Concordia University Chicago (CUC) invites applications for the full-time, exempt position of University Chaplain. This position reports directly to the University President and is located in River Forest, IL.

The University Chaplain supports the president's role as spiritual head of the university by overseeing all campus worship, shepherding students, faculty, and staff by pastoral care and counseling, facilitating all spiritual life activities, and serving as Dean of the Chapel. Additionally, as the Pre-Seminary director, this position sees to the personal, academic, and spiritual formation of students planning to attend seminary. The candidate must be an ordained and rostered member in good standing of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or one of its partner churches.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Faithfully adheres to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) and supports the mission and identity of Concordia University Chicago
• Offers regular word and sacrament ministry to students, faculty and staff through daily chapel and mid-week communion services
• Coordinates with the Chapel Organist, Cantor, and various ensemble conductors to ensure a biblically sound, musically rich worship experience
• Supervises all student-led worship related activities and all student-led campus ministry activities, including Ministry with Concordia, Ministry with Chicago, Ministry with the World, Concordia Youth Ministry, and Residential Ministry Coordinator
• Conducts and coordinates all university special services, such as: Opening Service; Baccalaureate-the Service of Praise and Consecration; Lessons and Carols; Tree-Lighting Festival; Occasional Services related to civic events/holidays; Faculty and Staff Recognition Services; Alumni, Homecoming, and CIT Services; DCE and Deaconess Placement services; occasional rites of dedication, blessing, and thanksgiving
• Helps create and direct new university ministries that respond to the needs of the wider university community
• Oversees all non-university worship related activities from visiting entities such as district, synodical, circuit events, and visiting recognized service organizations
• Oversees all wedding, funeral, and anniversary services held in the Chapel of Our Lord
• Organizes Sunday Morning Worship with the Worship Coordinator
• Meets regularly with students from all backgrounds for evangelism, scripture reading, confession/absolution, pastoral counseling, crisis intervention, and prayer
• Visits the sick who are hospitalized or institutionalized
• Offers pastoral wisdom and guidance, especially to young people in times of challenge
• Catechizes students for Baptism and Confirmation, connecting them then into the fellowship of LCMS congregations
• Meets with faculty and staff for pastoral support and prayer
• Attends and organize annual training retreats
• Selects team leaders for various campus ministry/teams
• Attends weekly campus ministry team meetings and occasional ministry events and conferences (e.g., March for life, Beautiful Feet Mission Conference)
• Supports student recruitment, church relations, and mission-and-identity work
• Oversees the care, upkeep, and renovations related to the physical chapel space and manages the University Chaplain Budget
• In consultation with the President, makes the final decisions concerning the conduct and content of activities in the Chapel and Werner auditorium
• Oversees the academic, spiritual, and personal formation of students planning to attend seminary and advises the University President on seminary recommendations for students
• Actively recruits young men on and off campus for pastoral ministry, coordinates with Seminary recruiters for regular visits, and meets with prospective students through undergraduate recruiting events
• Creates, fundraises for, and administers all scholarship programs such as the Timothy Award, Faculty Grant, and Helen J. Peterson Fund
• Meets regularly, one-on-one, with all current pre-seminary students and develops beneficial programing such as retreats, service, study, and social activities
• Works closely with the Theology faculty on new programing initiatives and curriculum changes, serving as a "secondary advisor" to each pre-seminary student

Skill Sets:

• Strong administrative skills, including related computer and technology skills
• Superior verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Enthusiastic supporter of Lutheran higher education and Concordia University Chicago
• Efficient with the execution of details, organization, and follow-through
• Outgoing, works well with people of different backgrounds, and has a professional and positive demeanor
• Supportive of university ministry, the mission of the University and of the doctrinal positions of the LCMS
• Skilled in ministry and pastoral care and counsel to college students
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends, and occasionally during the odd hours of student schedules

Minimum Experience Required:

5 years of parish ministry experience preferred

Education Requirements:

Master's degree in Theology or Divinity required; Doctoral degree preferred

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting range is dependent upon individual qualifications and experience. Concordia University Chicago benefit options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Disability and Survivor Plan (Basic Life Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Tuition benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Application Information:

Interested individuals should include a cover letter, resume and references with their online application.

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.

About Concordia University Chicago:

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university founded in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health, Science & Technology, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 160 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. All undergraduate and graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Concordia University Chicago has been recognized as a College of Distinction since 2010, and is consistently ranked among the Best Regional Universities-Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. For more than a decade, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu.

Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.