SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST invites applications for for the position of Dean of Chapel to begin Fall of 2025.
Seminary of the Southwest seeks a dean of chapel to oversee chapel life, nurture spiritual growth in the community, and serve as seminary chaplain.
Located in Austin, TX, Southwest is an Episcopal seminary that forms students for vocations of ministry, service, and healing. The seminary offers degrees in divinity, clinical mental health counseling, spiritual direction, and religion. It also houses special programs in Latinx studies and chaplaincy (healthcare, military, and school).
The dean of chapel works alongside the dean and president to oversee chapel life—including planning and implementing three daily liturgies and facilitating special services such as Matriculation, Commencement, Dia de los Muertos, Black History Month celebrations, the Easter Triduum, and other important feast days. This role includes training and supervising student sacristans, supervising the chapel music director and other musicians who serve regularly in the chapel, and chairing the worship committee and liturgy planning meetings.
This person also serves as seminary chaplain, providing and organizing pastoral care for community members in times of need and nurturing the spiritual life of the seminary community, including students, faculty, and staff from various denominational backgrounds.
The dean of chapel will teach a required class in the MDiv curriculum titled “Leading Liturgy in the Episcopal Church” and will have other teaching opportunities across programs. They will also oversee deployment for ordination-track students.
The successful candidate will have a commitment to the liturgical traditions of the Episcopal Church as well as an ability to imagine creative worship experiences for students of diverse faith backgrounds.
Required qualifications include:
- Ordination in The Episcopal Church
- A masters degree in a theological field (a DMin or PhD would strengthen the application)
- At least five years of experience in creating and implementing liturgy in a parish or chapel setting
- Strong pastoral care skills, organizational ability, and an enjoyment of collaborative work
It is the policy of Seminary of the Southwest to provide equal opportunity in employment; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, gender, religious affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability; and to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing program of affirmative action.
Applications should include a cover letter responding to this position description and a resume. Please email applications to Lesley Wilder at [email protected].
Starting Date: Fall 2025
Application Deadline: Open until the position is filled
