Pastor and Leadership Developer

Location:

Managua, Nicaragua

Agreement Term:

Full Time, Four Years

Anticipated start date(s) include:

July 13, 2025

Agreement Type:

Long-term

Description:

This position will be working in a church and society that is deeply impacted by migration (particularly by youth and young adults), poverty, machismo, and climate change. The Nicaragua Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope (ILFE) has been addressing these areas since its inception. The missionary will be tasked with the review of the current curriculum for leadership formation, incorporating learnings from the Nicaraguan context into the development of a new curriculum.

Timeline:

• Application Opens:  February 2025 
• Interviews:  February – April 2025 
• ELCA Orientation in Chicago:  July 13 – 25, 2025
• Deploy to Nicaragua:  August/September 2025

Assignment Includes:

• Active participation in the Biblical and Theological formation team at the national Church level and leading the regional formation team; including the preparation and facilitation of weekly workshops. 
• Create relevant resources for lay and ordained leadership in the church according to the context of Nicaragua and Central America. 
• Participate in monthly meetings of pastors and pastoral teams. 
• Pastoral accompaniment of at least two ILFE communities in rural areas.
• Other mutually agreed-upon activities between missionary and the ILFE supervisor 

This is an ELCA sponsorable position.  

All ELCA long-term global personnel participate in mission interpretation and storytelling. This includes: 

• Quarterly newsletters to sponsoring congregations and individuals. 
• Virtual visits throughout the year with sponsoring congregations and individuals. 
• In-person visits during Home Assignment (every 2 years, travel back to the US to visit sponsoring congregations and individuals) 

Experience and Skills:

• M.Div. is required. All candidates must be ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament within the ELCA.  At the request of our ILFE companion the position is for an ELCA Lutheran Pastor.      
• Must be fluent in Spanish or able to learn the language. 
• Understanding of holistic mission (word, sacrament, and diakonia) as understood by Lutheran LAC churches.
• Prior experience developing formation curriculum for lay and ordained leaders - required
• Experience attending to rural congregations - required
• Experience in pastoring a multi-point parish - preferred
• Cross-cultural competency - required
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other      faiths
• Respect for beliefs, values and customs of church and culture where assigned
• Well-developed inter-personal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion
• Demonstrated ability to carry out the responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices
• Ability to work within the framework of a local administration
• Adaptable and flexible - sense of humor - good physical and emotional health
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA

Terms and Conditions:

• Long-Term Terms and Conditions  
• This position is supported under the terms of ELCA Service and Justice Expectations and Support for Long Term Mission      Personnel. Those provisions include international transportation, transportation related to work assignment, pensions and major medical coverage, assistance with schooling for children through high school, housing and cash salary which is adjusted according to the goods and services differential for Nicaragua. 
• Salary is based on years of work experience. 
• If candidate is married, both must complete an application for this position for discernment of the appropriate pattern of service of the spouse. In the context of global mission service, the accompanying spouse is seen as a representative of the ELCA and of the      receiving church regardless of their actual role. It is important for the ELCA that both members of a couple understand the role of a missionary and are comfortable with that reality. 

Physical Efforts:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employee will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Psychological evaluation is required.

Benefits:

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees and dependent, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer additional benefits upon deployment to the country of service.