoot.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Job Conditions/Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, use hands; reach with hands and arms and the ability to lift 20 pounds.
• Close vision required for paperwork and computer.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard, monitor, and telephone.
• Ability to work flexible hours and days and/or evenings.
• Ability to travel on occasion.
• This role functions in an office environment and uses standard office equipment.