Associate Minister of Memorial Church and Director of Student Engagement, Office of Religious L

Associate Minister of Memorial Church and Director of Student Engagement, Office of Religious Life at Stanford University Job Purpose

Assist the Dean for Religious Life in the administration of the pastoral aspects of Memorial Church, including liturgical planning, leading worship, preaching, congregational programming, and student engagement. As a member of the ORL leadership team, collaborate in extending the full range of services and programming in matters of religion, spirituality and ethics to students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the university community and their families.

Helps advise on religious policies and issues affecting the well‑being of the campus community.

• Administer the word, order, and sacrament for Memorial Church University Public Worship. Design, lead, and facilitate a rotation of preachers for weekly worship and special religious services including, but not limited to holy days, multi-faith rituals, University commemorations, and vigils in the wake of crisis.
• Direct the work of the Stanford Associated Religious student organizations, including advising individual organizations and providing opportunities for student engagement across the broader Stanford community.
• Facilitate and participate in regular religious multi-faith services and academic ceremonies.
• Provide strategic thinking and collaborate with colleagues and other university offices.
• Provide thoughtful pastoral care for students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the university community regarding emotional, religious, educational, social, vocational and civic issues.
• Console bereaved members of the community through attentive and sensitive pastoral care, including shaping appropriate and tailored memorial services. Consult and provide leadership to university students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the university community on issues of religious concern, such as grief and bereavement and other situations involving religious sensitivities.
• Respond immediately and comprehensively to campus crises. Design, organize and implement highly visible communal ritual responses to crises in the world and in the community.
• Write and deliver invocations and benedictions for significant university rites of passage including Opening Convocation and Commencement.
• Prepare and coordinate classes, teach and mentor about religious issues, justice, ethics and values in both formal classrooms and informal settings.
• Write, speak and keep current on social justice issues of concern to higher education and religion.

Education & Experience:

Master of Divinity (M.Div) and seven to ten years of relevant experience including specific experience designing and leading congregational worship, preaching, pastoral care with young adults, multi-faith chaplaincy, director level experience working with student organizations in higher education, and interfaith team leadership.

• Acute pastoral sensitivity and discretion.
• Ordination or professional religious training in a recognized faith community.
• Experience in a role of religious leadership. Thorough understanding and performance of ritual and ritual practices.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading public worship (including religious teaching/preaching), in moderation of discussions, and in intelligent presentations of religious, spiritual and societal questions and challenges.
• Enthusiasm and capacity for working imaginatively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and religious traditions.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in counsel, support, and inspiration of young adults.
• Knowledge of multiple religious traditions.
• Ability to work independently, complete assignments, accomplish administrative tasks, and exercise sound judgment in…