Dean of Chapel and Spiritual Life

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Job description

Within the university’s Christian mission of concern for the whole person, the Dean of Chapel and Spiritual Life provides leadership in the spiritual development of students. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Dean of Chapel and Spiritual Life leads the Office of Spiritual Life to facilitate spiritual formation through programs that include chapel, worship, discipleship, and ministry opportunities. Understanding the unique context of spiritual development on a university campus, the Dean of Chapel and Spiritual Life emphasizes the value of community and welcomes the opportunity to serve a student body that comes from a diverse range of denominational backgrounds and cultural contexts. The Dean of Chapel and Spiritual Life models a faithful Christian life in complete agreement with the vision and mission of LeTourneau University.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Lead the Office of Spiritual Life and provide leadership and vision for campus-wide student spiritual formation.
    • Oversee the Office of Spiritual Life, including the Spiritual Life Coordinator and Missionary-in-Residence.
    • With the Spiritual Life Team, provide vision and direction for the various aspects of campus spiritual life.
    • Oversee and manage the budget of the Office of Spiritual Life.
    • Administer the Spiritual Life assessment plan, collecting, analyzing, and reporting assessment data in a timely way to the appropriate university offices.
  • Direct and lead Chapel/Convocation programming
    • Monitors and administers the mandatory Spiritual Formation Credit system.
    • Plan an integrated Chapel program each year and semester
    • Host Chapel speakers, including arranging transportation, housing, and meals.
    • Develop a chapel/convocation program website with a schedule of all chapel activities, by semester.
    • Works in cooperation with staff, students, and musicians in scheduling music ensembles, soloists, and other types of performances for the Chapel program.
    • Supervise student Worship Leaders, who provide musical praise and worship in Chapel.
    • Supervise student Chapel Interns, who assist in planning and executing the Chapel program.
  • Advances the university’s discipleship efforts.
    • Select, train, and supervise Spiritual Life Assistants for each campus living area to provide dorm devotionals, service projects, and a ministry of presence across the campus.
    • Select, equip, and organize faculty/staff Life Group facilitators, as part of the campus discipleship program.
    • Provide pastoral care and spiritual counsel for students.
    • Select, train, and encourage LeTourneau Student Ministries (LSM) cabinet to facilitate student programs for on-campus and off-campus ministry and to foster a university emphasis on prayer, service, and spiritual growth.
    • Participate in the training and selection of student Leaders, attend the fall and spring IMPACT retreats, and other IMPACT events as needed.
  • Foster meaningful local and global engagement through the church and its mission.
    • Interfaces with local pastors and churches to encourage off-campus studentchurch involvement, including through such activities as the church fair and church directory.
    • Interface with local community and faith-based ministries to encourage student involvement through community outreach activities.
    • Provide oversight of the student leadership for the various campus ministries teams, which includes the President of LeTourneau Student Ministries and the LSM cabinet.
    • Provide oversight of student mission ventures, both national and international, which include Spring Break Missions and Summer Missions scholarships.
    • Participate in public-facing events such as preview events, new student orientation, president’s advisory council, and other opportunities as appropriate.
  • Coordinate with other university departments and individuals to care for the pastoral needs of students.
    • Serves on the university’s Care Team.
    • Networks with the Director of Counseling for appropriate referral of counseling situations.
    • Works closely with the Office of Residential Life to ensure continuity and direction of spiritual programming for residential students.
    • Coordinate with the Center for Academic Ministry, School of Theology and Vocation, and other departments and groups to provide well-rounded, integrated spiritual development structures.
    • Assists in crisis intervention situations to offer support and follow-up with students, staff, faculty, and families.
  • Teach at least one academic course per year in the School of Theology and Vocation
  • Perform other duties pertinent to the position as assigned by the Vice President of Student Affairs or the President.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • An earned doctorate (preferred) or Master’s degree in Theology, Divinity, or a related field.
  • Experience in the pastoral care of college-age adults.
  • At least five years of ministry or pastoral experience.

LeTourneau University seeks a person with an enthusiastic and contagious Christian faith who is committed to higher education that includes both intellectual and spiritual development. This person’s focus will be a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, a passion for knowing and serving students, and the ability to shepherd students in their spiritual formation. The candidate will be a highly motivated, self-directed individual with highly effective communication and interpersonal skills. They will work skillfully in discerning the needs and perspectives of different university constituencies. They must be in complete agreement with the vision and mission of LeTourneau University and embrace the diversity of an interdenominational student body from many cultural backgrounds.

SCHEDULE:

This is a 12-month position, running from July 1 through June 30. Office hours are primarily weekdays; however, responsibilities require additional hours and flexibility, which mayinclude evenings and weekends.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary is competitive and commensurate with prior experience and other qualifications. LeTourneau University offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical and life insurance, as well as competitive contributions to a retirement plan.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY:

LeTourneau University is known as “the Christian Polytechnic University,” a comprehensive yet STEM-focused, evangelical, and interdenominational Christian institution. LeTourneau is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. LeTourneau offers more than 140 graduate and undergraduate courses of study in aviation, engineering, education, business, psychology and counseling, arts and sciences, nursing, and theology. Students enjoy the opportunity to take classes in person, online, or in a dual credit format.

Approximately 3,000 students attend LeTourneau University, including in-person, online, and dual credit students. With the average class size of 16 and a 13-to-1 student to faculty ratio, students are able to develop close relationships with world-class faculty. Professors are experts in their chosen field, credentialed with degrees from the top universities around the world. Many come to LeTourneau straight from industry or missions contexts, offering real-world experiences in the classroom and rich mentoring relationships with students. At LeTourneau, students receive both academic excellence and intentional spiritual formation because the integration of faith and learning is paramount to the educational mission of the university. Faculty and staff are active in students’ lives and encourage students to know Jesus Christ and the abundant life He offers.

LeTourneau consistently ranks among the top colleges and universities in the nation and the state of Texas: Top National Tier, Best Regional University in the Western Region and Best Undergraduate Engineering Program (U.S. News & World Report); Best Small Colleges in America, Most Conservative College in Texas, Best Christian College in Texas (Niche.com) in 2022. Also, LeTourneau ranks in the top 20 Best Value Colleges in Texas (Payscale.com) and Best Value Schools (U.S. News & World Report). LeTourneau University was founded in 1946 by businessman and devout Christian, R.G. LeTourneau, and his wife, Evelyn. Its beautiful, 162-acre, residential campus is located in Longview, TX. Learn more at www.letu.edu.

In accordance with applicable provisions of federal law, applicants for employment who are in agreement with the educational mission of LeTourneau University and applicants for admission to educational programs or activities are considered without discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, handicapping condition, or national origin. Inquiries about this policy should be directed to the Director of Human Resources, (903) 233-4170.

How to apply

Apply now

Applications will be reviewed in the order received and will continue until the position is filled.

Inspired by faith and a spirit of ingenuity, LeTourneau University integrates learning, living and Christian leadership in a community of integrity, academic quality and technological innovation. LeTourneau University is a regionally accredited, interdenominational, evangelical Christian university offering undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, engineering technology, and aeronautical science and Master's degrees in business administration. In addition to its residential campus in Longview, the university offers programs for adult students at major educational centers in Tyler, Dallas, Austin, and Houston, Texas.