Dean of Formation at The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod Australia (2024)

Job Description

Dean of Formation

Part-Time Permanent

The Uniting Church in Australia (the Church) is a large uniquely Australian Christian denomination in Australia whose heritage lies in reformed evangelical denominations. In Queensland, the Uniting Church is comprised of 250 congregations as well as schools, colleges and large community services (such as UnitingCare Queensland and Wesley Mission Queensland).

Trinity College Queensland is an ecumenical space, a vibrant and welcoming community of learners. Our staff and faculty seekto equip young adults with tools for deep learning and for missional innovation in the world. Our goal in education is to offer neither closed nor predetermined answers, but honest answers to the tough questions that life throws our way.

Position Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to drive and maintain an innovative and flexible program for the formation of ministry candidates within the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. The incumbent’s primary responsibility, therefore, is to manage this formation program in a way that supports Trinity College Queensland’s vision to produce mission-ready graduates.

This role is a part time role with minimum 22.8 hours per week and the potential for additional hours.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the formation program complies with Assembly Standards and provide advice to the faculty in response to questions about these Standards.
• Keep accurate records of student formation plans and provide information for the Principal in response to requests from the Board for Christian Formation. The incumbent will undertake other administrative duties that fall within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent e.g. organising and recording each candidates formation panels.
• In consultation with the Principal and in keeping with developments in ministry formation, advocate for an intentional approach to formation that extends across academic classes, developing short courses, practic*ms (i.e. supervised field education), UCA specific intensives, and other College activities, such as coordinating and organising chapel services with other candidates.
• Provide pastoral support to Formation Candidates (distinct from chaplaincy).
• Liaise regularly with Presbytery Ministers about newly ordained candidates in their first placements (phase 3). Direct new ministers to resources and training as needed.
• Offer an aspirational approach to teaching (all-candidate days and short courses) and preaching (chapel services and across wider church).
• Promote the values enshrined within the Basis of Union.

Benefits of working for us?

• Onsite cafe, gym and pool
• Free onsite parking
• Access to support functions on the same site
• Supportive team environment and workplace culture
• Opportunity to add to the story of The Uniting Church

Who are you?

• Ordained Minister in the Uniting Church in Australia.
• Minimum qualifications of a MA (PhD or DMin desirable). An additional 0.2 FTE (one day) may be added to the role if the successful applicant is qualified to teach accredited ACT units for the college.
• Completion of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) desirable.
• Excellent administrative and communication skills.
• A track record of making a positive contribution within a workplace environment.
• Well-received when teaching and/or preaching in lay contexts (as well as the College's higher education setting).
• Ability to manage people and programs with pastoral sensitivity and spiritual insight.
• A capacity to manage technology associated with the offering of blended learning (i.e. Moodle).
• Displays attention to detail, timeliness, analytical and focused on outcomes.
• An ability to understand and engage effectively with a wide variety of UCA churches and communities.
• An ability to clearly communicate with others and manage competing views (e.g. cultural and gender diversity).

Applications will be reviewed as received.

If you are a culturally & linguistically diverse, living with a disability, or returning to the workforce after a period of time off raising children, we recognise you are less likely to apply for this position, however we strongly consider those who can meet most of the above and have a great work ethic to formalise their application.

Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is committed to being a child safe, child friendly organisation and for all children who come into contact with our services we will provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services, prevent child abuse and neglect within our services and appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur.

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Hiring Company

The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod

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