Candler School of Theology invites applications and nominations for the founding director of a program that will expand theological education beyond the scope of the school’s traditional graduate and professional degrees. The successful candidate will be appointed to a non-tenure track faculty position with a renewable eleven-month contract, will report to Candler’s Dean, and will serve on the Dean’s Council. Both rank and field are open. Preference will be given to complete applications submitted by October 1, 2018.

The landscape of theological education is rapidly shifting, in terms both of the modes of theological education and of the institutions delivering that education. The founding director will lead Candler’s initiatives in partnering with congregations, denominations, NGOs, and other institutions in order to make excellent theological education available to the increasing number of people pursuing theological education outside of traditional degree structures. To this end, the director will develop creative church-based initiatives in partnership with pastors and other religious leaders, and identify new opportunities for theological education in emerging contexts. The director will work with Candler’s media and technology teams to publicize these offerings and develop the best platforms for them. The successful candidate will have a vision for the contributions a university-based school of theology can make to theological education that directly serves both the church and the wider society. The successful candidate will be capable of working effectively with diverse partners in academic institutions, churches, and other organizations, and will have demonstrated abilities for starting and leading major initiatives.

The responsibilities of the position include:

  1. Extending systematically and creatively the reach of Candler’s mission to non-degree seeking persons
  2. Serving the church and Christian communities, as well as seekers interested in Christian educational resources
  3. Building a long-range vision of public education inspired by Candler’s rich faculty resources
  4. Drawing on faculty and other resources at Emory to make faculty expertise more public
  5. Recruiting and inspiring Candler faculty to participate in such programs
  6. Liaising with and inviting senior leaders in the church to be resources for Candler educational ventures
  7. Bringing greater coherence and collaboration to the vast array of Candler’s public events, maximizing impact and audiences through close collaboration with the programs’ directors (i.e., Baptist Studies; Black Church Studies; Catholic Studies; Contextual Education; DMin degree program; Episcopal Studies; Laney Program in Moral Leadership; Methodist Studies; Religious Education; Women, Theology and Ministry; World Christianity; Religion and Health; and others)
  8. Coordinating existing programming with new programming
  9. Reaching new audiences with new media
  10. Teaching in numerous venues and formats as the program develops
  11. Exploring the possibility of offering certificate programs
  12. Exploring post-professional models of theological education
  13. Helping to brand Candler’s work in this arena
  14. Writing and seeking grants to support the program
  15. Establishing a sustainable business plan to support the position and programming
  16. Administering a budget to support the program
  17. Supervising a part-time staff person who supports the program
  18. Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate for the position will:

  1. Have a vision for the future of Christian communities and the role and purpose of education in them
  2. Combine intellectual depth with capacity to communicate with lay audiences
  3. Demonstrate a commitment to research and scholarship appropriate to the candidate’s field
  4. Be deeply immersed in the creative use of digital pedagogy
  5. Have demonstrated the ability to start and lead significant new initiatives
  6. Hold a doctorate (PhD or equivalent preferred)

Women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ persons and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply, as are candidates within the Wesleyan tradition (e.g., UMC, AME, AMEZ, CME, Nazarene).

Applications for this position should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, an official transcript of the highest degree earned, writing sample, and three confidential letters of recommendation. At later stages in the review process applicants may be asked to provide a sample of their work in digital media (e.g, podcast, videography, or web-based instruction).

Candidates should apply online at: <insert job posting link here> by uploading the letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and writing sample. Letters of recommendation should be sent by recommenders and transcripts should be sent from the granting institution to: Public Theological Education, c/o Ms. Robyn Pollette, Faculty Development and Support Services, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, if sent in hard copy; if sent electronically, email documents in Microsoft Word or PDF to rwpolle@emory.edu. Direct any questions to Dr. Anthony Briggman, Search Chair, at anthony.a.briggman@emory.edu.

The committee will begin reviewing applications in early October with an anticipated, though flexible, start date of January 2, 2019.

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