For Immediate Release
April 28, 2025
Chicago – The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) announces a restructuring and revisioning of the agency, with three full-time job opportunities available. This restructuring is designed to more fully align staff roles with GCSRW’s strategic focus on its four quadrennial goals: leadership development, education, monitoring, and sexual ethics, ensuring greater impact.
Applications are being accepted through May 15, 2025, for the following positions:
- Director of Sexual Ethics
- Director of Leadership Development and Community Engagement
- Director of Monitoring and Resource Development
“At the heart of Charles Wesley’s beloved hymn, A Charge to Keep I Have, is a message about meeting the present moment with passionate focus, clarity of call, and a desire to do all the good you can to build the Beloved Community,” shares the Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, GCSRW general secretary.” “At GCSRW, we are called to serve the present age and meet the demands of this moment as we advocate for lay and clergywomen throughout The United Methodist Church.”
Reflecting on the agency’s history, York Arnold added, “GCSRW has been a powerful agent for positive change for decades. I was personally impacted by its good work long before I ever dreamed of becoming the General Secretary. Today, The United Methodist Church and its agencies must be nimble and adapt to meet our most pressing needs.”
York Arnold continued, “There is a need for passionate, clear, empowered leadership and, while in the midst of potential regionalization and restructuring, The United Methodist Church needs a prophetic, and strategic GCSRW, focused on leading the way for equity and equality for women while considering how to define our work, as we remain connected to our faithful witness and mission worldwide.”
Recent staff transitions have presented an opportunity for the agency to restructure and realign its work. The Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears, director of leadership development, will return to serve in the New York Annual Conference after nearly two years with GCSRW. Becky Posey Williams, senior director of sexual ethics, will retire after 12 years of faithful service. The last day for both Smartt Sears and Posey Williams will be June 30, 2025. Last month, Rev. Meg Lassiat, former director of training and resource development, accepted a role with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Additionally, GCSRW welcomes one new staff member, Collin Johansson, a shared employee with the GCSRW/United Methodist Communications partnership, who now serves as GCSRW’s social media manager.
“GCSRW has been blessed with longtime staff who have faithfully served and impacted our beloved Church,” said York Arnold. “Recognizing the invaluable contributions of our past and present team, we now embrace the opportunity to re-envision our work in strategic and impactful ways with passion and hope.”
Persons interested in the new job opportunities may find job descriptions at UMC.org/jobs. To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and two professional references to [email protected].
GCSRW is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, all genders, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.
About the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women: The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church. GCSRW helps the Church recognize every person – clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children – as full and equal parts of God’s human family. We believe that a fully engaged and empowered membership is vital to The United Methodist Church’s mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Learn more at GCSRW.org.
Media Contact: [email protected].