Disability Minister

Are you interested in working for a Christian-based organization where you can make a real impact within local families, the church and the community? Do you have experience and a passion to work with the disability community? Do you have experience developing programs and empowering volunteers? If so, we would love to speak with you!

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is hiring a Disability Minister. Reporting to the Pastor of Family Life, this position will develop and implement programs for families within the Church and partner with the community around Naperville to build the Disability Ministry.

Position Summary:

Job Location: This is an onsite position in Naperville, IL. There is some flexibility to work from home on an as needed basis.

Hours: Full time including Sundays, some evenings, and 1 Saturday per month.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000 annually based on education, training, and previous work experience.

Benefits:

• Paid time off including paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and a personnel day.
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employer contribution of 6% to retirement account
• A discount on Good Shepherd Preschool tuition

Organization Overview:

Good Shepherd Church is focused on serving the spiritual needs of our local community and on leveraging the time, talents and financial resources of people in this area to help others in our community, across the nation and around the world. Good Shepherd has over 20 employees and about 700 active members who attend congregation weekly. They also have over 15 different ministries to connect with members of the church ranging from children, teens, and adults as well as focused ministries such as grief support and mental health awareness. In addition, Good Shepherd has a preschool focused on early education for children 2.5-5 years old. To learn more about our church and different ministries, please visit https://gshepchurch.org/.

Responsibilities:

Vision and Leadership

• Develops the vision and strategy for the Disability Ministry in partnership with the Family Life Pastor.
• Serves as an advocate and pastoral presence for individuals with disabilities and their families.
• Recruits, trains, and build volunteer teams to execute the vision and direction of the ministry.

Program and Ministry Development

• Develop and lead ongoing disability specific programs such as respite care, family support groups, sibling support, and adult focused gatherings
• Collaborate on curriculum adaptations, accessible learning experiences, and appropriate policies for the ministry
• Lead ministry opportunities for children and students with disabilities
• Consider how to expand opportunities for young adults and adults with disabilities

Team Development

• Hire, lead, direct, and support the work of the entire Disability Ministry team (staff and volunteers)
• Partner with schools, other churches, and outside organizations to recruit, train, and expand opportunities for the disability community

Community Engagement

• Serve as a thought leader by networking with churches, schools, therapy centers, and community organizations
• Promote Disability Ministry in collaboration with the Communications team to increase awareness and participation

Administrative

• Create and manage the Disability Ministry budget
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and church-wide events
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, Religious Studies, or related field and 3+ years of work experience or equivalent combination of work experience and training.
• Growing personal relationship with Jesus, passion to share the Gospel and a commitment to understanding the Mission and Outcomes of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
• Ability to commit to worship and serve with the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with individuals with disabilities and their families
• Knowledge of current practices and trends in disability ministries.
• Ability to recruit, lead, and develop teams
• Planning, organizing, managing logistics for activities and events

To Apply: If you have a calling to work with people with disabilities and help them and their families grow their relationship with Jesus, we would like to hear from you! Please submit a cover letter and a resume by clicking the apply button.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is an equal opportunity employer

Key Words: Ministry Director, Disability Manager, Disability Director, Disability Specialist, All Abilities Ministry