Director of Faith Formation (Religious Education)

Job Description

Director of Faith Formation, St. Francis Parish - Holland

STATUS
Full time (40 hours); Exempt

REPORTS TO
Pastor

DESCRIPTION
Director of Faith Formation is a passionate and dedicated disciple of Jesus who oversees all aspects of the process of discipleship formation in the parish. He/she is responsible for overseeing opportunities for discipleship formation, sacramental preparation, and evangelization efforts. Special attention is given to the New Evangelization paradigm of Encounter, Grow, Witness as outlined in the Diocese of Grand Rapids' curriculum framework. These efforts should ensure that evangelization and mission are at the heart of all programs and groups, helping enable the parish to fulfill the great commission to "Go and make disciples of all nations"

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and collaboration:
• Supervise the Coordinator of OCIA Ministry
• Collaborate with the Coordinator of Ministry of Engagement to help move individuals and families from the stage of initial trust to the states of evangelization: encounter, grow, witness
• Collaborate with key leaders in the parish community to raise up lay leaders in the process of evangelization and discipleship
• Support and help equip ministry leaders, volunteers, and parishioners to be effective evangelizers and disciple makers
• Collaborate with Corpus Christi Catholic School when appropriate
• Collaborate with the parish Safe Environment Coordinator to ensure Safe Environment policies and procedures are followed for all programs

Supervision of Faith Formation offerings and initiatives
• With the recognition that programs do not make disciples, but relationships do: Oversee the parish-wide discipleship process and formation for children, teens, and adults, inspired by Pope Francis's vision of ministry that leads to an encounter with Jesus Christ, accompaniment into Christian community and the formation of missionary disciples
• Oversee the process of sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Confirmation of teens, OCIA-adapted-for-children, OCIA Ministry, and Confirmation of adults
• Involve the family as essential partners in the discipleship process, especially in the formation of children and adolescents
• Support opportunities for adult parishioners to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through offerings such as Alpha Course, Connect (small faith-sharing groups), etc.
• Keep current with Diocesan, national and global trends of the Catholic Church in the field of catechesis

Administration
• Attend all Diocesan-required training sessions and participate in Diocesan/Deanery networking events.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and budgets related to discipleship and evangelization programs.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Candidate must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with a love for the Catholic faith and an understanding, appreciation, and articulation of Pope Francis's vision of evangelization
• Collaborative leadership - ability and willingness to work with ministry leaders and volunteers, particularly in the areas of evangelization and discipleship
• Strategic thinking and project management - discerning and understanding the parish's mission and focus, and how to contribute
• Mentorship of volunteers - developing the ability of others to contribute to the organization and accomplish its mission
• Cultural competence - ability to work with parishioners of various ages and from various cultures and backgrounds
• Independence and flexibility - possess a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments with minimal supervision, while simultaneously adapting behavior or work methods in response to new information
• Knowledge of communication tools (Microsoft Office, database management, and digital media) and ability to use communication for engagement, formation and outreach.
• Commitment to growth in holiness and willingness to seek continuing education in the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Proficiency in Spanish and English is highly desirable

Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in theology or equivalent formal training and/or experience.
• Catechetical Certification in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, or willingness to obtain certification
• Experience in a Catholic parish, school, organization, or diocese related to one or more of the major duties and specific areas of responsibilities.

• This job description might not be inclusive of all the listed duties, responsibilities, or features of the job, and the employer or pastor on its sole discretion might revise them.

About the Employer

Here at St. Francis de Sales, we desire to see a Church alive with passionate disciples who know, love and serve the Lord with gladness and joy. We believe this passionate discipleship is made manifest in the four primary values of our parish.