posted on January 1, 2024
Envision: Performing Arts Site Associate in France
The successful applicant(s) will be expected to evangelize and disciple people from the local community and work with a variety of local partners in a diverse urban environment with European and North African representation. They will also invest heavily in hosting and developing arts-focused, short-term participants (teams, interns, and residents). Working in this cross-cultural environment requires a missional calling, willingness to work on a team, flexibility, and an innovative mindset. The successful applicant(s) will be responsible for a specific long-term, arts-based project related to the development of the site based on skill, experience, and interests.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)—Envision–Vocational Track or Clergy Track
- Community center, community development (urban), discipleship, ESL/TESOL, evangelism, leadership development, performing arts, refugee or immigrant
- Partially funded
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Partner with local ministries (Alliance churches, other Alliance international workers, and other key ministries) with a performing arts focus
- Develop and implement arts-based discipleship and development programs for short-term participants
- Build and maintain partnerships with U.S. churches desiring to be involved in overseas missions
- Develop a personal ministry in the community/church using personal gifts and experience
Required Qualifications:
Clergy Track
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
- Spouse must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree and have completed at least 18 hours of Bible/theology, 12 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of 6 hours in cross-cultural or missions studies)
- Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration
- Minimum of two years successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
Vocational Track
- Completion of the World Perspectives Mission Course (minimum of certificate level) or equivalent
Both Clergy and Vocational Tracks
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 40
- Demonstrated proficiency in managing and/or teaching in a performing arts field
Biblical Characteristics Desired:
- Kingdom-minded
- Biblically grounded
- Spirit-dependent
- Competently skilled
- Self-aware
- Self-disciplined
Timeline for Deployment:
As soon as possible.
General Information:
Toulouse is France’s fourth-largest city and is the center of the European aerospace industry. It is a multi-cultural city of 1.4 million inhabitants from all over the world, with a rich blend of history, culture, and technology. The Alliance has a long history in France as a multi-ethnic union of churches. The city of Toulouse has dozens of beautiful church buildings, but most sit empty, while less than 5 percent of the population of France knows Jesus as their personal Savior. Team members live in houses or apartments in the community they are seeking to impact.
World Factbook – France
Joshua Project – France
Health Consideration:
European urban living requires significantly more daily walking than many Americans are used to. The successful applicant(s) must have good mobility. France offers world-class, affordable, and accessible medical care and good access to medications.
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend a language study program. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.
The Alliance provides one academic year of full-time language study in a formal classroom setting with the option to continue with a tutor, if needed, for another year. If a couple is hired, both individuals are required to participate in language study.
Expectations for Spouse:
Spousal roles vary based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities as well as the needs of the team. Both spouses are expected to be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc.
Children’s Educational Plan and Options:
Schooling options for children include public schools and a few private schools. Homeschooling is not an option in France, and children are required to start with pre-school.
Compensation Package
The successful applicant(s) will receive a full compensation package with the expectation that, once appointed, efforts will be made to raise a portion of support costs through the applicant’s network of friends, family, local church, or other resources. Information on support costs will be made available upon application. Training and/or coaching in fundraising is available.
Whole-Life Health
As part of an evangelical denomination, we are committed to biblical holism, which is modeled and reflected through our work. Due to this commitment, part of the required qualifications includes optimal emotional, spiritual, and physical health. These will be assessed during the application process.
Important Clarification
Applicant(s) should be aware that serving in the international world often requires a higher degree of grace and flexibility. For example, overseas teams can be suddenly and unexpectedly impacted by illness, government decisions, financial realities, team changes, or other factors beyond the team’s control. The challenge for applicants is that these factors can sometimes necessitate the sudden redefining of a position, which may take place before, during, or after the application/interview process has begun or is completed.
Questions?
Please email the IPO office at [email protected].