Reports to: Bishop
Classification: Exempt
Status: Full-time: 40+ hours/week
Salary Range: Commensurate with education and experience
The Canon to the Ordinary for Care of Clergy & Congregations serves as part of the Bishop’s senior staff, along with the Canon to the Ordinary for Mission, Vitality, and Administration. The Canon extends the vision and ministry of the Bishop throughout the diocese and works toward the fulfillment of the diocesan vision, summarized by the statement: “Grounded in Christ, Growing Anew.” The Canon serves a vital role in carrying out plans and decisions to nurture the wellbeing of clergy and congregations while remaining grounded in, and guided by, the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. The Canon is also a key person who looks after the continued development of the diocesan priorities regarding communications and fellowship.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Care for Clergy
- Assist the Bishop in recognizing and responding to the pastoral needs of diocesan clergy.
- Assist the Bishop in maintaining communication with the clergy of the diocese, sharing clergy-related news; develop creative ways to regularly communicate practical information, such as pertinent canonical or worship-related snippets.
- Provide high-level planning support for clergy events, such as the annual Clergy Conference.
- Serve as a resource for clergy who are seeking a new call, educating clergy on search/discernment process; Ensure that departing clergy (retiring or taking a new call) understand the boundaries that must be maintained with the parish they are leaving, exploring and implementing methods for supporting clergy during various types of transitions (retirements, new calls, transfers in and out).
- Interact with candidates in the ordination process and with the newly ordained to gain familiarity with their gifts and call and to help support them in their transition from lay to ordained ministry, including serving as the Bishop’s liaison with the Commission on Ministry.
- Manage all aspects of the Diocesan Curacy program.
- Serve as one of the diocesan Recorders of Ordinations.
- Oversee the clergy licensing process.
- Maintain the Clergy Directory.
- Oversee the Diocese’s adherence to Safe Church practices and policies, remaining attuned to new guidance, requirements, and resources issued by The Episcopal Church.
Diocesan Communication & Fellowship
- Oversee diocesan communication, collaborating with the Director of Communications and the Communications Team to improve communication and advance relevant recommendations made to the Communication Team, especially as it relates to regular types of content in newsletter(s) and other media.
- Propose and help develop potential new forms of diocesan communication.
- Encourage collaboration and communication between parishes to foster a greater sense of shared ministry and effective stewardship of resources.
- Communicate a vision of congregational life that helps parishes live out the mission of Christ’s Church in their local context.
- Serves as the Bishop’s Liaison to the Fellowship Team, helping to the team to develop relevant ways and events that promote the development and nurture of relationship across members of the Diocese.
Care for Congregations
- Provide guidance and support to wardens, vestries, and discernment/search committees to help ensure that parishes thrive during a transition process.
- Provide guidance and support to parishes transitioning from full-time to part-time clergy leadership.
- Help larger parishes, as needed, plan for the continuation of worship, sacraments, and pastoral care during extended periods of clergy absence such as sabbaticals and disability leave.
- Collaborates with the Small Church Missioner as needed for effective use of resources.
- Maintain a Clergy Supply List and distribute it to parishes as needed.
- Preach and celebrate the Eucharist regularly (two or three times a month, as time permits) at various parishes to help provide spiritual care, nurture greater diocesan connection with congregations, and encourage them in service and mission, especially during times of transitions.
- Foster among our parishes a habit of prayerful reflection on their life and ministry through engagement in such processes as Appreciative Inquiry and Mutual Ministry Reflection.
- Collect and develop resources representing standards, expectations, and best practices of the transition process, directing parishes to helpful resources and expertise available within our diocese and throughout the larger Church.
- Engage with other transition ministers throughout Province III, the Transition Ministry Conference, and The Episcopal Church to share and learn best practices and to collaborate in addressing issues related to clergy staffing and deployment.
- Serve as the diocesan Disaster Emergency Liaison, guiding the development of a plan for diocesan disaster emergency response.
- Ensure that parish closures are handled with proper care, tending to the continuing spiritual needs of parishioners, helping them in their grief, and honoring the past.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Faith-filled, Prayerful, and Reflective of God’s Love: Trusts in God’s providence, especially in the face of challenging situations; Seeks to serve Christ in all persons and be joyful and eager to share the Gospel Jesus Christ.
- Collaborative and Ethical Leader: Promotes and generates cooperation to achieve a collective outcome; adheres to an appropriate and effective set of core values and beliefs during both successful and challenging times; acts in line with those values and coaches accordingly.
- Skilled Communicator: excels in various forms of communication and enjoys the process.
- Wise Advisor: An active listener and skilled communicator who addresses challenges and opportunities with honest analysis and appropriate best practices; offers advice to a wide range of leaders with varied styles and congregational contexts.
- Strategic Problem Solver: Thinks strategically to solves difficult problems with effective solutions; values asking questions and sharing insights; recognizes and identifies underlying or hidden problems and patterns; leverages learnings to strengthen others.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, persuasive, oral and written communication skills. In addition, the following demonstrated education and experience are key:
- A bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree preferred, from an accredited university/seminary.
- An experienced Episcopal priest with a minimum of five years of ordination and service in a senior leadership capacity.
- A confidant(e) who is able to work with the Bishop and others regarding confidential pastoral matters.
- A bridge builder who can help others navigate challenging Church trend realities.
- A superb writer and verbal communicator and presenter who can connect with, teach, and inspire others.
- Proven ability to remain objective, discreet and exercise common sense always. Able to develop strong, trusting relationships within the staff and leaders across the diocese and the wider church.
- Able to thrive in a small office environment and work on various projects simultaneously, requiring strong organizational and time management skills.
- Perceptive, pastorally sensitive, and innovative in approach to support our congregations.
Interested clergy should email their resume/CV, OTM or Vocation Hub profile, and letter of interest (describing why you feel called to the position and the gifts you would bring to it) to Canon Joann Saylors at jsaylors@episcopalpgh.org. Applications will be accepted through April 17 or until the position is filled.