The Episcopal Diocese of Texas Position Profile
Position Title: Vicar of Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church (LOTS), Houston Current as of: April 1, 2015 Contact: Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Canon Kathryn M. Ryan,
[email protected] SUMMARY Full time position: Vicar of a congregation serving the homeless and marginalized, funded by the Diocese, local congregations, and individuals. In addition to Sunday worship (ASA 253), LOTS offers weekday Bible studies, pastoral care, ministry of presence on the streets, and advocacy. The Vicar also plays a key role in fund development, leading the Bishop's Committee in visioning the future development of the ministry, collaborating with social service agencies, and raising the visibility of LOTS with Episcopal and non-Episcopal congregations in the area. CHARACTERISTICS OF DESIRED LEADER Priest and Pastor • Face of Christ to the Homeless – needs to be out there, visible, doing Christ’s work in a way seen by congregation and the community • Comfortable around and able to connect with those on the margins – the mentally ill, people who “blame everybody but me”, those with a criminal background • Sunday church service – uses a preaching style that engages with people • Prays with people – individually & sacramentally, wherever it might be • Encourager – in preaching, caring, leading worship • Able to make adjustments to vocabulary and practice in order to connect with people who might not understand authority • Make people feel worthy of your time Connector and Asset in Development • Be the public face of LOTS – Reflect LOTS in the Diocese & community all the time • Fundraising Skills – will develop resources to increase staff in order to increase services • Develops connections in Diocese and community in order to create relationships and partnerships for collaborative and financial support • Humble knowledge of the mental health system and issues Administrator • Administrative Skills – must wear lot of hats until the burden can be reduced by calling additional staff • Social work background or understanding • Collaborative with Bishop’s Committee – supportive & encouraging and leading • Vision setter – able to help Bishop’s Committee look toward the future • Experience in building and developing a staff Community Leader and Teacher • Knowledge about homelessness – what it is and what it is not A Person of a Particular Character • Large personality • Generous • Encouraging connections with homeless • Compassionate & humble in order to relate to this population • Joyous – glad to see everyone, able to impart a sense of hope to all • Good listener – to homeless, to Bishop’s Committee • Slow to make changes – curious about why things have been done in current fashion • Balanced – able to serve and lead effectively and manage a schedule that can often be disrupted • Quiet confidence • Passion for the parishioners – will be out on the streets visiting them
