submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
Augsburg’s Riverside Innovation Hub (RIH) is committed to place-based vocational discernment in the public square for the common good. We partner with congregations who are working to develop and deepen relationships with their neighbors and neighborhoods. We convene learning communities of congregations and ministry leaders through large group learning events, cohort-based gatherings, and ongoing relationships. These efforts are aimed to support the context-specific ways congregations practice what they are learning in their own neighborhoods and in relationship with their neighbors. These collaborative efforts are sponsored by Augsburg University’s Christensen Center for Vocation and supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
The RIH Facilitator will work directly with several of our congregational partners in RIH by supporting two cohorts of up to four congregations each (up to 8 congregations in total.) The RIH Facilitator will support them on an individual basis, facilitate them as smaller cohorts of learning, and engage them with Augsburg-hosted learning events with all congregational partners. Additionally, the RIH Facilitator will develop practices and materials to support effective facilitation with congregations based on the work they do accompanying their congregations in the current iteration of the RIH Learning Community. They will collaborate with the RIH Lead Facilitator to integrate these practices and materials into their work with the learning communities, and contribute to the department’s “best practices” for transformational work with congregations. The ideal candidate will be a person who:
– Has experience effectively equipping, developing, and empowering groups or teams.
– Will be an innovative and reliable member of a team taking on complex and evolving work.
– Is not deterred by conflicts, roadblocks or the need to turn and pivot.
– Has a desire to see the church become more engaged in and shaped by its neighborhood.
– Has a hopeful realism about the state of church and its role in public life.
– Can think theologically and articulate theological beliefs in a way that is contextual.
– Can cultivate relationships and stick with them over the long haul.
– Has a commitment to the ministry of Christian congregations and a Lutheran theological understanding of vocation.
– Has a commitment to creating anti-racist culture and developing intercultural humility.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
– Support four congregations individually by developing relationships, putting in the time to learn about their neighborhood and congregation, and being attentive to the particularities of each congregation to best help accompany them through a learning process.
– Facilitate and coordinate a cohesive learning cohort among the four congregations, building trust, accountability, and mutual learning.
– Integrate components of the Riverside Innovation Hub’s larger two-year learning arc in contextually relevant ways for congregations in the cohort.
– Through hands-on facilitation with RIH congregations, develop best practices and materials to support RIH’s ongoing work of transformation with congregations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
– Typical work environment includes computer/desk work, facilitating in-person events, and meeting with individuals in person, over zoom and over the phone.
– The focus of this position is working directly with off campus partners and therefore many of the hours may be done remotely.
– Position will include occasional evening or weekend hours related to events.
– Regular computer use.
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
– Organize and schedule regular gatherings with congregations.
– Contribute to and participate in staff trainings to engage the materials that shape the learning community.
– Collaborate with other RIH staff to steward the RIH learning community of congregations.
– Collaborate with other RIH staff to apply anti-racist practices to our work with congregations.
– Develop learning strategies relevant to each congregation towards desired learning outcomes.
– Other administrative tasks as determined by supervisor.