Director for Latino Ministries

Description

This posting will close September 28, 2026, at 11:00 pm central time.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.7 million members in more than 8.300 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world.

The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA churchwide staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation.

We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries:
The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

Discover the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | ELCA

Through the Service and Justice unit, the ELCA Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates this church’s engagement in service and promotes efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries; engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church;

and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice.

This role provides advice, counsel, and services to the ELCA in assessing and responding to the needs and opportunities of Latino ministries; oversees implementation of the Latino Ministry Strategy across churchwide units and synods; develops Latino-specific policies, programs, projects, and resources in collaboration with churchwide units, synods, congregations, and ELCA institutions; cultivates durable relationships with Latino rostered ministers, lay leaders, congregations, and community partners;

and works in close partnership with the Asociación Luterana de Ministerios Latinos (AML)*.

This is a full time, regular, exempt, Chicago-based hybrid role. The person in this role is required to be in the office a minimum of 2 days each week and more as needed.

The eligibility of a candidate for positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

• 1. Provides advice, counsel, and service to churchwide units, synods, and congregations in matters concerning Latino ministries.
• 2. Oversees implementation of the ELCA Latino Ministry Strategy across churchwide units and synods, and within the first year of hire, leads a collaborative revision of the Strategy with the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos (AML) to reflect current demographic growth and emerging needs.
• 3. Oversees along with other MDCC staff the implementation of the unit’s Strategic Ministry Plan.
• 4. Develops and delivers support programs for Latino rostered ministers and lay leaders serving in congregations, synods, institutions, and churchwide units, and advocates on their behalf.
• 5. In collaboration with other ELCA units and the Office of the Secretary, maintains an updated directory of ELCA Latino rostered persons, lay leaders, congregations, ministries, programs, and resources.
• 6. In collaboration…