Location: Tennessee State University (TSU) Wesley Foundation, Nashville, TN

Background: The TSU Wesley Foundation is housed on the campus of Tennessee State University, a proud family member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The Campus Ministry is deeply committed to and embraces the principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hence, the candidate must have the experience and skill set that demonstrates a clear understanding of the meaning of cultural and intercultural competence. The individual must have the ability to understand and respect values, attitudes, beliefs, and mores that differ across cultures and to consider and respond appropriately to these differences in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and interventions.

Objective: The primary role of the Wesley Foundation Campus Minister/Executive Director is to create a healthy, engaged student faith community by planning and executing Wesley programming and worship that leads to spiritual growth, providing pastoral care, and encouraging student leadership.  Secondary responsibilities include developing relationships with and nurturing the engagement of local churches, working with the TSU Wesley Board of Directors on fundraising, managing the use of the Wesley building, and overseeing the operations of the Wesley property.  

Classification:  Fulltime

Status:  Exempt

Supervision received:  As a Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference employee, the Campus Minister/Executive Director reports to the assigned TWK Conference District Superintendent.  He/she is also guided by the Board of Directors of the Tennessee State University Wesley Foundation, the TWK Conference Equip Team, and the TWK Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry (BHECM).   

United Methodist:  The Wesley Foundation at Tennessee State University is a United Methodist entity and subject to the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.  

Primary Responsibilities:

Christian Community: Ensure the Campus Ministry is a healthy, welcoming, diverse, engaged student faith community for students of all backgrounds, faith traditions, races, gender identities, and sexual orientations

 

Spiritual Growth:  Establish and deepen discipleship and intentional spiritual growth through programming, worship, and small groups

 

Service & Leadership:  Provide opportunities for mission and service with others. Develop student leaders who oversee various components of the ministry; engage students in vocational discernment; and connect students to opportunities for leadership throughout the conference and connection

 

Cultivate Connection with Church and Community: Build and nurture relationships and communicate the Campus Ministry’s missional opportunities with students, partner churches, the university, conference ministries, donors, and alumni.

 

  • Build connections between the Wesley students and:
    • Local congregations
    • Conference programming (camps, missions, etc.)
    • Strategic ministry partners who maximize the mission
  • Serve as the liaison between the Wesley and the university
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships between the Wesley and its alumni 
  • Ensure the Wesley has a presence at campus activities and provides outreach that invites students into the Wesley community

Organizational Oversight: Work with the local Wesley Board to supervise staff, manage property, ensure fiscal management, and raise funds necessary to fulfill the mission and goals.

 

  • Develop and implement a strategic plan, in collaboration with staff and the Wesley Board, to accomplish Wesley’s mission and goals
  • Ensure Wesley’s values (community, hospitality, and spiritual growth) are embodied in all aspects of its work together
  • Communicate effectively with the Wesley Board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Wesley Board to function properly and to make informed decisions, including quarterly goal updates
  • Work with the Wesley Board and the BHECM to ensure the hiring and development of competent, qualified staff
  • Lead and align staff and volunteers for the successful implementation of programs to accomplish the Wesley’s goals
  • With the Wesley Board, establish and apply appropriate staff and ministry policies and procedures 
  • Oversee all ministry communications and marketing with both students and other ministry partners.
  • Empower the Wesley Board to develop and manage the annual operating budget to meet organizational needs and objectives, to oversee fiscal management, and to lead fundraising efforts to meet budgetary needs, including fundraising activities such as grant writing, donor cultivation, and maintaining donor relations
  • Operate within the approved budget and maximize resource utilization
  • Ensure the Wesley buildings are properly maintained and managed with the Wesley Board’s support
  • Manage all residents of the TSU Wesley building. 

 

Pastoral Presence on Campus: The campus ministry provides pastoral care to the campus community, serves as a spiritual leader, and is a visible pastoral presence to the college community.

  • Provide pastoral care and leadership for the community
  • Resource students with a network of mental health care providers and counselors
  • In times of crisis and tragedy, provide pastoral support to the university 

Qualifications/Skills:

  • At least 5 years of experience in campus ministry, higher education, church leadership or other relevant non-profit leadership
  • Master of Divinity or seminary degree is preferred, but other relevant master or equivalent degrees and/or years of experience may be considered
  • Excellent verbal and written communication, teaching, preaching, and presentation skills
  • Proven experience in organizational leadership, fundraising, pastoral care, personnel management, and discipleship with young adults
  • United Methodist elders, deacons, licensed local pastors, and lay members who meet experience requirements are preferred. Applicants from other denominations grounded in Wesleyan theology will also be considered.

 

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in an office environment. The

person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file

cabinets. The person in this position frequently communicates with the public. Employee must be able to remain in a stationary position 25% of the time. Employee must occasionally lift or move office supplies or other items weighing up to 25 pounds.  Occasional travel for campus activities or other meetings will be required.

 

Compensation and benefits:

  • $54,000-$65,0000 salary range, depending on experience.
  • Full-time employees are eligible for medical/dental/vision insurance on day one.
  • Full-time lay employees are eligible for 403(b) retirement savings plan on day one with a generous employer match of 12% for an employee contribution of 3%.
  • Vacation time and paid holidays.
  • Professional, team environment.
  • Full-time schedule with night and weekend work required.

  

 

Stipulations:

  • Because of the Conference’s non-profit status, its employees are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

 

Contact Information and How to Apply:

  • Qualified applicants, please send a letter of interest and resume to careers@twkumc.org and specify that you are applying for Campus Minister/Executive Director position. Job offer is contingent upon successful completion of training and background check.  Deadline to apply is on or before Friday, September 13, 2024.  Applications will be reviewed when they are received.

 

You can learn more about TSU Wesley Foundation at https://www.tsuwesley615.com/about