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Division Chair of Bible

Posted 6/16/22

OC Mission and Purpose:

Oklahoma Christian University is a diverse community of scholars and learners, all committed in service to a common mission to "transform lives for Christian faith, scholarship, and service." OC is committed to hiring employees who are actively engaged in a life of Christian discipleship as we strive to create an employment culture that encourages faculty and staff to lean into the University's Christian mission with an emphasis on authenticity and unity, not uniformity. Though dependent on God's and each other's grace, we aspire to professional and personal standards reflective of Christ's example and adherent to principles drawn from Holy Scripture. To assist our individual and collective accountability to these standards, university employees enter a Covenant of prescriptive conduct and assent to a Statement of Commitment that identifies defining core beliefs. We recognize that employment at OC is not a fit for everyone, so we encourage you to explore what we believe to determine if our mission is your calling.

As a Christ-centered university, Oklahoma Christian values diversity as an essential dimension of God's design for human communities. In seeking to become more inclusive and fully representative of God's broad array of human creation, we especially encourage applications from women and candidates from racial and ethnic backgrounds that are underrepresented on our faculty and staff.

Position: Oklahoma Christian University invites applications for the Division Chair of Bible. The Division Chair of the Bible oversees OC's biblical programs for transforming lives for faith, scholarship, and service. The Division Chair of Bible represents the center of our fellowship of Churches of Christ within Oklahoma and OC's constituent geography. The Division Chair of Bible should have ministry experience in the local church, undergraduate and graduate-level teaching experience in the academy, be committed to furthering the academy's service to the church, and be skilled in building relationships between OC and constituent churches inside and outside of our fellowship.

Primary Qualifications:

  • The Division Chair should hold an earned Ph.D. in Bible or a related ministry field.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and the ability to communicate and positively engage students and colleagues across racial, gender, and cultural barriers.
  • Active engagement in a life of Christian faith and service includes membership in a local church.

Academic Leadership

  • Provides academic leadership for Bible program development, revision, and assessment and oversees the work of program leaders within the division.
  • Responsible for maintaining an environment of collaboration and innovation for developing strategic opportunities for new programs.
  • Oversees faculty course loads, development, evaluation, and approves visiting speakers, adjuncts, and special appointments.
  • Oversees academic programs and assessment, faculty development, and liaisons between the Division of Bible and other areas of the University.
  • The Division Chair models practical relational and administrative skills and is innovative and collaborative in problem-solving with what is best for the University.
  • Will coordinate the division's interaction with other areas of the University, such as recruiting, chapel, advisement, and special student events that promote the Division of Bible and OC's interests.

Academic Assessment

  • Will work with OC administration, program leaders, and faculty to set measurable Bible program goals relative to OC's vision and mission and monitor progress towards those goals by following the University's assessment schedule.
  • Responsible for the division's budget and financial performance and ensuring that new programs and program revisions are reviewed and approved through Academic Affairs policies and procedures.

Faculty Responsibilities

  • As a faculty member with teaching assignments, the Division Chair coordinates the appropriate number of teaching hours per semester with Bible program needs and the Chief Academic Officer.
  • Teach ministry classes that demonstrate relevance and training for ministry in the local church.
  • Create and maintain appropriate educational records to document students' academic performance, observing appropriate confidentiality.

Salary and Benefits:

  • Salary and rank commensurate with experience and qualifications
  • Standard university benefits package
  • Health insurance premium support
  • Retirement plan: 403(b) matching contribution
  • Tuition discount and other staff benefits

Timetable:

The application review continues until the position is filled. To apply, send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, OC application form, personal statement of faith, and copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts (please do not send official transcripts at this time), to Human Resources at: human.resources@oc.edu or PO Box 11000, Oklahoma City, OK 73136. Electronic attachments and cover letters are preferred. As candidates advance through the screening process, we may request additional materials, such as letters of recommendation (including one from a home congregation), a writing sample, and a teaching philosophy statement.

Oklahoma Christian University is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Though all applicants who are actively engaged in a life of Christian faith and service will be considered, preference will be given to candidates who are active members of the Church of Christ. The University complies with all laws regarding race, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, military service, and disability. As a religious educational institution, the University is permitted by law to consider religious beliefs and practices in making employment decisions, and the University does so to achieve its mission.

Oklahoma Christian University is looking for employees who are willing to express the "The Second Mile—Serving One Another" goal of the University, to demonstrate a personal faith in Jesus Christ, to be actively involved in a local congregation, and to support the Christian mission of the University.