Voice of Care, a 501c3 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Recognized Service Organization, seeks a part-time (80 hours per month) Ministry Facilitator. Voice of Care equips churches to reach and serve people with disabilities and their caregivers, providing resources and training in five key focus areas: Congregational Ministries, Facilities Ministry, Disability Awareness Ministry, Outdoor Ministry, and Respite Care Ministry.
The primary duty of a Ministry Facilitator is to connect with each congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod within the region they serve. This contact should include telling the story of Voice of Care, recruiting ministry sites within each circuit, and recruiting volunteers to serve at these sites and also facilities for people with disabilities located within the region. Furthermore, the Ministry Facilitator would train and oversee these volunteers until such time that they can maintain the ministry themselves. The Ministry Facilitator would have a relationship with facilities for people with disabilities within their region so to offer chaplaincy services when needed beyond what the volunteers could do. As time and opportunity presents itself, the Ministry Facilitator under the leadership of the Director of Ministry Facilitators may connect with congregations outside of the LCMS while retaining the theological position of Voice of Care.
Minimum Criteria for a Pastor Ministry Facilitator (as a called and ordained Pastor, active or retired)
Be eligible to be a rostered member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate personal values consistent with the Voice of Care mission.
Ability to articulate the Voice of Care vision from personal faith perspective that is consistent with Lutheran theology that is grace-based, sacramental and scriptural.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and strengthen community relationships.
Be able to review/enhance programs being offered or considered by churches; to maximize their potential, economy and effectiveness in communities we serve.
Make hospital visits when appropriate.
Support other Ministry Facilitators, when needed, in the case of memorial services.
Minimum Criteria for a Commissioned Ministry Facilitator:
Be eligible to be a rostered member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate personal values consistent with the Voice of Care mission.
Ability to articulate the Voice of Care vision from personal faith perspective that is consistent with Lutheran theology that is grace-based, sacramental and scriptural.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and strengthen community relationships.
Be able to review/enhance programs being offered or considered by churches; to maximize their potential, economy and effectiveness in communities we serve.
Minimum Criteria for a non-rostered Ministry Facilitator: (as a lay church member, with a background in the field of special education, social work, counseling, or experiences among people with disabilities).
Be an active member, in good standing, of a church in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, with Pastoral recommendation.
Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate personal values consistent with the Voice of Care mission.
Ability to articulate the Voice of Care vision from personal faith perspective that is consistent with Lutheran theology that is grace-based, sacramental and scriptural.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and strengthen community relationships.
Current Estimation of Hours Per Month for Assuming Duties: Connecting with each congregation in the region35 hrs./44%
Have continual “touches” with each Partner Church each year. Sustaining Partner Church is a church that financially supports Voice of Care. “Touches” are points of contact which will allow the Partner Church to see the value of supporting Voice of Care. These “touches” will include a thank you visit (at least to the pastor if not the whole congregation), hand delivering of the newsletter to the secretary (emphasizing posting of such newsletter), a personal invitation to the Voice of Care annual meeting, and an encouragement to attend Voice of Care events in the area.
Attend a circuit visitation meeting of each circuit in the region on an annual basis. If Voice of Care has a new program, then asking to present the program.
Consult either in person or by phone with each Ministry Site within the region on an annual basis. A Ministry Site is a church doing intentional ministry among people with disabilities.
Develop a strategic plan to move churches to either be a Partner church or a Ministry Site, under the leadership of the Director of Ministry Facilitators.
Recruiting and Training Volunteers 24 hrs./30%
Assist in writing or enhancing of training materials as necessary and directed by the Director of Ministry Facilitators.
Set up and execute the training programs Voice of Care has to offer within the region.
Conduct a recruitment seminar. A recruitment seminar is using the existing Voice of Care PowerPoint but inserting volunteer opportunities specific for the congregations attending.
Maintaining Facilities and Cultivating new ones 16 hrs./20% Facilities are outside organizations who work among people with disabilities and desire to address their spiritual needs with the “Jesus Time” program of Voice of Care or by bringing their clients to a Ministry Site program.
Ministry Facilitator, may conduct devotional services, memorial services, as well as any other service provided by Ministry Facilitators.
After assessing the gifts and talents of the recruited volunteers, the Ministry Facilitator will train volunteers to take over the ministry at that facility.
The Ministry Facilitator will research the region to find new facilities that may desire the services of Voice of Care and to then recruit the congregations in that area to provide the “Jesus Time” at the facility or or a program led by the congregation.
General Office Work and Spiritual/Professional Growth 5 hrs./6% The Ministry Facilitator is expected to maintain a professional relationship with Voice of Care, and its leadership, by undertaking the following:
Regular communications with Director of Ministry Facilitators, including staff meetings.
Submitting appropriate and accurate Time and Mileage Sheets.
Completion of reports determined by Director Ministry Facilitators, Executive Director, or Board of Voice of Care.
Ongoing development of Spiritual and professional growth, using Lead like Jesus materials, other assigned readings, and/or personal materials.
Maintaining membership in good standing with regular attendance at Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod of their choice. In good standing is considered as taking an active role, within their home congregation, volunteering and participating beyond the weekly Worship service. Regular attendance is considered attending an LCMS church at least 3 of 4 weekends within a month.
Whenever possible, develop a disability ministry at his/her home church lending credibility to all churches should be welcoming to people with disabilities and their caregivers.