Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Minister and Manager, Application Close: March 31, 2025

GENERAL PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Guide and coordinate the ecumenical relationships of the national setting of the United Church of Christ, working closely with the General Minister and President who is the Chief Ecumenical Officer for the church. Nurture ecumenical leadership throughout the wider church. Provide ecumenical education and formation for members of the UCC. Serve as the primary interpreter of UCC ecumenical protocols and relationships, ensuring relationships are lived out across the settings of the UCC consistent with the agreements between the UCC and its ecumenical and interfaith partners. Ensure UCC connection and representation in global and national ecumenical organizations including (but not limited to): World Council of Churches, National Council of Churches, Christian Churches Together, Churches Uniting in Christ, World Communion of Reformed Churches and Religions for Peace USA. Supervise the sustaining and development of relationships with interfaith organizations and interfaith partners with attention to animating the UCC’s interfaith statement which was passed by the General Synod in 2019.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Nurture and coordinate the ecumenical work of the UCC, led by the General Minster and President and animated by this position, through involvement in full communion relationships, partnerships, councils of churches, theological dialogues, and other ecumenical initiatives.
• Serve as UCC ecumenical representative to ecumenical and interfaith organizations.
• Provide leadership in discerning new opportunities for the UCC to live out its commitment to ecumenism and Christian unity.
• Represent the UCC in global and national ecumenical and interfaith settings and strengthen UCC participation through broader recruitment and training of UCC volunteer representatives willing to serve ecumenically.
• Represent the UCC within the uniting and uniting churches and provide resources within the UCC for understanding this part of the UCC identity.
• Interpret to the UCC the theology, history and practice of the ecumenical movement in written and oral presentations including workshops, sermons, addresses, articles, etc. and provide resources for ecumenical development.
• Advise the General Minister and President, Associate General Ministers and other UCC leaders on ecumenical policy, reporting on issues relevant to the UCC’s ecumenical commitment and witness.
• Analyze trends across the ecumenical and interreligious landscape and interpret UCC participation and contributions for the future of the ecumenical movement and interreligious engagement.
• Provide staff support for the ecumenical advisory network.
• Build and nurture an informed and vital network among ecumenically active members of the UCC, with attention to the recruitment and participation of young leadership.
• Work collaboratively with others across the settings of the UCC to develop and implement leadership development and ecumenical formation initiatives for youth and young adults.
• Supervise the Interfaith Relations Coordinator to increase representation with identified partners and networks.
• Ensure promotion and facilitation of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in the national setting and at the grassroots through involving UCC members in their local settings.
• Attend to emerging opportunities to facilitate constituent and partner engagement with religious multiplicity, including congregations with interfaith families and individuals who hold multiple religious belonging.
• Conceptualize and prepare material to interpret program objectives.
• Promote the ministry’s positive public image by responding in writing and orally on a timely basis to inquiries for information, accepting speaking engagements, and serving as a resource.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of work teams by fostering a spirit of cooperation and accomplishing assigned tasks.
• Prepare and administer the budget for ecumenical delegations ensuring good stewardship of financial resources.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

OTHER:

This position is based in Cleveland, OH and requires at least 3 days of work in the office.