ACM Position Description

Associate Conference Minister Position Description

Title:  Full-time Associate Conference Minister (accountability to the Conference Minister)

Scope of Ministry:  This “Southern ACM” position will provide primary support, care and staff resourcing to 75 congregations and all authorized ministers in the Southwest Association and a portion of the Southeast Association (see map).  The portfolio will also include some conference-wide programmatic and project responsibilities, in consultation with the Conference Minister and collaboration with staff.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Guide Pastoral Transitions (develop expertise in the profile and candidate process)
• Communicate all Search & Call information with the Search and Call Coordinator
• Staff and Resource Association Church & Ministry Teams
• Staff and Resource Association Administrative Teams
• Guide Members In Discernment and those seeking Privilege of Call or Lay Authorization
• Provide Support and Accountability Care to authorized ministers and congregations
• Preach/Participate in worship (anniversaries, ordinations, installations, invitations)
• Attend monthly field staff, wider ACM staff and full staff meetings
• Attend Association, Conference, AM21 and General Synod meetings
• Utilize leadership skills in conflict resolution and guiding compensation negotiation

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Guide congregations to resources related to organizational change and re-visioning ministry
• Encourage cohort learning for clergy – Mentor, Coach and Communities of Practice
• Cultivate opportunities for shared ministries and openness to emerging ministry models
• Develop a working knowledge of the Manual on Ministry and MESA best practices
• Promote Justice Work and foster ecumenical relationships with Judicatory colleagues

Candidate Qualifications:

• Theology and Social Justice Stances consistent with UCC
• Sensitivity and skill in bridging a range of perspectives
• Authorized Standing in the United Church of Christ
• Significant local church pastoral experience
• Strong Team player and trust builder
• Attentiveness to self-care
• Strategic Collaborator
• Spiritual Depth
• Pastoral Heart
• Significant Leadership aptitude
• Non-anxious presence
• Exceptional self-motivator
• Gifts in discerning priorities and managing time
• Strong EQ and Self-Awareness
• Excellent Communication Skillset
• Joyful, positive, gracious, resilient spirit

Conference Snapshot:  The Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ (/) consists of four associations, 218 congregations and approximately 40,000 people. The Conference Staff is comprised of 11 talented team members.  Our Conference office – the Trost Center – is located just north of Madison and provides a spacious and beautiful setting for ministry and Wider Church meetings. The congregations of the Wisconsin Conference are hearty, faithful and resilient. We savor our long and rich history from both the Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed traditions, yet we also welcome new models for ministry and innovative ways to engage the world spiritually and prophetically.

The Churches of the Wisconsin Conferences continue to provide steady support to Our Church’s Wider Mission and to our UCC special offerings.  Many of our congregations have cultivated thriving community-based ministries and active justice working groups.  Our Outdoor Ministries inspire people of all generations through two incredible Camp and Retreat settings – Pilgrim Center (located on Green Lake) and Moon Beach Camp (located in the far north near Eagle River).  We are also fortunate to have a thriving Lay Academy and newly launched Damascus Project (a shared theological education endeavor with the Minnesota Conference).  Currently, the Conference is busy preparing to host General Synod 32 June 21-25, 2019 in Milwaukee.

Residential expectation: We anticipate this ACM will reside in the greater Madison area.

Compensation:  The salary/housing range is 68-72K along with the full complement of benefits.

Application:  Please direct your UCC profile to Susan Taylor at the Conference Office (email or 608-846-7880) and forward a cover letter that responds to these questions:  1) Why are you interested in judicatory work, and in particular, why this position?  2) What unique skills, gifts and experiences would you bring to this ministry?

Application Deadline: March 31, 2019

Anticipated start date:  August 1, 2019

Contact Person:  Rev. Franz Rigert, Conference Minister (email or 414-704-2625)