Worship Resource Developer, Congregational Resources (Minneapolis, Hybrid)

Worship Resource Developer, Congregational Resources, Augsburg Fortress Publishers (Hybrid Work Model)

Are you a pastor, deacon, or other worship leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who cares deeply about supporting the ongoing renewal of worship in congregations of the ELCA? Would you thrive as part of a team that is collaborative, enthusiastic, and flexible in its development of both print and digital resources that foster and enhance congregational life?

Does your skill set include excellent written communication, editorial experience, congregational worship planning and leadership, assessing textual and visual content for use in a worship setting, and familiarity with the breadth and depth of Lutheran worship practices?

Are you plugged in to networks of Lutheran pastors, deacons, musicians, writers, teachers, and other leaders from which you could draw and cultivate outstanding creative contributors to our resources?

If the opportunity to support worshiping assemblies and their leaders in their weekly gathering around word and sacrament at this time of change in church and world excites you, the Worship Resource Developer position on the Congregational Team at Augsburg Fortress Publishers may be just the job for you.

Augsburg Fortress Publishers (AFP) is a multimedia company composed of five vital, creative imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books and Broadleaf Books. We are the publishing ministry for the ELCA and create resources for spiritual growth and development, for Christian worship and faith formation, and for academic study and professional development. AFP strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply.

The Congregational Team (comprised of two imprints: Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse) is hiring a Worship Resource Developer to join its team of developers/editors, marketers, and designers who publish and market a wide variety of resources annually for worship and music, faith formation, devotional life, and Bible study to support the ministries of faith communities in communicating the good news of God’s liberating grace.

The Worship Resource Developer is responsible for leading or co-leading the content development and editorial processes for our annual worship resource portfolio, including the print-based Sundays and Seasons worship planning series and the ongoing enhancement of our online worship platform, SundaysandSeasons.com. This role leads the development of visual and devotional content for our weekly bulletin line; oversees the annual development cycle for the subscription bulletins and inserts (Celebrate, Today’s Readings); and participates in proposing, concepting, and developing worship education and support materials for ELCA church leaders and worshipers. This role involves supporting and developing creative contributors, developing and maintaining an annual editorial workflow, suggesting product and process improvements, and providing input to the systems that support our webstore.

Due to the fast-paced nature, volume, and variety of projects, the role requires strong skills in schedule management, meeting deadlines, proactive-problem solving, and effective communication with stakeholders. Comprehensive onboarding, training, and ongoing professional support will equip the selected candidate with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in this role.

The Worship Resource Developer is part of our hybrid work model, requiring residence in the Twin Cities. This position requires working onsite at our Minneapolis office 2-3 days a week.

The Worship Resource Developer holds these responsibilities

1. Resource Development and Editing

• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with a diverse group of writers and creative partners to source high-quality material for worship planning, devotional, and study resources
• Develops networks of creative talent to ensure partners understand the specific tone and requirements for each project and brand
• Leads the creation of project briefs for writers, artists, and designers to ensure clear direction for project development and execution
• Monitors ongoing work from creative partners, offering feedback to help them meet approved project descriptions and specifications
• Reviews and edits creative submissions for customer focus, quality, and alignment with project goals and brand identity
• Supports and helps review submitted, commissioned, or internally developed materials subject to the ELCA’s liturgical and theological review policy
• Identifies, enlists, and oversees external contributors, such as freelance editors, as needed to complete projects

1. Collaboration and Communication

• Acts as a liaison between the Congregational Team and other AFP or ELCA teams on liturgical resource development, ensuring effective coordination
• Participates in Worship Resource Development Working Group (WRDWG), a cross-functional team comprised of AF and ELCA worship staff
• Stays informed on current liturgical and theological issues within the ELCA

1. Strategic Planning and Customer Engagement

• Engages in customer-focused strategic planning for both print and digital liturgical and devotional resources, seeking innovative ways to address customer needs
• Prepares resource proposals based on customer research and feedback, working with the Congregational Team to create breakthrough products and services for congregations and ministries
• Coordinates project teams to deliver specific project goals
• Responds to customer inquiries about current and future resources and collects suggestions and ideas directly from users
• Researches and maintains up-to-date knowledge of competitor resources from other publishers
• Participates in ongoing strategic planning and helps shape marketing plans and strategies for new and existing products
• Contributes to annual product development budgeting and monitors selected budget line items for accuracy

1. Ongoing Learning, Travel, and Representation

• Stays informed on societal and worship trends, applying this knowledge to innovate and improve print and digital resources
• Observes and evaluates how congregational resources (from Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, and other providers) are used in practice
• Identifies and participates in relevant professional development opportunities
• Attends at least one event annually to work at the Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse resource booth (requires travel)
• Represents AFP at one or more agreed-upon professional organizations and events annually, ensuring visibility and engagement (requires travel)

1. Offers support to and performs other duties as assigned by the Publisher

Desired education and experience:

• M.A. in theology, religion, English, or other closely related field
• 3-5 years’ experience in a professional role in a congregational setting, preferably within an ELCA context; ELCA rostered minister status desirable
• Experience in religious publishing, editing, or related media fields, as well as experience with developing congregational worship and/or faith formation resources, is desirable

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to speak, write, and edit with clarity, precision, and enthusiasm
• Ability to develop schedules for and manage simultaneous projects with attention to detail and accuracy, avid follow-up, and adherence to deadlines
• Ability to evaluate creative work to ensure alignment with overall goals
• Familiarity with basic editorial workflow
• Familiarity with the Microsoft 365 suite, or demonstrated interest in and ability to learn new digital tools quickly
• Familiarity with the church year and the Revised Common Lectionary
• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) 18th Edition
• Ability to learn and use Augsburg Fortress house style guide
• Highly organized approach to all editorial tasks to ensure schedules, files, and expectations are in good order
• Deep commitment to building high-trust relationships among Congregational Team members and cross-functional colleagues
• Knowledge of and commitment to Christian doctrine, heritage, constituency, and mission, especially as understood and practiced across the diverse communities of the ELCA
• Knowledge of and commitment to guiding principles for worship in the ELCA as articulated and demonstrated in The Use of the Means of Grace (1997), Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), and All Creation Sings (2020), and their implications for resource development carried out by the ELCA’s publishing ministry

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $63,000 annually. The offered starting salary will be based on the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data for this position.

Please include your resume, cover letter, and references with your application. Apply using the specified link: http://bit.ly/4ntwrps

Augsburg Fortress Publishers offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including health, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible savings account, retirement plan, supplemental life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, and other voluntary plans. Company paid benefits provided are short-term and long-term disability, and basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. Time off plans include vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement, and paid parenting leave. Also included is a pre-tax transportation program and no-cost gym access nearby. You will join a collaborative and creative hybrid work environment, with a talented group of 80 individuals who have a passion for their work. The corporate headquarters is located in the North Loop, Minneapolis with access to Light Rail and Metro Transit bus lines.