Director of Congregational LIfe

Luther Memorial Church of Chicago (LMC) is a welcoming, open and affirming congregation on Chicago’s North Side and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, we cherish the belief that all are beloved children of God regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and background and recipients of God’s grace. We trust that Jesus had something prophetic to say about the social realities of this world and our lives which leads to growth and transformation. At LMC, we look to make  connections between the Gospel Story and the Everyday Story. We search for the Holy in everyday life, serve our neighbors, and work for justice and healing.

The Director of Congregational Life strengthens the relational and organizational structure of LMC by helping people move from attending to belonging, from volunteering to shared ownership, and from age-specific programming to an integrated life of faith across generations.

This position supports ministry and volunteer coordination, welcoming and membership, and children and youth ministry. Working collaboratively with the pastor, staff, parents, and lay leaders, the Director of Congregational Life helps create meaningful pathways for connection, equips volunteers and emerging leaders, and fosters a congregation where people are known, engaged, and empowered to participate in ministry.

This role requires both strong relational skills and strong organizational skills, along with a genuine investment in the communal and spiritual life of the church.

Success in this role will mean:

• Members, visitors, and newer attendees become more deeply connected to the life and ministry of the congregation
• New volunteers and lay leaders are regularly identified, equipped, and supported
• Children and youth ministries are coordinated consistently and sustainably.
• Congregational life is strengthened through shared ownership, healthy teams, and meaningful relationships

Key Responsibilities: 

Volunteer Development and Ministry Coordination (30–35%)

1. Build a broad and sustainable culture of participation by identifying gifts, inviting involvement, developing emerging leaders, and supporting shared ownership across ministries
2. Recruit, equip, schedule, and support volunteers serving throughout the congregation, including worship, hospitality, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and congregational events
3. Support ministry leaders by identifying needs, preventing burnout, troubleshooting challenges and encouraging healthy team functioning.
4. Help formation opportunities, service projects, small groups, and ministry ideas move from interest to participation through personal invitation, volunteer recruitment, and leadership support
5. Partner with the Director of Communications to ensure clear communication, reliable follow-through, and accessible pathways for participation

Youth and Children's Ministry Support (25–30%)
As part of this broader congregational life role, the Director supports children’s and youth ministry in collaboration with the pastor, staff, parents, and lay leaders. This person is not expected to serve as the sole youth minister, but rather to provide coordination, volunteer support, communication, and periodic direct leadership that helps youth ministry remain consistent and sustainable.

1. Coordinate Sunday School curriculum, schedules, communication, and volunteer teachers.
2. Help create engaging opportunities for middle and high school youth focused on faith formation, service, fellowship, and leadership development
3. Lead or co-lead youth gatherings as needed and support programming led by the pastor and volunteers
4. Connect children and youth with worship, music, service and congregational life
5. Supervise nursery attendants and support youth interns or assistants as applicable
6. Collaborate with partner congregations on shared youth events, service opportunities and ministry initiatives

Belonging, Welcoming, and Membership (15–20%)

1. Develop clear, consistent pathways for guests, newcomers, and newer members to become known, connected, and integrated in the life of the congregation
2. Cultivate welcoming opportunities for connection through meals, small gatherings, and intergenerational events, and informal community-building experiences
3. Equip members and lay leaders to serve as connectors who extend invitations, notice absences, and help others find meaningful places to belong
4. Foster a culture in which people are known not only by what they do for the church, but by who they are and how they belong
5. Work with the staff and lay leaders to make hospitality, follow-up, and relational connection a shared practice across the congregation
6. Advocate for newcomer and member inclusion across worship, faith formation, volunteer teams, social gatherings, and congregational programs
7. Partner with Director of Communications to create clear and accessible invitations and respond to inquiries about involvement in the congregation

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualities and
experiences:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience working in a church or related ministry setting
• Ability to balance relational and organizational work simultaneously without sacrificing either
• Strong initiative and ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with staff, volunteers, and lay leaders
• Experience working with children, youth and families
• Experience recruiting, equipping and developing leaders and volunteers
• Strong communication, organizational, and follow-through skills
• Self-directed and intrinsically motivated; energized by work that is relational, cyclical, and rarely “finished”
• Find satisfaction in helping others succeed and ministries flourish, even when their own contributions happen behind the scenes
• Supports the mission and values of Luther Memorial Church
•  Spanish language skills a plus

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to navigate stairs within the church building and lift up to 10–15 lbs.
• This is primarily an in-person role. Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and major congregational events are in person, along with regular weekday presence in the office. Up to one day per week may be worked from home, scheduled in advance with the pastor
• Flexibility to adjust work hours during Advent, Lent, and other major congregational events
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Planning Center, Canva, and social media platforms, and other common office software
• Successful completion of child safety training and background check

Compensation and Benefits

• The position is 40 hours/week, including Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings
• The salary range for this position is $48,000–68,000, depending on experience
• Health insurance with fully paid premiums for the employee and option to add dependents
• Employer-provided retirement, disability, and group life insurance benefits
• Employer-provided contributions to 403(b) retirement plan

To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant experience in congregational life, volunteer development, youth ministry, community engagement, or related fields to hiring@lmcchicago.org.