Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University and the Sider Center for Ministry and Public Policy invite applications for a tenure track position in Public Policy and Christian Ethics. This is a joint appointment between Palmer Seminary and the Sider Center, with dual responsibilities as an instructor and as Coordinator of Public Policy Programs for the Sider Center/ESA. The full time position begins January 2009/Fall 2009. Salary and faculty rank commensurate with experience. Completed doctorate required.
We seek a colleague with teaching experience who
• is wholeheartedly committed to the mission and doctrinal basis of the Seminary (http://www.palmerseminary.edu, About Palmer)
• is enthusiastic about the vision and mission of the Sider Center (http://www.palmerseminary.edu/, The Sider Center)
• pursues personal and professional renewal as a follower of Jesus Christ
• loves the local church, has a record of effective pastoral ministry, and is actively involved in Christian ministries
• seeks to combine scholarship, activism and popular communication
• has a record of developing and administering innovative church-related programs related to public policy and political engagement
• intentionally engages the global, international body of Christ
• relates effectively in a variety of ethnic, cultural and generational contexts
• serves both church and academy with his or her scholarship
• fully supports women in ordained and other forms of ministry
• is enthusiastic about learning-centered approaches in the classroom
• has collaborative instincts and demonstrated cross-disciplinary skills
• reflects critically on his or her own practices of teaching and learning
Position responsibilities as an instructor include teaching four courses a year in the Seminary’s degree programs, coordinating Palmer’s MTS concentration in Christian Faith and Public Policy, engaging in faculty development, participating in the worship life of the Seminary and attending faculty meetings. The successful candidate will also 1) facilitate learning in a variety of styles and from diverse student perspectives; 2) integrate study of theology, public policy and Christian ethics with practical realities and challenging opportunities in local and global church ministry contexts; 3) facilitate development of skills and habits of exegeting and responding effectively to ministry contexts; 4) invite and respond to student feedback regularly during the course of a semester; 5) design assignments with criteria for successful performance that invite students to use imagination, integrate classroom and experience-based learning, and creatively demonstrate selected competencies; 6) support students in the practice of self-assessment for personal and professional growth.
As Coordinator of Public Policy Programs for the Sider Center/ESA the successful candidate will 1) oversee ESA’s public policy programs in cooperation with ESA’s president; 2) oversee ESA’s educational work on public policy including the public policy track of the weekly ePistle; 3) oversee ESA’s ongoing activities endorsing policy initiatives, legislation, etc.; 4) oversee discussion/analysis of new public policy initiatives; 5) assist in the coordination of Evangelical/Catholic dialogue on public policy, and of the World Evangelical Alliance’s global project on political engagement; 6) assist in review of ESA’s work in public policy and the development of new initiatives.
Palmer Seminary serves the church and its ministries locally and globally through educational programs that develop women and men committed to the whole Gospel, for the whole world, through whole persons. Our Philadelphia campus is located on the border between the city and the suburbs. We also serve the Appalachian region with our West Virginia Program. As an American Baptist seminary our community includes multiple denominations, cultures and races. Denominations include American Baptist, National Baptist, Progressive National Baptist, United Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Pentecostal and Mennonite.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Eastern University complies with federal and state guidelines for nondiscrimination in employment. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts, a research and writing plan, and three professional recommendations with attention to the appropriate search number to:
Eastern University
Search # 0807
Office of Human Resources
1300 Eagle Road
St. Davids, PA 19087-3696
