Wingate University is a teaching-focused institution serving more than 3,600 students across two campuses. Located on a beautiful 500+ acre main campus, Wingate offers a close-knit, supportive community where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Wingate is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and welcomes applicants who are excited to join our mission and make an impact. Learn more at University in Charlotte, NC | Quick Facts About Wingate. The mission of Wingate University is to develop educated, ethical and productive global citizens. Following its Judeo-Christian heritage, the university seeks to cultivate the following in its students: Faith, Knowledge and Service. The University’s Mission statement can be found here.
Position Summary:
The Campus Minister will be a Christian pastor and teacher devoted to the spiritual care and religious education of Wingate’s diverse student body. Serving in the Office of the University Chaplain, the Campus Minister will offer pastoral ministry to individual students; collaborate with the Chaplain in designing and executing faith-based initiatives, especially the Office’s ministry to faith-based student organizations and to communities beyond campus; cultivate partnerships with local religious ministers and bodies that can serve students; promote the Office’s visibility and accessibility to the student body; and teach two undergraduate classes per semester. Attentive to Wingate’s Baptist heritage and pluralist present, the Campus Minister will practice a distinctively Christian ministry that celebrates and encourages the spiritual life at work in each student across the spectrum of religious and non-religious traditions. To these ends, the Campus Minister will bear the following responsibilities:
Duties/Responsibilities:
Provide pastoral care to individual students
Nurture a campus faith environment where all are embraced and all are both encouraged and resourced to pursue spiritual growth in community with other members of the Wingate family
Support the University Chaplain in designing and facilitating faith-centered activities responsive to the range of spiritual needs on campus (e.g., chapel services for Christian believers, arts events for interfaith and skeptical audiences, discussion forums on spiritual matters impacting the entire community)
Guide the Office of the University Chaplain in ministering to faith-based student organizations
Guide the Office of the University Chaplain in designing, organizing, and leading faith-centered service opportunities for students, domestically and/or internationally
Cultivate relationships with local faith leaders, communities, and organizations, with particular attention to interdenominational and interfaith connections, in order to facilitate the spiritual pursuits of Wingate’s diverse students
Promote the visibility and accessibility of the University Chaplain’s Office by (1) regularly attending student events (e.g., games, fairs, performances) and (2) establishing and curating for the Office a presence on social media and on Wingate’s student-facing digital platforms
Support the University Chaplain in seeking grants for programs and projects that contribute to the spiritual health of Wingate students
Pursue conversation and partnership with colleagues at peer institutions, local faith leaders, and Wingate students to enrich the ministry of the University Chaplain’s Office
Participate in conferences, trainings, and other programs to deepen and expand the Campus Minister’s capacity for spiritual care
Teach two undergraduate classes per semester according to the Campus Minister’s credentials and the University’s curricular needs
Invest earnestly and consistently in the Campus Minister’s own spiritual vitality
Required Qualifications:
A foundational Christian faith consistent with the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed
A deep love and enjoyment of college students
A robust understanding of the dynamics of spiritual formation among this generation of emerging adults
An understanding of contemporary Christian, interfaith, and non-religious perspectives shaping society at large and university campuses specifically
A capacity and desire to serve in a pluralist context where Christian ministry involves encouraging students of multiple religious traditions and none in their distinctive pursuits of meaning
Genuine respect for both conservative and progressive students
Skill in bridging sensitive divides and pursuing relationship with no expectation of agreement
Effective communication across multiple mediums and a variety of audiences
Exceptional emotional intelligence
Personal resilience and wisdom in the practice of relational boundaries and self-care
A willingness and ability to attend some after-hours student events each month
A master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution (i.e., academic credentials/preparation to teach)
A cover letter
A resume/CV
Preferred Qualifications:
3+ years of experience in campus ministry, congregational ministry, chaplaincy, counseling, or related work
Some training or coursework concerning mental health
A measure of extroversion and levity
Experience leading service projects domestically or internationally
Substantial experience in interfaith dialogue
Social media savvy
Benefits & Employee Experience:
Wingate University is committed to supporting employees both personally and professionally through a comprehensive benefits package and a collaborative campus community. Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plan with institutional contribution; paid time off and holidays; tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents; and access to campus facilities, wellness resources, and professional development opportunities.
Application Instructions:
Thank you for your interest in joining the Wingate University community. Please complete all sections of the application and upload all required documents, including a cover letter and a resume/CV.
Special Instructions:
If a previous school, employer, or organization does not appear in the dropdown menu, please remove that section using the trash can icon and upload the relevant information in your application materials instead. This will insure your application moves forward without delay.
In compliance with applicable law and University policies, Wingate University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation or gender identity), age, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. At this time, we are currently seeking candidates with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
