Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) is an intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults who seek opportunities to learn and grow in an academic community of faith. The University provides the context for a transformational experience through excellent academics, service opportunities, caring relationships, and a nurturing spiritual and social environment. Faculty, staff, and students are challenged to achieve their highest potential, to become increasingly Christ-like and to make a difference in their world through lifelong service.

The University seeks a full-time (12-month) Vice President for Spiritual Life and Church Relations (VPSLCR). The VPSLCR reports to the President of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and is appointed in consultation with the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. The VPSLCR must be committed to the spiritual growth of the entire campus while building and maintaining the relationship between the University and East Central Region for the Church of the Nazarene. The VPSLCR will represent the University at district assemblies, pastors’ retreats, and other events as needed. The VPSLCR will also help build a strong and inclusive spiritual life while establishing relationships with the churches and the Church globally to provide mission opportunities for students. A full complement of benefits is provided including a health care plan, retirement plan, and tuition assistance (for self and dependents). The candidate will also receive generous holidays, and vacation and sick days earned on an accrual basis.

Responsibilities include:

Work in partnership with the President and the Spiritual Life Team:

• Serve as the Chaplain
• Provide a spiritual plan for the campus
• Establish and work with the President to set a strategic plan for Chapel on a yearly basis
• Build and create a vision in connection with the President’s Cabinet and principle academic units for Spiritual Life and Church Relations
• Work collaboratively with Student Life to ensure students’ needs are being met
• Actively be a campus resource for programs, services, and spiritual needs for the entire University

• Conduct campus trainings for spiritual formation

• Lead and manage Music groups from university
• Develop and lead co-curricular efforts in correlation with principle academic units
• Manage and lead mission opportunities to serve the East Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene and the Global Church alike
• Create and manage service-learning opportunities for students locally and throughout the state of Ohio
• Review and assess current programming in the Spiritual Life Department
• Manage and lead the overall functions of the Spiritual Life Department
• Work with the Counseling Center to ensure students’ needs are being met
• Build relationships with local churches across the region
• Manage and lead Church Relation events
• Serve on the President’s Cabinet
• Provide operational management of communications and partnerships with the Churches on the East Central region at conferences, district, and general church levels
• Strengthen the ties to the districts found on the East Central region as well as other ecumenical and interfaith leaders
• Design and provide oversight to communication strategies that focus on the Church of the Nazarene on the East Central Region
• Build strong relationships with all levels of employees, management, and community leaders
• Build and support an engagement with Churches through regular forums crafted to hear from them about their needs and provide insights regarding the value the church brings to the University
• Ensure and support engagement with existing partners through regular forums crafted to hear from them about their needs and provide insights into the efficiency and health of partnerships from the partner’s perspective.
• Interview all prospective employees to ensure mission fit
• Manage the budget for the Office of Spiritual Life and Church Relations
• Assist to maintain a clean and welcoming environment for students in the Chapel

Qualifications needed:

• Ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene
• Master’s degree required
• 15 years of successful ministry experience
• Demonstrated effectiveness in ministry in growing a Church
• Strong musical skills
• Demonstrates effective, creative, and visionary problem solving skills
• Strong administrative and communication skills
• Disciplined approach to decision-making
• Disposition of bridgebuilder and connector
• The ability to build a spiritual life department and ministry that is congruent with the Church of the Nazarene along with teamwork with multiple departments across campus to bring co-curricular programing to the forefront of the academic and spiritual life of all MVNU students
• An understanding of Christian higher education combined with the ability to articulate the mission and vision of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and the value of its education within the broader higher education context
• Wisdom in navigating relationships within the Church of the Nazarene and beyond
• Must be able to travel at least 30% of the time
• A natural coach and mentor with an ability to champion relationships with all levels of teams, to relate well with other, listen effectively, and help employees and students at all levels achieve their goals.
• Strong demonstrated transformational and complex, matrixed leadership skills
• Experience in managing multiple complex projects involving multiple customers, interests, and goals

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by an individual assigned to this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of the position.

To ensure full consideration for this position, please email a letter of interests, a resume/vita and at least four (4) references to the President of the University at President@mvnu.edu Applicants submitting materials via email should attach either a Microsoft Word or .PDF File. Alternatively, materials may be mailed to:

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Dr. Carson Castleman

800 Martinsburg Road

Mount Vernon, OH 43050

Professional and personal references are required, consistent with the responsibilities associated with this position. A background check will be performed prior to appointment. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is committed to fostering a non-discriminatory campus environment in which community members can learn and work. MVNU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, disability, marital status, or military service in the operation of all University programs, activities, and services.  As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination. The University maintains the right, with regard to its lifestyle covenant, employment, and other matters, to uphold and apply its Christian beliefs related to, among other issues, marriage, sex (gender), gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual activity to the fullest extent permitted by law. Thus, MVNU attempts to make all policies and decisions within the doctrinal and moral convictions of the Church of the Nazarene (e.g., Articles of Faith, Covenant of Christian Conduct including the Statement on Human Sexuality and Marriage, Covenant of Christian Character, and the Statement on Discrimination, 915).

About Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) is a Nazarene teaching university located in the Wesleyan-Holiness theological tradition for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults who seek opportunities to learn and grow in an academic community of faith. Mount Vernon Nazarene University has an increasingly diverse and global student body of over 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students and provides the context for a transformational experience through excellent academics, service opportunities, caring relationships, and a nurturing spiritual and social environment. Faculty, staff, and students are challenged to achieve their highest potential, to become increasingly Christ-like and to make a difference in their world through lifelong service. Application Procedure: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, early application is strongly advised. Applicants are required to apply through http://mvnu.edu/jobs or submit application materials via email as Microsoft Word or .pdf file attachments. Email: humanresources@mvnu.edu Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background che...ck including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification and criminal background check. Mount Vernon Nazarene University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or military service in administering its employment policies and practices. As a religious educational institution under the auspices of the Church of the Nazarene, the University is permitted by law to consider religious beliefs/practices in making employment decisions and does so to achieve its mission. The University requires as a condition of employment that all employees subscribe to standards of the Church of the Nazarene and conduct their lives in accordance therewith.

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