Description

The Executive Director of Spiritual Life is responsible for the spiritual formation strategy of the school and participates in the spiritual nurture of students and staff.  This role ensures the intentional cultivation of a biblical worldview and spiritual formation across all school programs, classrooms, and operations, aligning them with the school’s foundational documents and mission.

I. Spiritual Formation and Discipleship

• Promote the Christian biblical culture in accordance with the Carmel Statement of Faith to those individuals in contact with the school, including students, their families, faculty & staff members, visitors, and those making inquiries about Carmel Christian School.
• Intentionally cultivate a biblical worldview and spiritual formation through school programs directed at students, staff and parents.
• Oversee spiritual formation initiatives, including the development of Christian character through discipleship, mentoring, and outreach opportunities for students.
• Lead efforts directed toward students, staff and parents that foster a Christlike culture characterized by a compassionate, caring, and respectful environment, sensitive to the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and varying needs of each student and family.
• Ensure student leadership development through regular training and opportunities for students to take an active role in spiritual leadership and student activities under the direction of adult mentors.
• Build relationships with students in classes, lunchroom, Bible studies and leadership groups. Build relationships with local church ministerial staff from churches represented at our school.

II. Spiritual Life Program Assessment and Improvement

• Systematically assess discipleship-oriented Expected Student Outcomes (ESOs) related to CCS’s Portrait of a Graduate and use the assessments for improvement of school Spiritual Life programs and/or operations.
• Conduct internal and external spiritual formation assessments of students, including both formative and summative assessments. Conduct external summative student spiritual formation assessments at least every other year. Utilizes this data to adjust programs and policies to impact the lives of students and provide a culture where faith development flourishes.
• Assist the Education Team Leadership to ensure the school’s instructional program is biblically-based and integrates a biblical worldview and effective discipling efforts throughout each discipline and program including arts and athletics.
• Assist with evaluating and enhancing Bible curriculum by incorporating engaging learning experiences and instructional strategies.

III. Faculty & Staff Support

• Develop and participate in faculty and staff professional development programs designed to encourage a growth mindset among faculty and school leadership, focusing on best practices and meeting student needs including training in the Bible, biblical integration, and Christian philosophy of education. Such professional development should include strong, ongoing, and internally led professional development activities, collaboration, mentoring, data-informed professional development planning. Ensure adequate time and financial resources are allocated for such professional development activities.
• Lead efforts to support the staff in discipleship and mentoring opportunities.
• Develop and participate in formal training to staff on how to nurture the spiritual formation of students (e.g., how to act as role models and formal or informal mentors).

IV. Missions Engagement

• Provide and support a variety of opportunities for students to be engaged in ministry that contributes to the Great Commission, encouraging ministry in the local church, the community, and abroad.
• Ensure coordination with the Carmel Baptist Missions ministry to identify and effectively engage with local, national and international partnerships. 

V. Parent Engagement

• Assess CCS parent and student commitment to family discipleship through church, home and school. Use data from surveys and personal interaction with parents to develop and enhance programs and strategies designed to enhance parent engagement in discipleship.
• Ensure discipleship opportunities for parents are embedded in school programming. Such may be accomplished through programs such as Parent University, Chapel Hub, parent events such as Parent Summit, and parent-student events such as Daddy-Daughter Dance and the like.
• Educate and equip parents about the opportunities to connect discipleship in the school with discipleship efforts at home and provide resources for parents that connect parents to school-based discipleship efforts (e.g., Windy Gap prayer guide and daily updates). 

Other Duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Bible or theology is preferred.

Skills: Must have strong written and verbal skills to effectively communicate through various mediums including in-person, electronically, and over the phone. Must be an effective planner, able to manage events and coordinate with other departments to accomplish goals. Must have basic computer skills including word processing, email and Internet. 

Experience:  At least five years experience in an educational and/or ministry leadership role is required, preferably in a Christian school setting. Knowledge and experience with classroom instruction that includes biblical integration is strongly preferred.  Knowledge and experience with discipleship strategies and programming for children and youth is strongly preferred. 

Physical Demands/Work Environment:  Must be able to sit at a desk at least 50% of the time.  Must be able to lift 40 pounds.  It is expected that all school staff members will participate in extracurricular activities with the students to the extent that they are able. This may include physical activities such as sporting events and competitions.

Mental Requirements: Must be able to work as part of a team, with a strong work ethic to achieve school goals, effective time management and multitasking abilities.  Must be able to maintain positive relationships with faculty, staff, parents and students.  Must be able to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks. Must be comfortable in school-wide public speaking and representing the school to the community.