Campus Minister

NOLA Wesley

New Orleans, Louisiana 70118

Full Time

NOLA Wesley is the Progressive Christian Ministry serving Tulane and Loyola's student communities, located in Uptown New Orleans, supported by the United Methodist and Presbyterian Church. We are open to people of all faiths who want to spend time in Christ-centered communities. Our mission is to accept, become, and share Christ's love by building an inclusive community rooted in faith and justice. We are a proud member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which advocates for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Methodist Church.

Our Core Values

Open Table: We believe in grounding our lives in community, so we start our week centered around dinner and worship on Sunday nights.

Safe Space: We believe in creating safe spaces for students with a diversity of spiritual journeys where no questions are taboo. We have a variety of offerings which may include book studies, scripture, and prayer services.

Changed Lives: We accept everyone the way they are, and we also expect that our lives will be changed by Jesus, so we challenge each other to grow spiritually.

Transformed World: We believe that God wants to transform the world through us. To this end, we seek ways to be of service and fight for justice in the New Orleans community.

In addition to scheduled weekly programming, Wesley's building is available for studying, hanging out, movie/game nights, and prayer/meditation. We have a student lounge, study room, a back patio, and 2 dorm-style rooms that can accommodate up to 4 residents.

NOLA Wesley also contains a daytime café, The Labyrinth, a designated 1001 New Worshiping Community with the Presbyterian Church. Staffed by work-study students, The Labyrinth offers coffee, teas, paninis, bagels, and snacks. The Labyrinth also serves as an event venue for college bands, theater, craft nights, and a variety of other community events and meetings.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the NOLA Wesley Foundation's Campus Minister is to create a vibrant, engaged student faith community by planning and executing Wesley programming & worship, providing pastoral care, and encouraging student leadership. Secondary responsibilities include coordinating with local church volunteers, developing relationships with & nurturing the engagement of local churches and universities, and working with the board on fundraising.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Master of Divinity from an accredited seminary preferred, Ordination, or demonstrated relevant leadership experience

• Harmony with NOLA Wesley's core values and ministry context

• Highly interpersonally skilled: able to relate to college students, create a welcoming environment, and articulate a compelling vision for NOLA Wesley, the university community, and students' personal lives

• Creativity in planning and competence in execution of worship and programming

• Teaching/preaching/presentation skills. Calendar/time management/organizational/tidiness skills.

• Pastoral care: ability to provide counseling on spiritual and life issues

• Ability to encourage and develop student leadership

• Competency with information and communications systems, including MS office, email newsletters, and social media

• Ability to operate with minimal day-to-day supervision, be a self-starter and planner, initiative taker

Worship & Programming Duties

• Plan and lead weekly worship service, including coordination of meals provided by local churches

• Lead small groups, equip student leadership for student-led groups

• Plan and participate in fellowship events, retreats, and local mission events

• Develop strategies for outreach to student participants which reflect the diversity of the university campus

• Liaison with Tulane & Loyola Administrations and other student organizations (i.e. offices of multicultural/gender diversity/religious life, other campus religious/service organizations)

• Specific hours and schedule will fluctuate in-semester vs. summer and will include some evening and weekend hours

Pastoral Care Duties

• Welcome students into the Wesley community, regardless of race, class, creed, gender, or sexual orientation

• Be available for conversations and short-term counseling, make appropriate referrals

• Labyrinth Café Duties

• Planning and executing Wesley-sponsored Labyrinth events such as open-mic nights

• Coordination with café manager for Labyrinth "venue" events such as band shows, yoga classes, group meetings, etc.

• Supervisory and Administrative Duties

• Selection of Student Ministry Team and any part-time staff hires

• Equipping/empowering café manager to ensure the café has supplies and adequate staffing

• Hold regular staff meetings with student leadership for accomplishing weekly support tasks

• Recruiting, screening and coordination of volunteers for ministry needs

• Work with the board on creating a yearly budget, remain conscious of budget when spending throughout the year

• Maintaining an orderly and welcoming space, i.e. organization and decluttering the space when needed (Weekly cleaning of bathrooms and kitchen is contracted to a cleaning service. Café-related cleaning is by café staff.)

Reporting and Personal Growth

• The Campus Minister reports to the Board of Directors of the NOLA Wesley Foundation; the New Orleans District Superintendent; and the Louisiana Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.

• The Campus Minister is encouraged to attend continuing education opportunities, with emphasis on campus ministry.

Fundraising

NOLA Wesley is jointly funded by the Louisiana Conference, Presbytery of South Louisiana, 1001 NWC, and donations from supporters and local churches. Wesley raises a portion of its budget every year through local church outreach and online platforms such as Facebook, Patreon, and Donorbox. Additional funding from grants, one-time gifts, and fundraising drives enables a variety of programs. Though the board tries to spearhead these efforts, the campus minister serves as the "face" of Wesley. Being able to articulate a compelling vision to potential donors and being comfortable asking for money to make that vision reality are key.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with credentials and experience (~$60,000 starting range) Insurance and pension through the Louisiana Annual Conference is provided for qualified clergy. A health insurance stipend is offered otherwise.

Candidates from outside Louisiana, from other denominations, and non-clergy are also encouraged to apply.

Interested persons should email a resume, cover letter, and two references

to Alex Sloan ([email protected]) by June 1, 2024.

Further applications may be accepted past the due date at the discretion of the board of directors.

Organization: NOLA Wesley

Contact: Alex Sloan

Phone: 6157153144

Closing Date: 06/01/2024

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