Director of Pastoral Care

WHO YOU ARE

You are a compassionate and dedicated spiritual caregiver, deeply committed to supporting the emotional and spiritual well-being of residents, their families, and staff at Lutheran Life Villages. Rooted in the mission, vision, and values of the organization, you embody a servant-hearted approach to ministry, offering guidance and comfort in alignment with the doctrines and practices of the Lutheran Church. You are approachable, empathetic, and skilled at fostering meaningful connections, creating an atmosphere of care and faith-filled encouragement. With a strong understanding of organizational policies and a collaborative spirit, you ensure that pastoral care remains an integral part of the holistic support provided to the Lutheran Life Villages community. Your work reflects both a deep faith and a commitment to uplifting others in their time of need.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Director of Pastoral Care, your work will be at the heart of creating a compassionate, faith-filled community where residents, families, and staff feel supported and uplifted. Your key responsibilities will include:

Spiritual Care for Residents

• Provide individualized spiritual counseling, guidance, and support to residents with diverse faith traditions and belief systems
• Ensures all religious and related musical programming, worship services, and celebrating of the sacraments is conducted appropriately and consistently.
• Supports residents during times of transition, grief, or crisis, including end-of-life care.

Family and Staff Support

• Offer spiritual and emotional support to families, helping them navigate challenges related to aging, illness, and loss.
• Serve as a resource for staff, providing spiritual care and encouragement to enhance well-being and resilience.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure residents’ spiritual needs are integrated into their care plans.

Community Engagement & Programming

• Develop and implement programs that promote spiritual growth, reflection, and community connection.
• Coordinate and oversee visiting clergy, volunteers, and other spiritual care providers.
• Develops and maintains cooperative relationship with all faith groups, service area clergy and churches to ensure that appropriate services for residents and families are available.
• Promotes worship and spiritual growth by acknowledging the individual's religious beliefs and preferences.

Crisis and Grief Support

• Respond promptly to emergencies, providing spiritual care during crises and urgent situations.
• Lead or participate in bereavement support programs for residents, families, and staff.

Administrative Duties

• Participate in meetings, committees, and strategic planning as requested.
• Provides reports on the activities of the pastoral care staff to the committee of the board of directors as required by the committee.
• Convenes staff and volunteers of the pastoral care department regularly across campuses to develop skills and enhance programs/services ensuring consistency of delivery across campuses and levels of care.
• Provides for Vicar’s supervision when assigned.
• Support and contribute to the organization as member of the assigned campus director team.
• Maintain accurate records of spiritual care activities in compliance with organizational policies.
• Promotes the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization by exhibiting professional and ethical work practices.
• Represents Lutheran Life Villages to the Indiana District and local pastor groups (winkle’s).

WHAT YOU NEED

To succeed in this role, you should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Ordination and Experience: You must be an ordained Lutheran Pastor in the LCMS or ELCA, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in chaplaincy or pastoral care, preferably working with older adults.
• Passion for Serving Older Adults: A genuine love and desire to work with older adults, understanding their unique spiritual and emotional needs.
• Knowledge and Communication Skills: Strong knowledge of various faith groups, denominations, and their worship practices, paired with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Technical Proficiency: Competence in using computer software, writing reports, and operating audio/visual equipment.

Skills & Competencies

• Spiritual and Theological Expertise: A solid foundation in theology, spiritual practices, and religious traditions, with the ability to respectfully address diverse spiritual beliefs.
• Empathy and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening and empathy, to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and compassion.
• Crisis and Grief Support: Experience in grief counseling, crisis intervention, and end-of-life care, with a commitment to confidentiality and ethical caregiving.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Proficiency in planning and leading Lutheran services, working effectively with multidisciplinary teams, and fostering mutual respect among colleagues.
• Adaptability and Self-Care: Flexibility to meet the needs of a diverse community, while practicing self-care to maintain well-being and prevent burnout.

WHY JOIN US?

At Lutheran Life Villages, we bring our core values of Leadership, Impact, Friendship, and Excellence (LIFE) into every part of our work. Here, you’ll find the opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to providing exceptional care for seniors while fostering a supportive, collaborative environment for its staff. Our commitment to Leadership means empowering our team members to grow personally and professionally, inspiring others by example. We’re passionate about making a meaningful Impact in the lives of our residents and nurturing relationships built on Friendship and compassion. By pursuing Excellence in all we do, our employees share our mission to deliver outstanding care.

As a valued member of the LLV team, you’ll enjoy a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your growth and well-being. With offerings from medical, dental, and vision insurance to paid time off on your birthday, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and retirement matching, we’re committed to helping you thrive. Join us on a purposeful journey where your career and compassion come together!

Lutheran Life Villages is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO) that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, gender or any status protected by federal, state or local laws. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, competence, and performance.