As a part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Director of the Preach All Ways Initiative to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by engaging and empowering leaders to develop compelling preaching forms to reach youth navigating major questions of meaning, identity, and relationships. Reporting to the Vice President of Mission and Ministry, and working closely with the Chair of the Theology Department, the director will be deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition, and, from that tradition, (a) organize a roundtable to develop new forms of preaching through interdisciplinary research, (b) adapt training and formation for preachers to utilize new methods, (c) empower leaders to take preaching beyond the walls of the Church, and (d) cultivate a new, more diverse generation of preachers to be called and equipped.
As indicated by the title, Preach All Ways seeks to support traditional homiletic preaching and preaching by lay Catholics in areas well traversed and those yet unexplored. Therefore, the ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of Catholic preaching traditions, including, but not limited to, homiletic preaching. Additionally, s/he will be gifted and experienced in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in a variety of forms which may include retreat presentations, personal witnesses, digital forms including social media, speaking engagements, or homiletic preaching.
Preach All Ways is a “start-up” ministry. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial and have a joy-filled missionary spirit. S/he will be creative, highly organized, opportunity focused, and collaborative. The ideal candidate will be a strong teacher with the ability to empower others in preaching.
Preach All Ways is created through the generous funding of Lilly Endowment. The position is fully funded through December 2028 with the goal of continuing the program after the grant period has ended. The selected candidate will be supported by a project specialist.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.
- Organize the Relational Preaching Roundtable to develop new forms of preaching (30%). This includes working with Springtide Research, Inc. to conduct original research, gather a cohort of experts in preaching, and hold roundtable gatherings (virtual and in-person).
- Create an online Certificate in Relational Preaching to empower diverse preachers (40%). This includes working with roundtable participants to develop modules, coordinating with the Marian University Offices for Online Learning, as well as driving participation and enrollment in the certificate.
- Coordinating the Preach All Ways Challenge (20%). This includes working with partner organizations to identify and prepare young preachers (high school and college students) to share crafted messages at the National Eucharistic Congress and other gatherings.
- Additional responsibilities as assigned. (10%)
University Expectations:
- Knowledge of and a commitment to the mission of Marian University
- Adheres to Marian University’s policies and procedures.
- Shows courtesy and respect in interactions with fellow employees, students subordinates, and supervisors.
- Communicates regularly with supervisor about Department issues.
- Meets department productivity standards.
- Participates in developing department goals, objective, and systems.
- Assists to establish department measurements that align and support the accomplishment of the University’s strategic goals.
- Adheres to the department budget.
