St. Johns School seeks a talented, thoughtful, dynamic Director of Spiritual Life. The Director oversees the K12 Chapel program, which dates from the Schools founding and includes division-specific services in The Church of St. John the Divine every seven-day rotation. While rooted in the Schools historical ties to Judeo-Christian faiths generally, and the Episcopal Church specifically, Chapels are eclectic and broadly inclusive, focusing on a variety of faith traditions, ethical issues, and secular concerns. They reflect the communitys diversity of faiths and belief systems.
The Director of Spiritual Life serves on the Senior Administrative Team and reports to the Head of School. In addition to relevant experience and a strong educational background, successful candidates must demonstrate a collaborative spirit and a commitment to furthering the Schools mission, including its strategic initiatives on community and inclusion.
The position is full-time and offers a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversee the Chapel programits content, tone, and tenorand ensure that it builds community, fosters reflection and introspection, and both reflects and furthers community members diverse faith journeys.
- Inspire faculty involvement and student engagement, voice, and leadership in the Chapel program.
- Serve as the Schools chief caretaker, knowing and supporting individual community members, reaching out to those in need or crisis, and being omnipresent at community events.
- Provide spiritual leadership for the School in times of celebration and in times of grief.
- Liaise between the School and The Church of St. John the Divine and cultivate relationships and strategic partnerships with religious leaders across the greater Houston area.
- Work closely with the Schools three division heads to align programs and messages.
- Maintain strong ties between the Chapel program and the Schools academic and service-learning programs.
- Teach a class in the Middle School or Upper School, advise, and/or coach as a way of supporting the Schools other programs and engaging students meaningfully, genuinely.
- Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
- Bachelors degree and a graduate degree in religion or divinity
- Ordination as a priest or minister, preferably in the Episcopal Church, with a minimum of five years of experience in a church or school
- Deep, varied experience in pastoral care and/or personal counseling
- Demonstrated ability to lead with grace, flexibility, humility, and steadiness, especially in the face of challenges
- Inclusive theological perspective
- Approachability and strong listening skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Great sense of humor