About Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University is a place where undergraduate and graduate students gain a superb education grounded on the gospel of Jesus Christ — and the tools to influence the world for good. Outstanding scholarship and thoughtful faith are a powerful combination that brings about change in the lives of graduates, and in the people and communities they go on to serve.
Seattle Pacific University was founded by Free Methodist pioneers who valued a nonsectarian approach to education. Throughout its history, SPU has welcomed those seeking to combine scholarly excellence with a desire to engage the culture and change the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Located in a quiet north Queen Anne residential neighborhood, but only 10 minutes from downtown, Seattle Pacific University’s 42-acre campus borders the Lake Washington Ship Canal and boasts majestic trees, open lawns, beautiful gardens, and views of Mt. Rainier. Among its outstanding facilities is a cutting-edge science building; a four-story library and study center; a restaurant-like dining facility with Northwest décor and made-to-order cuisine; one of the region’s finest small theatres; three coffee shops; five residence halls; and fitness and athletic space for both intercollegiate and intramural play.
The University has enjoyed significant growth over the last decade. Currently, approximately 3,400 undergraduate and 900 graduate and post-baccalaureate students are enrolled in SPU programs. While a significant majority of SPU students would self-identify as Christians, the University welcomes students of all faiths and those who profess to have “no faith.” While faculty and staff are required to ascribe to the University’s Christian Statement of Faith, no corresponding requirement is asked of its students.
As the University is approaching its 125th year, a strategic planning process has yielded aggressive plans that will refine and deepen its academic rigor and holistic student experience. The following Strategic Vision will guide the institution’s future:
Seattle Pacific University will be:
KNOWN AS a premier Christian university that is orthodox, evangelical, Wesleyan, and ecumenical — selected by students able to excel at the highest academic levels, shaped by distinguished teachers and scholars, noted by a distinctive and diverse living and learning environment that reflects its Christian identity, and resourced with significant capacity to realize its mission and pursue its vision.
KNOWN FOR preparing students for service and leadership by fostering holistic growth through rigorous academic study, character formation, and vocational preparation that establishes a foundation for a thriving, faithful, and meaningful life.
KNOWN BY the lives of alumni who reflect the University’s values, are shaped by its mission, and embody its vision and commitment to global and cultural engagement, reconciliation, and human flourishing.
About the Position of University Chaplain
Seattle Pacific University invites applications for the position of University Chaplain, with a starting date between July 1, 2014, and September 1, 2014. The University Chaplain will be viewed as the key person to lead, facilitate, and champion the Christian spiritual formation of the student community by directing the Office of Christian Community and Ministry. S/he will report directly to the provost and will sit on Deans’ Cabinet and the Student Life, Athletics, and Ministry group.
Attributes
- Vibrant, personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ
- Christ-like humility and teachable spirit
- Willingness to partner and collaborate
- Desire to model grace-filled community
- Desire to model servant leadership
- Love for students and willingness to connect with them relationally
Responsibilities
Leadership and Administration
- Serve as director of the Office of Christian Community and Ministry (OCCM)
- Oversee (in partnership with the School of Theology) the spiritual well-being of the University student community
- Foster the development of co-curricular programming that will assist students in the integration of Christian faith with their respective academic disciplines
- Co-chair the Ministry Coordinating Council (MCC)
- Partner with the School of Theology, the Center for Biblical and Theological Education, the Perkins Center, and the Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development
- Serve as a primary preacher in chapel
- Provide strategic guidance on issues related to spiritual formation and personal development of the student body
- Oversee the OCCM budget
Oversight of OCCM Ministries
- Provide worship, discipleship, and service opportunities for all students
- Offer leadership and peer-mentoring opportunities for upperclassmen
- Inform and train faculty and other staff on university student faith development, and encourage participation in that development
- Nurture a multicultural perspective and help students develop a deep inclination and aptitude for the work of reconciliation
- Assist students in finding and entering into church communities for regular worship
- Forge and maintain intentional partnerships with area congregations
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Theology; preferably an advanced theological degree (DMin or PhD)
- Ordained minister of Word and Sacrament
- Extensive experience in college ministry
- Exceptional public presence (including, but not limited to, preaching)
- Demonstrated commitment to the work of Christian reconciliation
- Demonstrated capacity and character for effective pastoral ministry
- Affirms all aspects of the SPU Statement of Faith and Signature Commitments
- Comfortable working within and promoting a Wesleyan/Holiness theological perspective
Compensation
Compensation is commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, tuition discount, and retirement programs. A moving allowance may also be provided.
About University Ministries
Staff members in what is now called the Office of University Ministries (OUM) currently serve as SPU campus pastors. They provide one-on-one and small-group mentoring and pastoral direction for students as well as partnering with other campus organizations to operate large-scale ministry and spiritual formation programming at Seattle Pacific. OUM has primary responsibility for weekly worship experiences — Gather (morning chapel); Group (Wednesday night worship and study); and Grace (Friday afternoon prayer and communion), as well as a number of discipleship ministries.
The John Perkins Center for Reconciliation, Leadership Training, and Community Development at Seattle Pacific University was founded in 2004. It is the first-of-its-kind partnership among the John Perkins Foundation of Jackson Mississippi, SPU, and Christian community leaders throughout the Pacific Northwest. A variety of service opportunities made available to SPU students are currently administered by the Center (e.g., Urban Plunge, and SPRINT) and will be a part of the Office of University Ministries going forward.
About the Work of the Campus Ministry
Task Force
Upon his appointment as SPU’s 10th president, Dr. Dan Martin adopted a “provost model” in which all aspects of the student experience at SPU are to be managed by a newly formed Office of the Provost. This includes the Office of University Ministries. Prior to this change, OUM reported directly to the president. Nearly coincident with Dr. Jeff Van Duzer’s appointment as the new provost, Dr. Stephen Newby — then director of OUM — elected to leave that position in order to become a full-time, tenure-track faculty member in the University’s Music Department. Because of this vacancy and in light of the changing university structure, Provost Van Duzer asked Dr. Doug Strong, dean of the School of Theology, to form a Campus Ministry Task Force, and charged that task force with making recommendations for the mission, objectives, and structure of OUM.
After extensive data collection and many hours of discussion, the task force submitted its report to the provost in early March. While the report is only a recommendation to the provost, given the extensive work that went into its preparation and the representative nature of the members of the task force, it will be an important document to shape the direction of campus ministries going forward. The new University Chaplain will work closely with the provost to review these recommendations and, where appropriate, implement necessary changes. Read the entire task force report.
About SPU’s Mission and Statement of Faith
Read Seattle Pacific University’s Mission, Signature Commitments, and Statement of Faith.
About Seattle Pacific University’s School of Theology
Through a unique model of scholarship, spiritual edification, and service referred to as “Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate,” SPU’s School of Theology and Seattle Pacific Seminary educate and equip students to engage the culture as thoughtful people.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted through April 30. The online application includes an official SPU application form and other supporting documents. In addition, candidates should submit a written response to the following prompt: “What is your vision for campus ministries at a university like Seattle Pacific University?” and a detailed faith statement that reflects on and responds to the four-fold SPU Statement of Faith and includes a description of the applicant’s faith journey.
APPLY HERE
For more information, contact:
Dr. Jeff Jordan
Vice President for Student Life
206-281-2481
studentlife@spu.edu