Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Theological Instructor

🎯 Role Definition

As a Theological Instructor, you will serve as a cornerstone of our academic and spiritual community. Your primary mission will be to impart deep theological knowledge, cultivate critical thinking skills, and foster the spiritual development of our students. You will be responsible for designing and delivering engaging courses, contributing to the intellectual life of the institution through your own scholarly research, and actively mentoring students as they prepare for lives of service and leadership. This position requires not only academic excellence but also a personal commitment to the faith and values that underpin our institution's mission. You will be a scholar, a teacher, a mentor, and a vital contributor to our vibrant community.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Doctoral (Ph.D., Th.D.) Candidate or recent graduate
Adjunct or Visiting Assistant Professor
Pastor or Minister with advanced academic credentials

Advancement To:

Associate/Full Professor with Tenure
Department Chair or Program Director
Academic Dean or Dean of the Seminary

Lateral Moves:

Academic Editor for a theological press or journal
Policy Advisor for faith-based organizations and NGOs
Full-time Pastoral Ministry or denominational leadership

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and deliver dynamic, academically rigorous courses in areas such as systematic theology, biblical exegesis, church history, and practical ministry.
Teach a full-time course load as assigned (typically 12 credit hours per semester), employing diverse pedagogical methods for both in-person and online learning environments.
Actively engage in scholarly research and writing, leading to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and substantive contributions to the broader academic theological discourse.
Serve as a dedicated academic advisor, mentoring students in their educational and vocational paths by providing guidance on course selection, research projects, and career opportunities.
Contribute to ongoing curriculum development and review, ensuring course offerings are current, relevant, and faithfully aligned with the institution's educational mission and theological convictions.
Foster the spiritual formation and character development of students through intentional classroom integration, one-on-one discipleship, and active participation in chapel services and community life.
Maintain regular and accessible office hours to provide robust academic support and mentorship to students, fostering a welcoming and supportive learning environment.
Grade student assignments, research papers, and examinations in a timely and constructive manner, providing substantive feedback designed to facilitate academic and intellectual growth.
Supervise and guide graduate student research, including master's theses and doctoral dissertations, providing expert direction from the proposal stage through the final defense.
Integrate faith and learning within the classroom, demonstrating how theological principles apply to contemporary life, ministry challenges, and global issues.
Uphold and articulate the institution's doctrinal statement and missional ethos in all professional activities, serving as a model of faith and scholarship for the community.
Stay current with advancements in theological scholarship, pedagogical theory, and educational technology to ensure a standard of instructional excellence.

Secondary Functions

Participate actively in departmental and institutional governance by serving on faculty committees, such as curriculum, admissions, and academic standards committees.
Represent the institution with professionalism at academic conferences, denominational meetings, and public forums, enhancing the school's reputation and professional network.
Collaborate with faculty colleagues on interdisciplinary projects, program development, and co-curricular activities that enrich the overall student experience.
Actively support the recruitment and retention of students by engaging with prospective students and participating in admissions events and open houses.
Contribute to institutional publications, such as academic journals, magazines, or online blogs, making theological insights accessible to a wider audience.
Engage with local churches and community organizations, serving as a theological resource and building strategic partnerships between the academy and the church.
Assist in the formal assessment of student learning outcomes for accreditation purposes, including collecting data and contributing to self-study reports.
Develop and maintain high-quality online course materials using the institution’s learning management system (LMS), ensuring an excellent digital learning experience for remote students.
Provide appropriate pastoral care and support to students as they navigate personal, spiritual, and academic challenges.
Pursue external grant funding opportunities to support personal research projects or new institutional academic initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Demonstrated expertise and ability to teach in a core theological discipline (e.g., Systematic Theology, New Testament, Old Testament, Church History, Patristics).
Advanced proficiency in relevant biblical languages (e.g., Koine Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic) and familiarity with textual criticism.
An established or clearly emerging record of scholarly research and publication in peer-reviewed academic journals or with reputable academic presses.
Proven experience with university-level course design, curriculum development, and student learning outcome assessment.
Proficiency with modern Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard, along with other educational technologies for online and hybrid instruction.
Thorough knowledge of historical-critical methods and a range of hermeneutical and exegetical approaches.
Experience in supervising graduate-level research, including thesis or dissertation advising.

Soft Skills

Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex theological concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills, with a genuine passion for student development, discipleship, and holistic spiritual formation.
High degree of cross-cultural competency and the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with students from various ethnic, theological, and socio-economic backgrounds.
A collaborative and collegial spirit, with the ability to work effectively as part of a faculty team and contribute positively to the institutional community.
Excellent organizational and time-management abilities to successfully balance the demands of teaching, research, and institutional service.
A commitment to lifelong learning and professional development within one's academic field and as an educator.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's degree in a relevant theological field (e.g., M.Div., Th.M., M.A. in Theology). A.B.D. (All But Dissertation) from a Ph.D./Th.D. program may be considered.

Preferred Education:

A completed doctorate (Ph.D., Th.D., or equivalent) in a specific field of theological study from an accredited institution.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Systematic Theology
Biblical Studies (New Testament or Old Testament)
Church History
Practical Theology / Ministry
Philosophical Theology
Divinity

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5+ years of teaching experience in a higher education setting is strongly preferred. Experience as a teaching assistant or adjunct instructor during doctoral studies is valued.

Preferred:

A strong record of publications and conference presentations appropriate to the candidate's career stage.
Demonstrated alignment with the institution's specific theological tradition and ethos.
Experience in both online and in-person teaching modalities.
Practical ministry experience (e.g., pastoral, missions, chaplaincy) is often highly valued.