Vitality Leadership Systems Coordinator

Area Function

The Congregational Vitality department equips dioceses, congregations, and ministry leaders to cultivate healthy, adaptive, and sustainable Episcopal communities. Its work advances missional priorities through church planting, congregational revitalization and redevelopment, leadership formation, grants and strategic investments, coaching and networks, research and learning, and partnerships across The Episcopal Church. The department connects churchwide resources with local contexts so that dioceses and congregations can discern and take their next faithful steps toward vitality and mission. 

Job Summary

The Vitality Leadership Systems Coordinator coordinates churchwide efforts in vocational discernment, recruitment, assessment, and leadership development for emerging leaders called to church planting and/or revitalization leadership. The position coordinates the Pipelines of Formation initiative, connecting emerging leaders with formation pathways, educational opportunities, mentoring, and practical experiences that support their journey from vocational discernment through seminary and formation to church planting curacies. 

Working collaboratively with bishops, dioceses, Commissions on Ministry, seminaries, schools of formation, ministry partners, and experienced practitioners, the Vitality Leadership Systems Coordinator helps strengthen a coordinated churchwide approach to identifying, assessing, forming, and accompanying leaders for church planting, revitalization, and redevelopment. 

The position reports to the Director of Congregational Vitality and works closely with the Senior Manager for Congregational Vitality, other members of the Congregational Vitality department, and other appropriate TEC staff. 

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Director of Congregational Vitality. This position has no direct reports and works closely with other Congregational Vitality staff and other staff when needed. 

Duties & Essential Job Functions

Churchwide Vocational Discernment, Recruitment & Emerging Leader Development — Advance churchwide efforts support dioceses to more strategically identify, encourage, recruit, and support emerging leaders called to church planting or revitalization . Expand access to appropriate formation pathways, mentors, practitioners, educational opportunities, and other resources so emerging leaders develop the theological, pastoral, relational, entrepreneurial, and practical competencies needed to plant or revitalize new Episcopal communities.

Pipelines of Formation Coordination & Leadership Pathways — Coordinate and strengthen the Pipelines of Formation initiative to create effective connections among vocational discernment, recruitment, assessment, formation, seminary engagement, and church planting curacies. Ensure emerging leaders can move successfully through appropriate stages of preparation and are connected to opportunities that support their development and readiness for leadership.

Partnership Development & Diocesan Engagement — Build and sustain collaborative relationships with bishops, dioceses, Commissions on Ministry, seminaries, schools of formation, and other leadership partners. Develop a clear understanding of diocesan practices, opportunities, and challenges related to identifying and supporting individuals called to establish new Episcopal communities, and strengthen churchwide alignment and collaboration around emerging leader development.

Pilots, Assessment, Learning & Continuous Improvement — Coordinate pilots, assessments, and other initiatives that strengthen recruitment, vocational discernment, leadership formation, and church planting practices. Gather, evaluate, and synthesize learning from dioceses, partners, pilots, and assessments to identify effective practices, inform churchwide strategies, and promote a culture of experimentation, learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Collaboration & Congregational Vitality Alignment — Collaborate with the Congregational Vitality team and other churchwide partners to align emerging leader recruitment, discernment, and formation efforts with broader congregational vitality and church planting priorities. Support related initiatives and perform other duties as assigned that advance the overall goals of the position. 

Principal Responsibilities

• Coordinate churchwide vocational discernment and recruitment efforts focused on emerging leaders for church planting and revitalization. 
• Coordinate the Pipelines of Formation initiative and strengthen connections among discernment, recruitment, assessment, formation, seminary engagement, and church planting curacies. 
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with bishops, dioceses, Commissions on Ministry, seminaries, schools of formation, and other leadership partners. 
• Listen and learn with dioceses to understand current practices for identifying, encouraging, and supporting individuals called to establish new Episcopal communities. 
• Coordinate pilots, assessments, and other initiatives designed to strengthen recruitment, discernment, and leadership formation practices. 
• Connect emerging leaders with appropriate formation pathways, mentors, practitioners, educational opportunities, and other resources. 
• Help expand opportunities for emerging leaders to develop the theological, pastoral, relational, entrepreneurial, and practical skills needed to plant and lead new Episcopal communities and revitalize existing ones. 
• Gather and synthesize learning from dioceses, partners, pilots, and assessments to inform churchwide recruitment and formation strategies. 
• Collaborate with the Congregational Vitality team to align recruitment and leadership formation efforts with broader congregational vitality and church planting priorities. 
• Support a culture of collaboration, experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Other Functions And Responsibilities

Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience. 
• Three to five years of experience in ministry leadership, vocational discernment, theological education, leadership development, church planting, program coordination, or a related field. 
• Working knowledge of The Episcopal Church’s structures, polity, and formation and ordination processes, or demonstrated experience working effectively within a comparable denominational or churchwide context. 
• Strong relationship-building skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diocesan leaders, Commissions on Ministry, seminaries, schools of formation, ministry practitioners, and other partners. 
• Strong program and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives, relationships, timelines, and stakeholders. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate conversations and communicate effectively with individuals at different stages of vocational discernment and formation. 
• Ability to listen across diverse contexts, identify patterns and opportunities, and translate learning into practical strategies, resources, or programs. 
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with a geographically dispersed team and churchwide partners. 
• Commitment to cultural humility and to expanding pathways into leadership for people and communities historically underrepresented in church planting and ordained ministry. 
• Ability and willingness to travel for meetings, gatherings, diocesan visits, and other program activities. 

Preferred

• Master of Divinity, other theological degree, or graduate education in a related field.
• Familiarity with assessment tools and practices used in vocational discernment and leadership development.
• Experience working across cultures and with communities historically underrepresented in church leadership.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency, especially Spanish. 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

This position regularly requires prolonged computer use and participation in virtual meetings; frequent written and verbal communication; and the ability to organize, transport, and set up event materials. The employee must be able to travel by air and ground transportation and navigate hotels, conference facilities, churches, and other event sites. The position may occasionally require lifting or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.