Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care/Chaplain

About the Opportunity

The mission of American Baptist College (ABC), a historically Black College with a liberal arts emphasis, is to educate, graduate, and prepare diverse students for Christian leadership, service, and social justice.

Teaching Philosophy of ABC

The teaching philosophy at American Baptist College aims to help students develop a rigorous spirit of curiosity that connects theory to praxis, promotes community and inclusion, and cultivates habits of life- long learning through continuous self-reflection and self-evaluation. To accomplish these aims we will teach our students to grow ethically and spiritually by expanding their vision to include the principles of social justice, equity, advocacy, and leadership (SEAL) to build their analytical and interpretative skills

in both faith communities and the broader society.

Job Description

The Chaplain and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care is a dual-role position that combines academic instruction in pastoral care with the spiritual and pastoral support to the college community. This individual will teach courses in pastoral care and related theological fields while also providing spiritual guidance, pastoral support, and religious programming for students, faculty, and staff. This full-time position requires a dynamic individual who can balance academic responsibilities with spiritual leadership on campus.  The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and the holistic development of students within the context of the college’s mission and values. 

Responsibilities

Academic Responsibilities (50%) reports to the Academic Dean

·       Teaching:  Teach pastoral care courses (theology, spiritual formation and related areas) concentration of the Bible and Theology degree program.

·       Employ innovative and inclusive pedagogical approaches to engage students, foster critical thinking, and integrate academic knowledge with practical application.

·       Mentor and advise students academically, spiritually, and vocationally.

·       Scholarship: Engage in scholarly research and publication in the field of pastoral care, theology, or related disciplines.

·       Present at academic conferences and contribute to the intellectual life of the institution.

·       Service:  Participate in departmental and college-wide committees, faculty meetings, and accreditation processes. 

·       Collaborate with colleagues to enhance the curriculum of the Bible & Theology degree program as well as to support interdisciplinary teaching and learning opportunities.

Chaplaincy Responsibilities (50%) reports to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs

·       Leadership: Provide spiritual guidance and pastoral care to students, faculty, and staff of all faith traditions and those exploring spirituality.

·       Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment that respects diverse religious and spiritual perspectives.

·       Develop and nurture student leadership in spiritual and service-related activities.

·       Programming: Plan and lead spiritual formation programs.

·       Coordinate campus-wide spiritual programming, including retreats, workshops, and interfaith dialogue initiatives.

·       Crisis Support:  Offer pastoral support during times of crisis, grief, or personal difficulty for members of the college community.

·       Collaborate with counseling services and other campus resources to provide holistic care.

·       Community Engagement: Build relationships with local faith communities and organizations to enhance the spiritual life of the college, Serve as a visible and accessible presence on campus, engaging with students and fostering a sense of belonging.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to fostering a welcoming environment for individuals from varied backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate faith and learning in an academic context.

• Organizational skills to balance teaching, scholarship, and chaplaincy responsibilities effectively.

• Crisis management and conflict resolution skills.

Qualifications:

•       Doctorate (Ph.D. or D.Min.) in Pastoral Care, Theology, Counseling, or a related field with CPE credentials.
•       Ordination or equivalent standing within a recognized religious tradition.
•        Demonstrated experience in pastoral care, chaplaincy, or congregational ministry.
•          Experience working in higher education with the proven ability to teach at the undergraduate level with a record of teaching excellence. 
•        Experience in pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, or spiritual care, preferably in a higher education setting with the ability to design and implement spiritual life programming.
•        Familiarity with current trends in higher education chaplaincy and pastoral care.
•        Teaching experience at the college or seminary level, with a demonstrated record of excellence in instruction.