Executive Director of Black Church Leadership

Job Title: Executive Director of Black Church Leadership

Reports To: Provost

Location: Hybrid

Pay: $80,554.00 – $

Denver Seminary is a multidenominational graduate school committed to preparing men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life‑changing truth of Scripture. Through rigorous educational programs and a mentoring‑focused community, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, equipping them to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world.

The Executive Director of Black Church Leadership serves as a visionary steward and relational catalyst, called to fortify the leadership of historically Black and multi‑ethnic congregations by bridging the gap between traditional theological education and the lived experience of the Black Church. Rooted in Denver Seminary’s core commitments, this role honors the resilience and spiritual legacy of these faith communities by establishing seamless, spirit‑led pathways for leaders to transition from non‑degree training to graduate‑level excellence.

By collaborating across Advancement and Enrollment offices, the Executive Director ensures that “faithful gospel ministry” is not just an academic goal, but a lived reality of reconciliation and empowerment that equips a new generation to flourish in their divine calling for the glory of God. The reporting relationship to the VPAA/Academic Dean considers significant work with and input from the leadership of the Advancement and Enrollment and Student Success (ESS) offices.

• Develop strategic educational resources and programming reflecting Denver Seminary’s evangelical beliefs and mission
• Regular presence in Black Church and multi‑ethnic congregational communities for partnership development and institutional representation
• Quarterly travel (at a minimum) to Washington, D.C. for on‑site leadership, relationship cultivation, and program coordination.
• Create reciprocal partnerships where Denver Seminary both contributes to and learns from Black Church and multi‑ethnic church communities. Foundational to these partnerships is the growth and enhancement of the Denver Seminary Lay Ministry certificate program
• Work with the leadership of ESS to create pathways for expanding the number of students in the Lay Ministry Program to matriculate into graduate degree programs
• Supervise the Washington D.C. Campus director and Community Liaison or other D.C. staff to coordinate efforts of that campus with the Lay Ministry Program to encourage and empower Lay Ministry graduates to matriculate into degree programs with the D.C. campus.
• Direct the budget for Black Church Initiatives with strategic focus on program development, partnerships, and student support.
• Recruit, hire, and support adjunct faculty to serve in Black Church programming.
• Develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, and represent the Christian beliefs and mission of the seminary in the Black Church.
• Initiate and shape institutional policies that affect students and partnerships related to the Black Church.
• Work with the Advancement department in developing scholarship support and financial pathways that honor the financial realities facing students called to Black Church or multi‑ethnic congregation ministry.
• Oversee the Urban Track of the Lilly Pathways grant.
  • Based on research that identified the unique needs, opportunities, challenges, and best practices for providing contextually appropriate theological education to Black Churches, implement the design for graduate credit‑based theological education proposals that will respond to the learnings of the research phase with appropriate content, delivery modalities, faculty selection, and price structures.
  • Lead the implementation and assessment of all new theological education initiatives for Black Churches with a view toward refinement and sustainability of those programs.
  • Nurture relationships with the partners cultivated in the grant. Through this, cultivate a network of scholar‑practitioners who bring Black Church wisdom and experience into…