Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards. 

The Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship is responsible for assisting the pastor with the overall evangelization and ministry efforts in the parish to ensure that everyone in the parish encounters Jesus Christ and deepens their commitment to him and his Church. As a member of the archdiocesan Office for Parish Renewal, the scope of the role is to support, accompany, equip and lead lay leaders in discerning and implementing evangelization and ministry efforts. Taking direction from the Parish Renewal Leader, the director is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and ongoing improvement of the evangelization and ministry initiatives and is responsible for managing other ministry staff members at the parish. The director must demonstrate strong leadership skills necessary to support a fully formed staff, critical to the success of parish ministry.

Job Description:

The Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship is responsible for assisting the pastor with the overall evangelization and ministry efforts in the parish to ensure that everyone in the parish encounters Jesus Christ and deepens their commitment to him and his Church. As a member of the archdiocesan Office for Parish Renewal, the scope of the role is to support, accompany, equip and lead lay leaders in discerning and implementing evangelization and ministry efforts. Taking direction from the Parish Renewal Leader, the director is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and ongoing improvement of the evangelization and ministry initiatives and is responsible for managing other ministry staff members at the parish. The director must demonstrate strong leadership skills necessary to support a fully formed and well-functioning staff and volunteer teams critical to the success of parish ministry. 

• Collaborate with the Parish Renewal Leader (PRL), Pastor, and others on implementing the vision that best enables the parish to offer ways for all parishioners to encounter Jesus Christ and be formed as missionary disciples, including: 

• Lead the Evangelization Team and their efforts, particularly focusing on a Kerygmatic soft entry point and the discipleship pathway. 

• Coordinate the welcome, accompaniment, and engagement of new individuals and families in the parish. 

• Create a culture of ongoing discipleship growth focusing on the use of and engagement in small faith communities and retreats. 

• Direct the recruitment, training and accompaniment of individuals entrusted with leadership of relevant parish ministries. 

• Supervise and support ministry staff and volunteer leads in implementing the parish vision of evangelization and missionary discipleship. 

• Collaborate with the Parish Renewal Leader, Pastor, and Director of Operations to develop an annual budget for the pastoral ministries. 

• Direct special projects or ministries as requested by the Parish Renewal Leader. 

Job Requirements 

• Experience in a parish that demonstrates ability to engage parishioners and non-parishioners in the process of evangelization and community building. 

• Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of inclusion and to engender a spirit of hospitality and welcome. 

• Demonstrated expertise in collaborating with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers. 

• Ability to direct the work of other staff and volunteers to drive key initiatives and programs. 

• Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.  

• Comprehensive vision, and expertise in evangelization. 

• Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment and sending forth. 

• Mature discipleship evidenced in ability to comfortably witness to one’s own faith journey. 

• Developed skills in leadership and management; strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork. 

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.  

• Familiarity with technology used for communicating and presenting.  

• Open to ongoing formation / education as needed. 

• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, collaborative, faithful, joyful witness, persistent, available, fair and balanced, dependable, person of integrity, sensitive to cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity and openness to the needs of the parishioners.  

• Ability to deal with multiple projects, flexible, sound judgment, and comfortable with change. 

• Ability to work evenings and weekends. 

Preferred Job Skills and Experience 

• Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies, Theology, Faith Formation or equivalent. 
• Three or more years as part of a parish staff. 
• Language skills as need (depending on needs of community). 

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.

This position has an annualized salary range of - $58,662.98 - $73,328.73.  An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.