The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) welcomes applications and nominations to fill a newly endowed faculty chair, the Damm Chair in Leadership, to nurture leaders for congregations, religious organizations, and nonprofits. This position is tenure-eligible with open rank.

We seek a practitioner scholar with a record of inspiring teaching who can (1) prepare master’s students for ministry and other vocations by developing skills in change management, conflict transformation, operations and finance, resource development, and other key organizational areas, (2) integrate leadership studies into LSTC’s curriculum, and (3) envision additional audiences for initiatives to enhance pastoral, diaconal, and other forms of leadership including alumni, contextual education supervisors, LSTC faculty and staff, and lay leaders.

Responsibilities of the Damm Chair in Leadership include:

•  Teaching courses at the masters (MDiv, MA, MAM) and doctoral (DMin) level
• Cultivating a theological understanding of leadership for curricular and cocurricular formation
• Mentoring students, including those preparing for initial ordained and lay ministry as well as advanced (DMin) and continuing education students
• Contributing to the life of a publicly engaged community of learning as it helps to shape the future of Lutheran theological education in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and throughout the world

Candidates should hold an academic doctorate or comparable terminal degree and demonstrate capacity for research, publication, and teaching. Strong preference will be given to candidates who are ordained pastors or deacons in the ELCA or full communion partners. Candidates should demonstrate an explicit commitment to antiracism and openness to prioritize training in antiracism.

LSTC is committed to producing culturally competent ministerial leaders for the public church. Active involvement in the church, including the worship life of the seminary, is an essential criterion. We affirm that diversity is necessary in all components of the school, including its theological curriculum and faculty. LSTC seeks to foster gender, racial-ethnic, and international diversity within its faculty. We welcome candidates fluent in languages other than English that may enrich our mission in the highly diverse Chicago metropolitan area.

Please submit a letter of application, CV, names and contact information for three references, and a statement of up to 1,000 words describing your understanding of how education for leadership contributes to today’s church and world. All materials should be submitted via the application portal.

Questions may be addressed to Dr. Esther Menn, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, at DammChair@lstc.edu. Please submit applications by January 6, 2023.

About the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, forms visionary leaders who bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. It provides high-quality seminary and graduate education in a community that is global, multicultural, ecumenical, interfaith, and urban. LSTC faculty members provide resources for church and academy through their research, writing, and workshops and presentations around the world. Graduates serve in every type of ministry setting as they work to realize the gospel vision of peace and justice. To learn more about LSTC, visit www.lstc.edu.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.