What are the responsibilities and job description for the Consultant, Lutheran Mission and Theology position at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America?
Description:
Location:
Indonesia
Agreement Term:
Full Time, Four Years
Anticipated Start Date(s) Include:
July 13, 2025
Agreement Type:
Long-term
Description:
This position is located within the Theology Department of the Indonesian National Committee of the Lutheran Federation (KNLWF). The primary location is at a study center on the campus of the theological seminary of the HKBP in Pematangsiantar.
The Sekolah Tinggi Teologi of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan church (STT HKBP) is the seminary of the Christian Protestant Batak Church and is located on the campus near the center of Pematangsiantar, Sumatra. There are more than 500 students enrolled, most of whom are from the HKBP and other Lutheran church bodies in Indonesia. The primary focus at the institution is in the training of pastors and tertiary educational institutions. The STT has a graduate program.
Pematangsiantar, often shortened to Siantar, is the second largest city on Sumatra after Medan. It is located some 130 km from Medan and is a stop-off point for tourists going to Lake Toba. It has a population of more than 250,000. It is the home area for Batak Simalungun people, there are many Chinese, Javanese and other Batak groups that live there.
Also located in Siantar is one of two campuses of Nommensen University, an institution of the HKBP. The Siantar campus has the faculty of teacher training and the English department, with a total of more than 6,000 students.
The position will involve participation in study programs in other locations, including: Abdi Sabda Theological Seminary in Medan, North Sumatra, and Sundermann Theological Seminary on the island of Nias. This may involve residency in each place for up to a month as well as the possibility of providing virtual learning opportunities. Additionally, the position engages with all 14 of the Indonesian Lutheran churches, though KNLWF, in their efforts to strengthen Lutheran identity and theological undergirding.
While Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, Christians make up about 10% of the population. Parts of Northern Sumatra, especially among the Batak people, have a high concentration of Christians and among these, Lutherans are a majority.
Timeline:
Experience and Skills:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employees will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A psychological evaluation is required.
Benefits:
The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees and dependent, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer additional benefits upon deployment to the country of service.
Location:
Indonesia
Agreement Term:
Full Time, Four Years
Anticipated Start Date(s) Include:
July 13, 2025
Agreement Type:
Long-term
Description:
This position is located within the Theology Department of the Indonesian National Committee of the Lutheran Federation (KNLWF). The primary location is at a study center on the campus of the theological seminary of the HKBP in Pematangsiantar.
The Sekolah Tinggi Teologi of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan church (STT HKBP) is the seminary of the Christian Protestant Batak Church and is located on the campus near the center of Pematangsiantar, Sumatra. There are more than 500 students enrolled, most of whom are from the HKBP and other Lutheran church bodies in Indonesia. The primary focus at the institution is in the training of pastors and tertiary educational institutions. The STT has a graduate program.
Pematangsiantar, often shortened to Siantar, is the second largest city on Sumatra after Medan. It is located some 130 km from Medan and is a stop-off point for tourists going to Lake Toba. It has a population of more than 250,000. It is the home area for Batak Simalungun people, there are many Chinese, Javanese and other Batak groups that live there.
Also located in Siantar is one of two campuses of Nommensen University, an institution of the HKBP. The Siantar campus has the faculty of teacher training and the English department, with a total of more than 6,000 students.
The position will involve participation in study programs in other locations, including: Abdi Sabda Theological Seminary in Medan, North Sumatra, and Sundermann Theological Seminary on the island of Nias. This may involve residency in each place for up to a month as well as the possibility of providing virtual learning opportunities. Additionally, the position engages with all 14 of the Indonesian Lutheran churches, though KNLWF, in their efforts to strengthen Lutheran identity and theological undergirding.
While Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, Christians make up about 10% of the population. Parts of Northern Sumatra, especially among the Batak people, have a high concentration of Christians and among these, Lutherans are a majority.
Timeline:
- Application Opens: February 2025
- Interviews: February – April 2025
- ELCA Orientation in Chicago: July 13 – 25, 2025
- Deploy to Indonesia: August/September 2025
- Work in close relationship with the KNLWF theology department and its staff.
- Work closely and consult with Indonesian theologians in shaping Lutheran identity programs, projects, and processes.
- Assist with the administration and implementation of Lutheran identity programs, projects and processes.
- Teach courses that relate to Lutheran theological distinctives, particularly in the specialty and expertise of the missionary. Some of this may be done through providing virtual learning opportunities.
- Help coordinate courses and teachings in other areas of Lutheran theological distinctives.
- Assist in the development of literature and other learning tools, as well as teaching tools, in Lutheran theological distinctives.
- Attend conferences and consultations on Lutheran identity and other areas of theology.
- Provide special lectures, as requested, in various areas of Lutheran theological understandings.
- Interpret the mission and ministry of our companions back to the ELCA through newsletters, blogs, and visits to ELCA congregations and members.
Experience and Skills:
- A Ph.D. in theology with emphasis on Lutheran identity: this may include church history and the Reformation, systematic theology, Christian ethics, or other discipline.
- Clergy or theologically trained.
- Practical experience in the field and teaching experience is preferred
- Due to work visa limitations, candidate must be under the age of 55.
- There are no English-medium schools in Siantar and therefore children, if any, would need to be homeschooled.
- Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church.
- Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths.
- Respect for beliefs, values, and customs of church and culture where assigned.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion.
- Demonstrate ability to carry out responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices.
- Ability to work within the framework of a local administration.
- Adaptable and flexible sense of humor - good physical and emotional health.
- Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA.
- Long-Term Terms and Conditions
- This position is supported under the terms of ELCA Service and Justice Expectations and Support for Long Term Mission Personnel. Those provisions include international transportation, transportation related to work assignment, pensions and major medical coverage, assistance with schooling for children through high school, housing and cash salary which is adjusted according to the goods and services differential for Indonesia.
- Salary is based on years of work experience.
- If candidate is married, both must complete an application for this position for discernment of the appropriate pattern of service of the spouse. In the context of global mission service, the accompanying spouse is seen as a representative of the ELCA and of the receiving church regardless of their actual role. It is important for the ELCA that both members of a couple understand the role of a missionary and are comfortable with that reality.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employees will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A psychological evaluation is required.
Benefits:
The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees and dependent, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer additional benefits upon deployment to the country of service.
