Missionary Support Coordinator

Organization Profile

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 the world.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Director – Missionary Network Care and Support

Essential Job Functions

• Support the Together in Mission (TIM) program, in ways that make a meaningful contribution to the organization.
  • Communicate with congregations and other church-related entities, for the purpose of raising awareness of the TIM program and the various opportunities that exist to financially sponsor the work of the LCMS missionaries and provide professional services/support to participating TIM partners.
  • Provide research on potential TIM congregations and group partners to missionaries as needed or requested, to assist them in network-building and during their home service/furlough time.
  • Request and document financial commitments from congregations and groups willing to participate in the TIM program and strive to convert single or occasional special gifts to ongoing, sustaining TIM pledges through exceptional contributor care.
  • Encourage TIM program participants in ways designed to strengthen the likelihood of support renewal, support increase and support expansion into additional areas of the Synod’s work.
  • Manage the post-gift stewardship and appreciation component for the TIM program that delivers additional value to those who participate. 
• Serve as a professional advancement resource to LCMS missionaries funded by the Network Supported Model.
  • Support Synod’s Career missionaries on network-building strategies and network care.
  • Support the production and distribution of updated constituent reports for missionary access in Salesforce.
  • Monitor the network-building progress of missionaries.
  • Monitor new missionary assignments and serve on the OIM Mission Field Update Team.
  • Provide additional assistance in network building to all missionaries (as requested) by observing and evaluating presentations and providing direct feedback by attending Missionary Orientation and Monthly check-in meetings.
• Work with the Grant and Foundation writing team to facilitate grant acquisition for missionary funding support.
• Advocate for the conversion or transition of contributors to other giving opportunities, when necessary. 
• Professionally represent the Mission Advancement team when communicating and coordinating its work and activities both internally within LCMS, and externally among LCMS affiliate congregations, organizations and individuals.
• Less than 25% travel time required for training and networking.
• Assist with other Mission Advancement activities and projects as necessary. 

Education and Experience

• Active member of an LCMS congregation, preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required. 
• Minimum five years’ experience in an administrative, coordinating or program management environment, preferably in a nonprofit fundraising/advancement context. 

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Commitment to high standards of ethics, customer care, and professional integrity. 
• Above-average familiarity with the LCMS congregation structure and the Synod (corporate) organization. 
• Familiarity with accounting terminology and practices. 
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills in developing rapport with external and internal partners and internal organizational staff (primarily missionaries and program managers). 
• An organized, self-starter with a successful track record of work independently, managing multiple projects, and meeting deadlines. 
• Computer proficient; intermediate to advance knowledge/skills in the use of current administrative software, (e.g., Microsoft Office and Windows) applications, reporting tools, and with a preference for experience using Salesforce CRM. 
• Demonstrable skills in oral and written communications are required, some knowledge of cross-cultural differences, and formal training in customer service is a plus. 

Supervisory Responsibility

• None