Principal Acts 29 Oak Hill Academy Gospel training when and where you need it created by:
About the Academy The Acts 29 Oak Hill Academy aims to provide excellent in-context theological training and resources to churches and church leaders in the UK, Europe and 10:40 window. By bringing together the church-planting focus and practical experience of Acts 29 with the wellestablished theological training expertise of Oak Hill College, we have created a Flexicademy, a new kind of organisation which offers flexible learning and rigorous training to: Make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ; Equip Christians and Christian Leaders in partnership with local missional churches; Nurture a culture of multiplication and church planting; and Invest in the next generation of missionary theologians. In short, we hope that the Academy will deliver gospel training when and where you need it. 2
Our distinctives: We know that the UK and some parts of Europe are already well-served with some great theological training. And we thank God for those organisations. But we believe that the Academy is distinctive because of three factors: Delivery We re not a residential college, asking students to move away from their home and ministry. But we re also not a pure distance learning course where students learn in isolation at the end of a laptop. Our training is in-context with an innovative blend of intensive residentials, tutor-led small groups and independent study Theology Our theology is Reformational, Evangelical and Missional, standing firmly in the traditions of evangelicalism. All our faculty and tutors are practitioners, and our seminary-level students must be active in a ministry, meaning that we place a strong emphasis on working theology through to practice, even as the day-to-day challenges of ministry ask questions of our theology Geography Whilst much of our work to-date has been in the UK, the Academy is focused on serving Europe and, eventually, the 10:40 window. Already 13 nations are represented on our seminary-level course, and we are seeking to expand by creating contextualisation and teaching hubs in French- and German-speaking countries in the coming years. 3
Our team: The Academy is already staffed by a dedicated team who drive the academic and operational aspects of the work, as well as local tutors and supporters across the UK and Europe. Dr Tim Chester. Tim is a pastor of Grace Church in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, a faculty member with The Acts 29 Oak Hill Academy. He is the author of over 30 books and commentaries including You Can Change, A Meal with Jesus and co-author of Total Church. Dr Jonny Woodrow. Jonny Woodrow is pastor of The Crowded House in Loughborough and a founding faculty member of the Acts 29 Oak Hill Academy. He is co-author of Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God. Revd. Dr. Tim Ward. Tim Ward teaches at Oak Hill Theological College, having previously taught at the Proclamation Trust Cornhill Training Course. Before that he was the pastor of a church in Leicestershire. He has written a book on the doctrine of Scripture. Dr Dan Strange. Dan Strange is Academic Vice Principal at Oak Hill College, lecturing in Culture, Religion and Public Theology. With a PhD from Bristol University, he leads a North London church. His most recent monograph is For Their Rock is Not as Our Rock: An Evangelical Theology of Religions Additionally, Chris Rimmer serves as Project Director, Rob Krause is the European Contextualisation Coordinator, Graham Cutts oversees the seminary-level student experience and Sarah Brown keeps the whole thing organised as Administrator. This role will head up the Academy, overseeing and managing this team. 4
The board: The Principal will report to the Board, which acts on Governance and Accountability. Currently the Board consists of: Steve Timmis Executive Director of Acts 29 and Lead Pastor of The Crowded House Church in Sheffield. Steve is the chair and the official Acts 29 representative on the Academy Board, with particular expertise on the vision and strategy of the Academy. Ian Roberts CEO of Christianity Explored and member of the Oak Hill College Council. Ian is the official Oak Hill representative on the Board, with particular expertise in finances and operating an international ministry. Dan Strange Academic Vice Principal at Oak Hill College. Dan is one of the two faculty member representatives on the board, with particular expertise in the academic processes and systems required for rigorous theological education. Tim McMahon Operations Vice Principal at Oak Hill College. Tim has particular expertise in the operational management of theological institutions. Jonny Woodrow Lead Pastor at The Crowded House Loughborough and former Director of The Porterbrook Network. Jonny is the second faculty member representative on the board, with particular expertise in developing the Flexicademy approach to theological education. Jennifer Charteris Senior Manager at Virgin Money and a Director of the Eaga Trust. Jen is an organisational consultant with a long history of activity in both the Christian and secular worlds, now working as a senior manager at Virgin Money. She has particular expertise in organisational development, structures and HR. 5
Role Overview Who are we looking for? The Academy is looking for an experienced leader to be accountable for the running of the Academy, focused on the theological formation, training and equipping of Christians, congregations and church leaders in the UK, Europe and 10:40 window. The Principal will be a visionary leader, have a passion for the role that theological education can play in facilitating and catalysing church planting and pastoring, and experience of managing international organisations. For God s glory, our new Principal will shape, deliver and assure the core curriculum programmes at entry-, foundation- and seminary-level, as well as leading the Academy strategically, operationally and publically. 6
Why is this exciting: This role has the potential to be hugely influential for the Kingdom of God from a range of perspectives. It sits at the heart of Acts 29 s vision for equipping church planters to reach the lost. It sits at the heart of Oak Hill College s desire to see rigorous theology flexibly delivered to a wider audience. The Academy has the potential to shape church leaders and congregations across the world, facilitating them to fulfil the Great Commission. In particular, the Principal will oversee a 250k- 500k budget as the Academy seeks to deliver in five areas: Our Seminary-level course delivering excellent in-context theological training to assistant church leaders, aspiring church planters and even those already in-post wanting a top-up Our Foundation-level course delivering excellent in-context theological resources to help church leaders train their congregations, whether in biblical theology, doctrine, pastoral issues or the fundamental task of mission Our Entry-level course delivering excellent in-context theological resources to help church leaders equip new Christians or those from an urban poor background who would struggle to access standard theological courses Our contextualisation programme initially just our foundation-level courses, but hopefully expanding to entry- and seminary-level, this programme seeks to de-anglicise our materials by translating and adjusting the courses to be even more relevant to students in Europe and the 10:40 window Our Accreditation programme we believe that the effort students put into their studies should be recognised with internationally-transferable qualifications from reputable institutions. Our vision: By 2020, the Board aspire to have consolidated our position as a leading UK and European Flexicademy because of its consistently excellent provision of in-context theological training and resources. The Academy faculty, with the support of Acts 29, Oak Hill College and other writers, will have trained over 150 students at an accredited seminary level across multiple hubs, supporting the ministry of churches all across Europe and the 10:40 window. Additionally, it will have seeded the creation of other flexicademies across the world in partnership with local seminaries in agreement with its values and theological position (especially in the 10:40 window), translating and contextualising its content to facilitate this. To achieve this, it will be a centre for thought leaders in the development of like-minded theology. It will catalyse the exchange of insight, instruction and expertise into these contexts in three main ways. Firstly, cutting-edge research to drive further curriculum developments and practice in areas such as inward mission as Academy hubs become centres of competence; secondly, conferences to feed and disseminate this research; thirdly, a well-developed network of practitioners. 7
Core details Overall objectives: The Principal will: Provide executive leadership of the Academy by steering the enterprise to fulfil its mission, vision and values within the parameters set by The Board; Oversee all aspects of the Academy s operations including marketing, administration, curriculum, finance, communications, operations and HR; Shape the programmes needed to achieve the Academy s strategic goals, identifying and allocating the roles needed to deliver them excellently; and Be the public face of the Academy. Key responsibilities: More specifically, the Principal will themselves be responsible to: Develop and maintain a strategic plan, in consultation with the Board, ensuring the plan is updated regularly and rolled-out across all hubs; Provide regular feedback and assurance to the Board with respect to strategic execution as well as seeking approval on key decisions; Play a full part in the academic administration of the Academy, attending all committees and board meetings; Create and manage a budget, maintain effective financial controls and ensure budgetary compliance; Ensure that effective systems and structures are built and maintained for a sustainable organisation; Line-manage faculty and staff, including setting goals and objectives for employees whilst developing them within well-defined roles; Maintain regular contact with customers on the ground; Participate in professional development activities and to seek through regular appraisals to attain the highest possible standards in leadership; and Publically represent and promote the Academy from time-to-time by attending and speaking at key events. 8
Person profile: The Academy is looking for a gospel-hearted person who fulfils these criteria: Motive and Vision: Can articulate a passion and rationale for church planting as central to God s mission strategy; Understands the demands of planting new churches, especially the need to train and equip congregations and upcoming leaders; Can articulate a vision for living missionally and/or have experience in building a missional culture in the local church or ministry; Is committed to shaping and equipping believers in the context of the local church pastorally and academically; Has a global perspective, with a particular understanding of what it means to build a pan-european and 10:40 window training capability; and Is able to work wholeheartedly, generously and open-handedly, holding Reformed, Evangelical, Missional beliefs in line with the Academy s Statement of Faith. Character and Style: Role-models an organised and disciplined life, setting high standards and supporting those standards with practical routines; Shows drive and the ability to deliver on-time, on-quality and on-budget; Combines humility with the confidence and skill to lead others; Demonstrates a flexible working style, readily adapting to different people and situations, contexts and cultures; Fosters teamwork and collaboration; and Is interpersonally effective, able to engage and influence people of different backgrounds from different constituencies. Core Functional Experience and Skills Essential: Appropriate experience of the leadership of not-for-profit or corporate organisations; A qualification in theology, church history or other relevant field; Desirable: The experience of tutoring across a broad range of theological topics; Experience of working across multiple denominations; Appropriate experience of Christian leadership, church planting and/or pastoral leadership; Experience of working within theological training institutions; and Proficient in one or more non-english European languages. 9
Key details Location Package Start-date Contract Hours of work Reports to Direct reports Terms In the UK or Europe with ability to travel regularly to the UK A generous package including matching pension contribution is on offer, depending on experience, qualifications and location. Additionally, the Principal will be given 25 days annual leave. Flexible to the successful applicant s situation but ideally between 7th April 2017 and 1st September 2017 Permanent Full-time Academy Board Faculty, Operations Staff, Contextualisation Manager, Student Experience coordinators, Administrators Standard Academy Terms and Conditions apply Note 1: There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) that the post-holder is a Christian. Regulation 7(2)a of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 applies. Note 2: The successful applicant must be available to attend seminary-level residentials from 4th-8th and 11th-15th September 2017 inclusive. Existing annual leave plans outside of this range will be accommodated where possible 10
How to apply Applications should be sent by email to Chris Rimmer (Project Director) at academyprincipal@acts29.com. Your application should comprise of: A full CV, including educational and professional qualifications, a full employment history showing the more significant positions and responsibilities held, relevant achievements and latest remuneration (including benefits) A covering note of not more than 2 pages (total) summarising your motivation and interest in the role, and a description of how your skills, experience and knowledge make you qualified 2 contacts who can provide references before the second-round interviews upon request. The closing date for applications is 28th February 2017. First-round interviews will be completed by Chris Rimmer (Project Director) and at least one Board member between 6th and 17th March 2017, subject to applicant availability. Second-round interviews are likely to be completed by Steve Timmis (Board Chair), at least one Board member and Chris Rimmer (Project Director) before 31st March 2017, subject to applicant availability. You can expect to hear from us by 7th April. Any deviation from these dates will be communicated clearly to the applicants. 11
Acts 29 Oak Hill Academy Gospel training when and where you need it created by: