Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 7,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university’s main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern’s core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service-learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.

 

Position Description
The Director of the Kerygma Initiative and Homiletician is a visionary leader, strong administrator, and trained homiletician who is passionate about equipping a generation of preachers to share the joy and justice of the gospel, contextualized for a wide diversity of 21st century hearers. This innovator will help to revolutionize preaching and thoroughly equip a new generation of preachers. A successful candidate will be committed to excellence in administration, teaching, mentorship, and the formation preachers for the 21st century. Palmer’s mission is to prepare persons to take the whole gospel to the whole world as whole persons. The Director will design, lead, and support innovative preaching models, strategic planning, program development, grant budgets, developing and leading research initiatives, representing the Seminary as needed, serving as a contributing team member, and supervising a staff person and graduate fellows. The ability to do quantitative and qualitative research, design curriculum, navigate online environments, and manage projects are essential. The Director of this program will support all aspects of the Kerygma Initiative within the parameters of the Lilly Endowment grant which funds the initiative.

**The position is 4 years as contingent on grant funding.

Position Responsibilities
Develop and oversee all aspects of the Kerygma Initiative, including the supervision of a Coordinator of Special Initiatives and graduate fellows.
Teach up to three courses per year (which includes the creation of any flexed online course).
Partner with institutional leadership in the creation of and research for the Kerygma Initiative.
Create a sustainable academic preaching program for Palmer Seminary.
Explore 21st century contextualized proclamation of the gospel with a diversity of hearers in ways that resonate, inspire a response, heal, build authentic relationships, and legitimize the gospel.
Create 21st century benchmark of preaching skills, modes, and practices for diverse audiences, for resonance in the metaverse, and for prophetic voice in the public square.
Engage in 21st century proclamation research deducing and discerning a praxis oriented homiletic model/theory for the academy and the Church in order to equip a new generation of preachers who can effectively share the gospel.
Coordinate homiletics conferences and retreats.
Represent the Kerygma Initiative at conferences, workshops, and other relevant events.
Mentor and advise students in the DMin and PhD programs.
Assist in identifying related grant funded resources for Palmer Seminary.
Attend and participate in Palmer Seminary and College departmental meetings.
Pray for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Church leaders; participates in communal prayer gatherings.
Attends to own personal spiritual care and engages opportunities for continual professional and ministerial development.
Embodies values of caring and compassion, justice and integrity, competence and affirmation.
Seeks to treat each member of the campus community with fairness, dignity and respect seeking a spirit of unity and harmony as we join together to achieve our common mission.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
PhD in Homiletics or related field preferred
Teaching experience in a Christian higher education / seminary context
Administrative experience in a Christian higher education / seminary context
Knowledge and experience working in areas of the church and/or Christian community
Ordination preferred
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proficiency in English.
Fluency in Spanish - helpful but not required.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple groups of constituents and personnel to maximize efficiency and collaboration.
Experience supervising employees.
Demonstrated experience with and proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive, video creation software, and effective use of AI in ethical, helpful ways
Experience using learning management systems (e.g. Brightspace, Canvas)
Ability to discern priorities and plan work tasks accordingly.

Supplemental Information
To be fully considered for this position, submit the following materials: URL link to a sample sermon, letter of application, current CV, transcripts, diversity statement, a brief faith statement, and three letters of recommendation.

About Eastern University

Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university.  The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.

Background Checks

Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening. The employment background screening may include but is not limited to your consumer credit history (for positions that work with the university finances or alumni funds only), verification of education and professional credentials, criminal history, driving history, residency, immigration status, performance, references, and other qualities pertinent to your qualifications for the following position.

Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions. Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances:

1)      Affidavit;

2)      FBI Criminal Record Check;

3)      Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance and;

4)      Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.

 

In accordance with state laws, Act 73 of 2007, Act 153 of 2014, Act 168 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), school employees of Eastern University who will have "direct contact with children" must complete the background check process prior to employment.  Results must be submitted within ten days of receipt.

 

Description Disclaimer

This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.

Website

www.palmerseminary.edu