Vocation Minister Ministry Pathways
The Theology and Ministry Leadership (TML) Unit is seeking an individual to fill the role of Vocational Minister, Ministry Pathways on a full-time basis (35 hours per week). The anticipated start date for this position is June 1, 2026.
The Theology and Ministry Leadership Unit brings together all the pieces relating to leadership, taking seriously the understanding of the ministry of the whole people of God. The unit includes the Office of Vocation, which is responsible for the assessment, candidacy, Admissions, and accreditation of ministry personnel, the standards of practice and ongoing oversight and, when necessary, discipline, of ministry personnel, and Pastoral Relations. The unit also includes Member Engagement (including nominations for national committees, boards, and task groups), the work of the Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee (TICIF), and United Church theological schools.
Position Purpose
The Vocational Minister Ministry Pathways is responsible for supporting processes for the discernment, training and the determination of fitness and readiness for accreditation of candidates and ministry personnel in their assigned region(s). This position works across five Ontario regional councils of the United Church: Shining Waters, Canadian Shield, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways and Antler River Watershed.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
1. Candidacy Pathway (60%): Staff resource to the Southwestern Ontario and the North and Central Ontario candidacy boards; Be available for vocational conversations with those thinking about ministry; Co-ordinate the mandated orientation sessions for those discerning and the discernment retreats or other events; Provide training for candidacy boards; Support supervised ministry education: be staff resource to communities of faith around becoming a learning site; ensure training of lay community of faith connection teams; equip and name educational supervisors; and Ensure paperwork from candidacy board is added to OV database.
2. Candidate Support (20%): Provide expertise to resource ministry personnel issues, and co-ordinate with regional council staff as invited; Follow up on issues of non-compliance of standards, like mandatory training; Resource formal complaints procedures to ensure that they are carried out in a consistent, just and equitable manner across the church; Work with candidates when remedial work is required; Support the fulfillment of continuing education standards; and Liaise with the regional council about accreditation and issues of standing with respect to the pastoral relations covenant process.
3. Mutual Recognition (5%): Orient ministry partners to the pastoral relations covenant system; and Ensure the community of faith is prepared to receive their ministry partner.
4. Admission (5%): Ensure communities of faith are prepared to meet their requirements with respect to immigration and orient them to receive someone who is likely to be from another culture; Orient the pastoral charge supervisor to their distinct role; and Ensure the pastoral charge has intercultural awareness, and has done some racial justice training.
5. Pathways Policy Liaison (10%):Provide expertise to resource vocational and ministry pathway issues, and co-ordinate with regional council staff as invited; Liaise with the regional council about supervised ministry appointments.
Qualifications
- Post-secondary education, a minimum of four years; University Degree, Theological Degree (undergraduate/graduate or equivalent informal theological education training), Human Resources training.
- 5-7 years of related experience
- Knowledge of the life and work of The United Church of Canada with a demonstrated understanding of the various perspectives on ministry within the church;
- Appreciation for and commitment to the vision of becoming an intercultural church and the Indigenous Calls to the Church;
- Working knowledge of The Manual, together with experience working within the courts, policies and ethos of the United Church;
- Highly developed communication skills (both verbal and written) together with superior human relations and interpersonal skills;
- A commitment to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries at all times;
- Ability to develop strong working relationships, working collegially and constructively within a staff team, with cultural sensitivity and awareness;
- Strong administration, time management, planning, organizational and implementation skills;
- Ability to relate policies and procedures to faith and to reflect theologically on policy;
- Proven ability in education /leadership; mediation training would be an asset;
- Good judgement, discernment and analysis skills;
- Solid computer skills in the use of various software applications - Office 365, Dynamics, SharePoint, One Drive, Teams, Zoom, and other digital communications and social media platforms;
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively within the regional councils; and
- French, Indigenous or other language skills would be a definite asset in the context of some regional councils.
- Alignment with the vision and values of The United Church of Canada – respect, integrity, passion and diversity;
- Member of The United Church of Canada
Working Conditions
This position works remotely off-site or from a regional council office within one of the regions served by this position. The incumbent will be provided, for work purposes, use of secure devices and must be available by email, phone, teams or zoom during regular office hours Monday to Friday. Sitting and viewing a computer screen for long periods, keyboarding/using assistive devices or technologies, intermittent physical activity including sitting, standing and being on a call for long periods of time will be required. Attendance at occasional evening and weekend meetings together with travel within the regional councils and within Canada will be required. Occasional additional hours may be required.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code, The United Church of Canada will provide reasonable accommodations to employees with human-rights related needs.
Compensation
The target hiring range for this position is $79,455.46 to $90,556.25 with the ability to progress to a maximum of $105,941.07. This is based on category 8 on our salary range. Placement on the salary range will depend on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. Pension and group benefit plans coverage and annual vacation round out this compensation package.