The strategic realignment of mission focus and resources was unveiled for delegates attending the 121st Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Grand Rapids by Curt Peterson, world mission executive minister.

The plan calls for restructuring the Department of World Mission into four new divisions: administration and finance, personnel, mission mobilization and connection, and mission advancement and communication.

Key objectives in the new focus include:

• Align mission with the realities of a changing world
• Achieve greater ministry effectiveness and enhanced stewardship of resources
• Increase leadership and support for mission personnel
• Mobilize and connect with the local churches and international believers through mission partnerships

"The way in which needs around the world are being addressed has changed dramatically in recent years," notes Curt Peterson, executive minister of Covenant World Mission. "Local churches are playing a more direct role and various international ministries are partnering in new and creative ways, which requires us to reconsider the most effective ways in which we can invest limited resources to achieve the most effective results."

To read a story detailing key changes within the department, please see New Mission Focus Responds to Changing World.

The two positions currently available are director of mission mobilization and connection, and director of personnel. Both positions will report to the executive minister of world mission and will assume their responsibilities in September/October. Following are brief outlines of the responsibilities and qualifications for these positions.

Director of Mission Mobilization and Connection

This position serves as a catalyst to help local Covenant churches and leaders develop vision and mobilize for global mission, connecting them with mission opportunities with which they can partner by going, giving and praying. It also is responsible for providing resources and training events that enable Covenanters to engage mission work more effectively; connecting Covenant World Mission work to Covenant churches through a variety of media, materials, speaking engagements, networking and events; and connecting the vision and initiatives of local Covenant churches to effective mission partnerships, to other local churches with similar vision, and to Covenant World Mission.

Qualifications include a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university; at least four years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The successful candidate must have some cross-cultural mission experience, i.e. mission trips, short-term missionary service, and must be able to travel internationally and domestically at least 40 percent of the time (sometimes on short notice). This individual must be a self-starter, have highly developed entrepreneurial instincts, and excellent communication and articulation skills. The successful candidate also needs to be comfortable leading leaders, possess computer literacy/problem-solving skills including photo processing programs, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and email programs, and must be willing to live in the Chicago region and work out of Covenant offices.

The individual must have a commitment to the mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church and the purposes of the world mission department. The person must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills and the ability to handle a variety of tasks and responsibilities in a professional and prompt manner. The individual must have the ability to work with limited direction, take initiative, and have the ability to plan and carry out responsibilities by organizing their own schedule and duties in order to complete responsibilities. The individual must be able to demonstrate great attention to detail. The position demands accuracy and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Good judgment is necessary. The person must be tactful and possess highly developed communication skills (written and verbal, English) and be able to communicate effectively with administration, staff, and others with whom this position has contact.

Competence in supervision and ability to motivate, direct and encourage employees, leaders and pastors is necessary. This individual must demonstrate skills in assessing problems and planning and evaluating solutions in relationship to management of employee and missionary needs. The position also requires the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

Director of Personnel

This position recruits, assesses, trains, orients, and sustains missionaries serving international ministries on behalf of Covenant World Mission. This position also provides pastoral care for missionaries and their families, including implementation of a member care program.

This position implements an annual reporting and goals review process for sustaining ministry excellence; oversees the missionary itineration in local churches; helps missionaries anticipate, plan and process life transitions including reassignment, resignation, or retirement; and develops ways to celebrate and honor missionaries for their ministry service.

Qualifications include a master's degree or equivalent in theological or mission education, with six to eight years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The successful candidate will hold license or ordination in the Evangelical Covenant Church, have pastoral and/or missionary experience, demonstrate effective conflict management expertise, possess effective counseling skills, and possess computer literacy/problem-solving skills in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and email programs. The individual must be able to travel internationally and domestically at least 20 percent of the time (sometimes on short notice) and must be willing to live in the Chicago region and work out of Covenant offices.

The successful candidate must have a commitment to the mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church and the purposes of the World Mission Department. The person must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, and the ability to handle a variety of tasks and responsibilities in a professional and prompt manner. The individual must have the ability to work with limited direction, take initiative, and have the ability to plan and carry out responsibilities by organizing their own schedule and duties in order to complete responsibilities. The individual must be able to demonstrate great attention to detail. The position demands accuracy and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Good judgment is necessary. The person must be tactful and possess highly developed communication skills (written and verbal, English) and be able to communicate effectively with administration, staff, and others with whom this position has contact.

Competence in supervision and the ability to motivate, direct and encourage employees and missionaries is necessary. This individual also must demonstrate skills in assessing problems and planning and evaluating solutions in relationship to management of employee and missionary needs. The position requires the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

More complete job descriptions are available by contact the Human Resources Department at Covenant offices.

Qualified candidates should submit a letter and resume no later than Friday, August 4, to Curt Peterson at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 5101 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625. Material also may be sent by email to curt.peterson@covchurch.org. Inquiries after this date are welcome if the position remains open.