About this role
Overview
Lifeway is seeking a Church and Convention Engagement Director to serve as a primary relationship leader connecting Lifeway with pastors, churches, SBC entities, state conventions, and denominational partners across the country. This role is a highly strategic and field-facing; ideal for a respected ministry leader who thrives on building trust, navigating complex relational networks, and representing an organization with excellence. In this role, you will shape how Lifeway engages the broader SBC ecosystem, inform senior leadership on ministry trends, and champion the local church at every level.
Learn more about our culture at team.lifeway.com/culture-code
This is a remote position in the U.S. requiring regular travel and a monthly presence at Lifeway's headquarters in Brentwood, TN.
Individuals desiring relocation to the Nashville TN area are eligible for relocation assistance .
Responsibilities
- Builds and maintains close relationships with pastors and churches, ensuring Lifeway remains deeply connected to the needs and priorities of local congregations
- Represents Lifeway and the President at churches, conferences, and conventions, serving as a credible and trusted ambassador of the organization's mission
- Develops and leads a national pastor advisory network, and support internal ministry teams in building their own advisory relationships
- Builds and sustains strong relationships with the SBC Executive Committee, entities, state conventions, and convention leadership
- Plans and coordinates Lifeway's presence and engagement at state conventions and denominational gatherings
- Cultivates trust, communication with Lifeway's Board of Trustees, and alignment with the organization's mission
- Leads efforts to identify and encourage highly qualified prospective trustees through appropriate SBC processes and relationships
- Provides senior leadership with strategic insight on church practices, SBC dynamics, and emerging ministry opportunities that inform Lifeway's long-term direction
- Gathers field insights to inform Lifeway's strategy, product development, and ministry positioning
- Advises senior leaders on relationship strategy, ministry trends, and external engagement
- Travel regularly to cultivate relationships, attend key ministry events, and maintain a monthly presence at Lifeway's Brentwood, TN headquarters
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in a ministry or business-related discipline, required
Master’s degree in theology, ministry, or a related field, required
Doctoral degree in theology, ministry, or a related field, preferred
Skills, Knowledge, & Experience — Required
- 10+ years of experience in church, denominational, ministry, or partner relationship leadership.
- Experience working with or serving SBC churches, state conventions, associations, agencies, or related denominational partners.
- Experience developing and executing strategic engagement plans, events, partnerships, or ministry initiatives.
- Experience advising senior leaders or executive teams on relationship strategy, ministry trends, and external engagement opportunities.
- Ability to travel frequently overnight as required by the role
Actively involved member of a Southern Baptist church
Skills, Knowledge, & Experience — Preferred
- Demonstrated experience representing an organization at external ministry, convention, or denominational leader gatherings