Senior Writer/Editor

Department:              Committee on Publication

SUMMARY

The Senior Writer and Editor is a member of the Editorial Activities team in the Office of Committee on Publication. This team’s work is motivated and animated by the Church Manual Article XXXIII: “...to correct in a Christian manner impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science, injustices done Mrs. Eddy and members of this church….” As an integral part of a church office whose purpose is to lift and heal public thought, and to give humanity the opportunity to see Christian Science in its true light, the Senior Writer and Editor reports to the Editorial Activities Manager and works closely with other members of the Editorial Activities team. The senior Writer and Editor provides particular support to the Editorial Activities Manager. The work includes a daily commitment to the Christian Science healing practice, to seeing each occasion as a healing opportunity, and to approaching every aspect of the work “in a Christian manner.” The practical work includes but is not limited to writing and editing corrective responses for the media and academia, answering inquiries from the general public and church members, researching needed topics, working closely with Committees on Publication in various jurisdictions on corrective cases, and working to correct misinformation that appears on websites and in social media. This work may also include assisting with various short- and long-term projects, as well as direct contact with the public, including communication with media, giving talks to public groups, and meeting with scholars, authors, and students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Editorial Activities Manager, the Senior Writer and Editor will be responsible for assisting in many areas of the Committee work:

• Gaining an understanding of the landscape or atmosphere of public thought as the context in which impositions on the public regarding Christian Science are addressed and healed;
• Praying specifically for healing of impositions and in support of essential activities in which the office and Committees in the field are engaged;
• Actively engaging with Committees on Publication in researching, writing, and/or editing corrective responses;
• Drafting content that provides information and guidance to Committees on Publication worldwide;
• Writing and/or editing corrective responses to Christian Science references in the media, academia, clergy, letters, books, etc., as well as responding to other outside correspondence and inquiries;
• Direct contact with the public, including communication with media, and — on occasion — giving talks to public groups, and meeting with scholars, authors, and students;
• Attending daily, weekly, and monthly staff meetings essential to advancing the corrective work of the office; this may include final preparation of an extensive document that is discussed during weekly corrective meetings;
• Contributing to the planning and facilitation of meetings with Committees on Publication;
• Leading the preparation, writing, and editing of regular Trends in Thought bulletins;
• Leading a team focused on correcting impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science presented on Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias;
• Responding to questions, drafting content, and helping to clarify issues in websites and social media pertaining to Christian Science;
• Contributing to the Manager’s Office seasonal newsletters and other materials;
• Assisting with other projects as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervisor: Reports to the Editorial Activities Manager

Supervises: None

Regular Contacts:

This position has regular contact with the Editorial Activities Manager and other Editorial Activities team members; the Manager, Committees on Publication, other Manager’s Office staff, and worldwide Committees on Publication.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience:

A college degree or its equivalent. Substantial writing and editing experience;

Knowledge/Skills

This position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills; developmental and structural editing abilities; familiarity with copy editing; ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and track progress with both close collaboration and independent work. Spiritual maturity, discernment, good judgment, and teachability are also needed.

Technology Skills:

Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and basic familiarity with social media.

Work Environment

This position regularly works in an office environment at The Mother Church in Boston, MA.

Christian Science Information

Membership in The Mother Church and Primary Class instruction are required. Christian Science practice is helpful.

Pay range:  $100,541 - $130,702.40 annually 

The pay ranges disclosed in our job postings are the compensation ranges the Church reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for a given position at the time of posting.

The offered salary will be determined by factors such as the applicant’s relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities; and benchmarking, work location, and internal equity.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. 

Christian Science is a religious organization founded upon principles of divine healing and laws expressed in the acts and sayings of Jesus.