Position Title Leadership Formation Specialist
Full Time Equivalent 5 days per week
Reports to Head of Flourishing Pastors and Leaders Team
Position Location 1193 Toorak Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124
INTRODUCTION
The Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV) is an association of more than 339 congregations and 257 Baptist churches, faith communities, micro churches, and Baptist agencies in Victoria. It is a non-profit organisation, with a vision to be a Union of 500 flourishing churches with Christ-like followers, transforming Victoria. Our 50-year goal is to double the number of flourishing Baptist churches in Victoria, and we do this by encouraging, equipping, and empowering our local churches for mission.
Baptists are grass-roots people, with a particular emphasis on the local church. These local churches are self-governing and self-supporting, ranging in size from twenty or so members to several thousand. Although each Baptist church is an independent entity, Baptists nonetheless have always believed in associating with one another - and so churches come together in regional, national, and international spheres to promote and support the fellowship of Baptists everywhere.
The BUV Support Hub is the central support office where this role will be based; here, we promote and live out the values of faith, community, servanthood, stewardship, and respect.
PURPOSE
The Leadership Formation Specialist exists to ensure that BUV's investment in leadership formation is strategic, connected, and sustained. This role holds two complementary responsibilities: 1. establishment and coordination of BUV's leadership development pipeline and ensure formation is happening at every stage and across every team, and 2. overseeing the Ordination pathway for those called to pastoral and missional leadership.
This role maps the landscape of leadership formation, identifies the gaps, convenes the right people, and ensures the right development is taking place across the BUV network. The development work is shared across every BUV Support Hub team; this role ensures that leaders are identified, trained and deployed to meet our BUV Vision and objectives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Leadership Pipeline Establishment and Coordination
- Map and monitor BUV’s leadership development landscape across ministry teams, identifying gaps in formation pathways for emerging, mid-career and senior church leaders
- In collaboration with team leaders, initiate and coordinate new training and development opportunities that address identified pipeline gaps
- Develop and maintain a coherent, integrated framework for leadership formation that connects leaders at every stage to appropriate development pathways across BUV and its networks
- Curate and manage relationships with key external providers, including theological colleges, peer learning networks and specialist training organizations, to expand development options available at each pipeline stage
- Establish and maintain a register of leaders engaged in BUV formation pathways, tracking participation, progression and outcomes
- Collaborate with the Flourishing Pastors & Leaders Team Leader to report pipeline health to relevant stakeholders and contribute to strategic planning
- Champion a culture of intentional leadership development across BUV’s ministry teams, resourcing team leaders to own formation within their own areas
- Work with DoMM and key stakeholders to establish regional ministry and leadership academies
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Ordination
- Oversee the development of BUV ordination policy
- Facilitate and chair the Ordination Policy Group and Ordination Discernment Group and their respective discernment processes
- Facilitate the processes of enquiry and application of those wishing to consider ordained Pastoral Leadership within the BUV
- In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop and facilitate the candidates’ ordination formation intensives and retreats
- Develop the links between ordination and the new accreditation process to enhance the support and accountability of BUV pastoral and missional leaders
- Collaborate with the Academic Dean of Whitley College in developing study plans for ordination candidates and delivery of ordination-specific units
- Liaise with the BUV’s Pastoral Search Advisory Group in terms of pastoral appointments for ordination candidates
- Provide one-on-one support for ordination candidates
KEY COMPETENCIES
Professional Qualifications / Experience
Tertiary qualifications in Theology or Ministry
- Demonstrated experience in developing leaders and leadership teams
- Church ministry experience (10 years+)
- Well-connected in the Victorian church community and other strategic partners
- Awareness of Victorian Baptist ethos – including its diverse ecclesiology, especially as it applies to missional and pastoral leadership
- Ordained and Accredited with the Baptist Union of Victoria or Equivalent
- Capacity to think strategically about leadership formation at a systemic level, not just deliver individual programs
- Experience facilitating group processes, discernment conversations, or formation programs
Essential Qualities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with proven ability to build and maintain relationships at every level
- Strategic thinking and complex problem solving abilities
- Demonstrated ability to maintain sensitivity and confidentiality when dealing with delicate matters
- Evidence of highly developed administrative, record keeping and computer skills
- Strong leader who supports a positive, high performing culture
- Self-directed, requires minimal supervision, maintain initiative, optimize time management and willingness to work flexible hours as required
- Proven ability to relate effectively to people and churches from a wide range of theological, ecclesiological, and cultural approaches to ministry
- A strong Christian faith with commitment to personal spiritual growth and ongoing personal and professional development
- Committed follower of Jesus demonstrating servant leadership, integrity and high moral values
Interpersonal Skills
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with a high level of maturity, resilience, tact, and diplomacy
- Approachable and can quickly build relationships and establish trust across diverse stakeholders
- Proven ability to work collaboratively well across various teams
- Proven ability to relate to people assertively with warmth, empathy, and acceptance
KEY ACCOUNTABILITY
Head of Flourishing Pastors and Leaders Team
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Leadership Team
- BUV employees
- Baptist Agencies
- Academic Dean – Whitley College
- Baptist Churches across Victoria
LOCATION OF POSITION
- BUV Support Hub - 1193 Toorak Road, Camberwell VIC 3124
APPLICATION OR ENQUIRY
Send application or queries to liah.coombs@buv.com.au
Applications should include CV and a Cover Letter addressing key competencies and relevant
experiences.
Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately as the position will be closed once the successful
candidate has been appointed. |
