Chaplain, Eurasia

Office of International Mission Profile
In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and world.

The Office of International Mission, which relates to the Board for International Mission and implements its policies, is responsible to the President of the Synod through the Chief Mission Officer for the work of the Synod in foreign countries as stated in the Bylaws.

Reporting Relationships

• This position is accountable to the Regional Director for Region.
• Works closely with the LCMS Communications staff to inform and involve LCMS constituents in a meaningful way in the work of LCMS OIM on the field through support-building, newsletter-writing and home-service presentation reporting.

Essential Job Functions

• Commit to an ongoing schedule and strategy for ministry support raising (Network Support Model), Orientation, and initial support building is typically six (6) months.
• Communicate via monthly newsletter to and maintain a relationship with the sending church that includes Together-In-Mission (TIM) congregations as well as other supporting churches, groups, and individuals.
• Complete missionary training and language acquisition plan under the direction of the Regional Director and the Director of Missionary Services.
• Provide spiritual care for missionaries including a regular schedule of in-person visitation.
• Coordinate worship services for regional missionary events.
• Support and resource missionaries in wholistic family discipleship including Bible study, music, and confirmation instruction.
• Support the OIM strategic plan through teaching and preaching opportunities when requested.
• Ensure proper communication, planning, cooperation, and support for an edifying relationship with his fellow missionary team members.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• This position may travel up to 25% of the time.

Education and Experience

• Rostered member status with the LCMS as a minister of religion – ordained, required.
• Master of Divinity degree required.
• 5-7 years’ experience as a congregational pastor preferred.
• Previous experience in cross-cultural ministry and teaching is strongly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• An active member of the LCMS, an LCMS congregation or a congregation of any of its partner churches and personal faithfulness to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
• Solid comprehension of confessional Lutheran theology and ability to clearly articulate the same.
• Demonstrated ILR 2 or higher in local Language preferred. If not proficient, a willingness to participate in a language learning program to achieve such proficiency.
• A strong and proven work ethic and ability to self-start.
• Demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, and necessary problem-solving skills to live and work in another culture.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills that facilitate initiating and maintaining relationships with people both within and outside the church.
• Ability to initiate and maintain relationships with people of another culture.
• Ability to function effectively in both a team setting and autonomously.
• Demonstrated resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and execute tasks.
• Healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being that facilitates carrying on sustained work in challenging environments.
• Demonstrated leadership and diplomatic skills.
• A demonstrated ability to organize, plan, develop and teach.
• Demonstrated skill in communication, both oral and written.
• A demonstrated ability to travel extensively and maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts, psychologically stressful environments, and physical hardship conditions with limited resources.
• An understanding of Lutheran missiology, world cultures, the mission history of the Christian Church, and opportunities for mission outreach.
• Ability to utilize standard technology on the field – laptop, smartphone, and basic connectivity troubleshooting.
• Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the email functions and calendar functions of Microsoft Outlook.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None.