Chair of Faith and Public Life

Chair of Faith and Public Life

Director, Institute of Faith and Public Life
School of Mission and Theology

Fuller Theological Seminary invites applicants for the endowed Chair of Faith and Public Life to begin July 1, 2027. This distinguished position leads the Institute of Faith and Public Life and advances public theological research in service of Christ's church and world. The successful candidate will create a dynamic academic space for scholars and students to research public theology within Fuller's global, ecumenical, and contextually engaged framework.

The Chair will demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and the formation of students for ministry within and beyond the church. The position requires expertise in public theology with particular attention to global perspectives, especially voices from the global South and marginalized communities. The successful candidate will engage in teaching, research, mentoring, and convening activities that bring biblical and theological resources to bear on contemporary public challenges across diverse global contexts.

Position Responsibilities

1. Leadership: Serve as Director of the Institute of Faith and Public Life. Manage all finances, staff, and operations of the Institute, reporting to the Dean of the School of Mission and Theology or other designee of the President of Fuller Theological Seminary.
2. Teaching: Quarter system teaching load in traditional and online modalities within the School of Mission and Theology curriculum. Use of the seminary's designated online course management system (Canvas) is required. Quarter system teaching load in traditional and online modalities within the School of Mission and Theology curriculum. Use of the seminary's designated online course management system (Canvas) is required. Faculty have a baseline of 6-course per year. The Chair will have a teaching load with a 2-course admin reduction that's negotiable with the Dean.
3. Scholarship: Maintain an active and distinguished research program in public theology that addresses contemporary public challenges through theological reflection. Foster scholarship that draws from the rich diversity of global theological traditions while remaining grounded in biblical faithfulness and theological rigor. Advance research that brings theological resources into conversation with pressing issues facing communities across cultures and continents.
4. Convening: Develop and lead conferences, symposia, lectures, and dialogues that promote generative conversation across denominational, cultural, and theological differences. Create opportunities for engagement between Fuller faculty, visiting scholars, students, and broader publics on matters of faith and public life.
5. Service: Active involvement in the School of Mission and Theology, broader seminary, and academic guild is expected as part of a faculty's role. Represent the Institute in appropriate academic and ecclesial contexts.
6. Professional Development: Participate in professional development workshops and be actively engaged in disciplinary guilds focused on public theology and related fields.
7. Advise and Mentor Students: Mentor doctoral and master's students in research related to faith and public life. Advise graduate students pursuing scholarship at the intersection of theology and public engagement. Hold regular office hours. Complete related administrative responsibilities.
8. Faith: Actively participate in the life of the church. Integrate faith formation in teaching. Model faithful engagement with public life rooted in the gospel.

General Requirements

1. Faith and lifestyle congruent with the mission of Fuller Theological Seminary as expressed in its statements of faith and community standards. Fuller Seminary requires each faculty member to sign its Statement of Faith. Commitment to the evangelical and ecumenical heritage of Fuller Theological Seminary. See the Fuller Theological Seminary website.
2. Commitment to theological education in the service of the local and global church, to shaping leaders for the church's mission and ministry, to the spiritual formation of students, and to supporting women and men in pastoral and other leadership positions.
3. Active involvement in a local congregation.
4. Disposition to work collegially in a diverse - multi-ethnic, multi-denominational, multiregional - seminary community. Demonstrated ability to foster curiosity and civility toward deep religious, political, and cultural diversity.
5. Applicants who will add to the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity of the faculty are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in Theology, Ethics, Public Theology, Political Theology, Theological Ethics, or related fields. Established record of scholarly achievement appropriate for an endowed chair position.
2. Demonstrated excellence in graduate-level teaching with an ability to lead students in exploring both theoretical and practical dimensions of public theology.
3. Proven administrative and leadership capabilities, including experience managing budgets, staff, and institutional programs.
4. Scholarly expertise in public theology with demonstrated engagement with global theological voices, particularly from the global South and marginalized communities.
5. Competence and vision for teaching a diverse student body. The ability to speak and teach in Spanish or other languages is desirable.
6. Proficiency in the use of classroom technology.
7. Significant experience in the life and ministry of the church, with demonstrated capacity for faithful public engagement.
8. Distinguished record of scholarly research and publication in public theology or related fields. Evidence of ability to convene and lead scholarly conversations across diverse constituencies.
9. Position will be based primarily in Pasadena but serving the seminary broadly in its digital forward transformation of global impact.

Application Information

Applicants for the Chair of Faith and Public Life are asked to submit the following materials (using the email address noted below):

1. A letter of interest addressing the vision and mission of the Institute of Faith and Public Life.
2. A curriculum vitae, indicating education, teaching experience, publications, administrative experience, and other professional qualifications.
3. A list of three references with institutional affiliation and contact information, representing academic qualifications and administrative capabilities.

Note: references will be contacted once the Search Committee identifies a short list of candidates.

Application materials should be submitted electronically to the same email address. Applications will be reviewed beginning January 1, 2026. Contact information: Dr. Jeffrey F. Keuss, Dean of the School of Mission and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182, USA

Additional Remarks:

• Must be willing to abide by Fuller Community Standards
• Must be willing to sign Fuller's Statement of Faith
• It is preferred that the position be based in Pasadena or Houston, but other locations are negotiable. The successful candidate will serve the seminary broadly in its digital forward transformation of global impact.

Pay Scale:

Salary range the seminary expects to pay: $88,000 - $90,000 annually USD

Fuller Theological Seminary is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To the extent required by law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. As a religious institution, Fuller Theological Seminary is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees for certain positions on the basis of religion.