Missioner for First Third of Life (Clergy only)

Job Details

Position Summary

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, a diocese of the Episcopal Church comprising 92 churches in the northern third of New Jersey, seeks a passionate, creative, and dedicated individual to serve as the Missioner for the First Third of Life. This new and exciting role will focus on nurturing the spiritual growth, faith formation, and community engagement of individuals and families in the first third of life, which includes children, youth, and young adults. The Missioner will work collaboratively with diocesan staff, parishes, schools, and other organizations to ensure that the Diocese’s programs, initiatives, and ministries reflect the diverse needs and experiences of young people as they grow in faith and life.

Job Type: Full-time, exempt
Pay: $80,000 – $85,000 salary per year, with housing provided in diocesan housing
Reports to: the Canon to the Ordinary
Benefits: Pension contribution to the Church Pension Group; life insurance; medical and dental insurance, generous paid time
Schedule: 40-50 hours per week
Job Location: Various; office is in Livingston, NJ 07039

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Program Development: Develop and implement innovative programs for children, youth, and young adults that foster spiritual growth, leadership development, and community engagement, aligned with the Episcopal Church’s values.
Faith Formation Leadership: Provide guidance and resources for youth leaders, clergy, and volunteers to create vibrant, meaningful, and sustainable faith formation experiences that are relevant, inclusive, and accessible to young people.
Parish Support & Collaboration: Serve as a resource to parishes within the diocese to support their ministries to children, youth, and young adults, offering training, coaching, and partnership opportunities.
Community Building: Encourage relationships among youth, young adults, and families in the Diocese of Newark, facilitating opportunities for them to connect, learn, and serve together.
Discipleship & Advocacy: Empower young people to live out their faith through service, justice, and advocacy. Equip them to engage in social justice work and advocate for those on the margins.
Resource Development & Distribution: Curate and distribute educational materials, curriculum, and resources for ministries that engage children, youth, and young adults in a transformative spiritual journey.
Spiritual and Pastoral Care: Offer support and pastoral care to young people and their families, responding to the unique challenges and questions they face in their spiritual journeys.
Collaboration with Schools & Camps: Partner with Episcopal schools, camp programs, and other diocesan ministries to build a network of support and faith formation for young people across the Diocese of Newark.
Diocesan Leadership: Serve as a representative of the Diocese in regional, national, and churchwide conversations about faith formation for young people, participating in conferences, events, and advocacy efforts.

Essential Qualifications and Requirements

A deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, with a strong understanding of and commitment to the Episcopal Church.
A passion for supporting the spiritual lives of children, youth, and young adults.
Ordination: Must be an ordained Episcopal priest in good standing with a minimum of seven years ordination in the Episcopal Church.
Education: A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree or equivalent theological education.
Experience: Proven experience in ministry with children, youth, and young adults, particularly in an Episcopal or liturgical setting. Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating faith formation programs is required.
Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership abilities, including experience training and mentoring clergy, lay leaders, and volunteers. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
Creativity & Vision: Ability to think creatively and strategically about new ways to engage young people and support their faith development.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire, teach, and connect with a wide range of audiences. Comfort with digital and online platforms for engagement, resource sharing, and ministry.
Flexibility & Adaptability: Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, and to adapt to the changing needs of young people in the Diocese.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Successful completion of a background check.
Anti-Racism and anti-sexism training will be required upon employment.
Understand and embrace our values, mission and vision.
Must have a valid driver’s license, access to transportation, and insurance mandated by the state to fulfill responsibilities and duties.

Desired Attributes

Compassionate, empathetic, and approachable.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Collaborative, flexible, and adaptable to changing needs.
Enthusiastic and committed to the mission of the Episcopal Church.
Fluency or at least familiarity with Spanish.

All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Diocese of Newark Strategic Visioning Plan

In 2022 and 2023, the Diocese of Newark created a new strategic vision for the diocese, which is in the process of being implemented.

Mission Statement: Join us in following Jesus Christ with bold acts of justice, peace, and love.
Vision Statement: A world transformed, where all Creation knows God’s life-changing love.

A direct outcome of this diocesan-wide conversation on our priorities and vision for the future of ministry in this diocese was a clear desire to redevelop ministries to children, youth, young adults, and their families. As part of this Strategic Visioning Process, two goals were articulated for this area of ministry:

Meet families and emerging adults where they are by offering new ways and places for them to serve.
Elevate the importance of ministering to the first third of life age groups across the Diocese.

Various initiatives were recommended to accomplish these goals, including working closely with our camp, Cross Roads, creating opportunities to hear from children, youth, and young adults more effectively, developing resources and connections for those in college, and to provide training for people in this ministry, among others.

The creation of this diocesan staff position is one of the specific recommendations of this strategic plan.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The Bishop and the Canon to the Ordinary retain the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please apply by sending a cover letter with resume by email to The Rev. Canon Andrew R. Wright, Canon to the Ordinary at missioner1@dioceseofnewark.org. This position is open until filled.