The LCMS Mission
"In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and world."
Reporting Relationships
- Reports to the Chief Mission Officer (CMO) and is ultimately accountable to the President of Synod. Working Relationships:
- Works closely with President of Synod’s staff and CMO’s other direct reports.
- Collaborates on projects and programs with other International Center Unit Executives
- Works closely with Mission Advancement, donors, grantors, and other Synod stakeholders to nurture beneficial relationships to help generate additional funds and resources for ONM.
- Work closely with LCMS Communications on messaging and storytelling related to all national mission efforts, programs and ministries.
- Work closely and collaboratively with District Presidents.
- Collaborate with leaders of Synod corporate entities and auxiliary leaders.
Position Summary
Under the leadership and direction of the President, is responsible through the CMO for the supervision and oversight of all staff, programs, projects and activities of all ministries organized within the ONM that serve the congregations and schools of the Synod through LCMS districts.
Essential Job Functions
- Develop and implement ONM strategic plan so that Synod convention priorities, the policies of the Board for National Mission and the President's goals are fulfilled.
- Regularly visit all districts in order to facilitate ONM’s fruitful consultation and collaboration with districts’ leadership and staff.
- Provide strategic leadership for ONM mission and ministry initiatives and efforts that increase LCMS district, congregation, and school capacities to achieve the Synod’s objectives.
- Supervise ONM budget development and financial performance to ensure that the ONM plans are supported and implemented in a cost-effective and timely manner.
- Serve as staff resource to the BNM, working with the board chair and CMO to develop board agendas, provide information, resources, reports and/or program updates as requested.
- Supervise the granting of RSO status to US-based organizations that have satisfactorily met all LCMS requirements and primarily serve constituents within the United States.
- Other duties as assigned by CMO or Synod President.
Education and Experience
- Faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and supportive of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and policies.
- Ordained member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
- Advanced degree in theology, education, or related field; or the equivalent inn practical knowledge and experience.
- A minimum of five years of parish experience, experience serving in a non-profit, or church-related organization.
- Significant senior leadership experience (supervising employee and/or volunteer teams of significant size within a multifaceted organizational structure) strongly preferred.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)
- Keen knowledge of and concurrence with the doctrine, practices, mission, structure and programmatic ministries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
- Familiarity and ability to engage/work effectively with a broad spectrum of Synod stakeholders: LCMS senior national and district leadership, rostered workers, agencies, auxiliaries and other partners of Synod.
- Strong communication abilities, written and oral.
- Ability to understand and manage organization budgets and make appropriate leadership decisions from LCMS accounting systems and information.
- General awareness and familiarity with business administrative and management principles and responsible practices with respect to human resources, information technology, contractual arrangements, other legal matters, etc.
- Ability to supervise, mentor, teach and coach staff of significant size (25+).
- Demonstrated discretion and judgment in confidential matters.
- Ability to prioritize activities and work effectively under the time and manpower constraints.
- Capacity to travel domestically on a regular basis.
Supervisory Responsibility
- Supervise and develop ONM staff and ministries.
Skills Required
- Must be an ordained member of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
- Faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and supportive of Synod's Constitution, Bylaws, and policies
- Advanced degree in theology, education, or a related field, or equivalent practical knowledge and experience
- Minimum of five years of parish experience, nonprofit experience, or experience in a church-related organization
- Knowledge of and concurrence with the doctrine, practices, mission, structure, and programmatic ministries of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
- Strong written and oral communication abilities
- Ability to understand and manage organizational budgets and make leadership decisions using accounting information
- Familiarity with business administration, management, human resources, information technology, contracts, and legal matters
- Ability to supervise, mentor, teach, and coach a staff of significant size, including 25 or more employees
- Demonstrated discretion and judgment in confidential matters
- Ability to prioritize activities and work effectively under time and staffing constraints
- Significant senior leadership experience supervising sizable employee or volunteer teams in a multifaceted organization
- Capacity to travel domestically on a regular basis
What We Do
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith. Its mission is to vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and deed within its churches, communities, and the world.






