Executive Director

Christian Encounter Ministries

Executive Director Search

Ministry Overview

Preamble: The Board of Directors will be seeking an individual of unique capabilities and calling to this Ministry. The position of Executive Director is of immense importance to individual supporters and volunteers, supporting churches, readers of the Expressions newsletter, CEM staff, interns who come for training, and, especially, the young people who find the healing power of Christ’s love at Christian Encounter Ministries. The Executive Director will have a lasting impact on each of these groups and every individual. That being said, the calling from the Lord to seek this position, and the confirmation of the Board of Directors, is firmly in the hands of the Savior and Lord whom we serve. It is our confidence that He will direct and lead this search process.

About Christian Encounter Ministries

Christian Encounter Ministries is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the mission of tending lives and training leaders. Since its inception in 1970, CEM has provided a safe haven for troubled youth to begin the process of restoration of their physical, emotional and spiritual lives. Christian Encounter Ministries has an 86-acre ranch with facilities for twelve to eighteen residents between the ages of 16 and 25. In this rural setting, the students have an opportunity to separate from their dysfunctional and often violent home atmosphere for a period of time, normally about one year. They are victims of sexual abuse, child abduction, drug abuse in the home, alcoholism, multiple parent combinations, abandonment, gang violence, educational deficiency, and many other issues. Christian Encounter Ministries provides a private high school curriculum and is approved by the State of California to grant high school diplomas. In this environment, students receive counseling by licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapists, spiritual guidance from a committed Christian staff, an opportunity to work and gain confidence and skill in practical areas, and live in a structured social milieu that promotes responsibility for oneself and others.

We offer these services to the students on a sliding scale basis. The families or guardians of the students are able to fund only about 20% of the ministries expenses. The balance is raised through sponsoring individuals and organizations. All financial operations are done in strict accordance with the guidelines of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, (ECFA).

Alongside the residential program, ("Tending Lives..."), we offer an internship opportunity for college students and graduates who want experience in working in the youth guidance and ministry fields, ("Training Leaders"). Interns come to CEM from many colleges around the country to supplement their academic training before continuing their education or going into their profession. Colleges from diverse backgrounds have granted internship credit for students serving at CEM. In providing this training we can multiply ourselves beyond the borders of our 86 acres, and touch the lives of many more young people.

THE POSITION

Executive Director

Part I: General Responsibilities

Development

1. Ministry Development: Oversee and encourage development of program curriculum for discipleship, counseling, work program, wilderness program and high school.

2. Facility Development: Plan for continuing renovation of buildings, remodel projects, work days, landscape design, property maintenance in accordance with master plan.

3. Staff Development: Responsible for recruiting and hiring of all staff positions. Maintain good working relationships among staff and serve as pastor to needs of staff.

b. Administration

1. Financial: Plan and direct fundraising events. Manage finances within the constraints of annual budget. Utilize business office staff for annual audit and reporting to Board and ECFA. Maintain donor base and contacts with donors via monthly letters and Expressions articles.

2. General: Represent CEM in all legal or ethical matters in conjunction with staff and/or Board of Directors.

3. Daily Operations: Delegate resources of staff and funding in various departments of CEM. Keep departments accountable to specific functions and encourage their efficient and successful daily operation. Provide inspiration, leadership, and problem solving for ministry departments.

c. Ministry Promotion

1. Communication with donors and supporting churches regarding the mission and purposes of CEM. Connect with Christian colleges and other organizations that will supply interns, staff and students to CEM.

2. Develop promotional materials, brochures, sermons, internet web site, video, and newsletter. Assist in development of motto, logo, (Tending Lives and Training Leaders).

3. Encourage and develop the outreach and fund-raising purposes of the Agony Ride.

d. Ministry Functions

1. Participate in regular ministry duties of CEM such as counseling, preaching, teaching, and supervision of students, interns and staff.

2. Assist in weekly, monthly, annual planning. Conduct or attend weekly department or general staff meetings.

e. Board of Directors

1. The executive director serves as a member of the Board of Directors, and is hired for the position by the Board. He or She will be responsible to the Board for communication regarding all aspects of Christian Encounter Ministries. The Board serves an administrative function and is the legal representative of the non-profit corporation.

Part II: Ministry Qualifications

a. Spiritual Qualities

1. The requirements for eldership as described in Titus 1, I Timothy 3, etc.

2. Qualities of the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5.

3. A concern for the ministry to broken youth, the training of young leaders, and openness to working with the entire Body of Christ.

b. Ministry Qualities

1. Skills in counseling and/or discipleship and/or preaching and/or teaching and/or administration and/or evangelism and/or financial management.

2. Experience in leadership and teamwork.

3. Experience with youth and the target audiences of the student and intern programs. 4. Commitment to God’s Word, and integration of biblical principles in personal life.

c. Education

1. Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Ministry or Administrative field or related field.

d. Physical Demands and Working Conditions

1. Mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.

2. Flexibility to attend meetings outside of regular work hours.

3. Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

Part III: Other Requirements

a. Credit history and criminal background check.

b. This job description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all inclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.