A Musical Employment Opportunity
Interested in engaging your passion and talents to help provide a meaningful worship experience through music? Intrigued by an opportunity to creatively collaborate with a dynamic group? Inspired to be part of a team where uniqueness is valued as a core aspect of unity?
Moreland Presbyterian Church (Portland, OR) is a welcoming, growing, diverse and inclusive multi-generational community of ordinary, imperfect people who are experiencing an extraordinary, perfect Love with a desire to share it with others in SE Portland and beyond (see our website: www.morelandpres.org).
We are seeking a Director of Worship Music (half-time) for our community of faith and the broader community. If this work inspires you, please submit a cover letter and resume to Lois Waldron for Personnel at: lois@morelandpres.org.
Position
The Director of Worship Music provides leadership and oversight for the various Worship & Music ministries at Moreland Presbyterian Church (MPC), working in partnership with and support of the pastoral ministry staff in planning, creating, coordinating and facilitating musical worship for all generations of our community of faith.
Responsibilities
Oversight/Leadership for Worship & Music Ministries
1. Provide visional leadership and oversight for all aspects of Worship & Music ministries; develop and maintain a thriving music ministry which supports and enhances the worship experience.
2. With pastoral ministry staff, coordinate the calendar of the Worship & Music ministries, and collaboratively support the development of weekly worship themes. Select choir anthems and special music to complement the central theme for worship each week (including summer worship season) and suggest hymns and songs to be sung at worship.
3. Promote inspired and joyful musicianship by challenging and developing the talents of musicians, encouraging creativity, and cultivating positive working relationships.
4. Supervise the accompanist and anyone who is working under contract for the church, as well as guest musicians.
Leadership/Direction of the Chancel Choir
1. Provide musical leadership during weekly worship on Sundays.
2. Direct the Chancel Choir and special vocal ensembles for weekly worship and special holiday worship celebrations (e.g., Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday).
3. Prepare for and direct regular Tuesday evening rehearsals of the Chancel Choir for the Choir season (September through early June).
4. Lead the invitation and recruitment process for new Chancel Choir members.
5. Empower and encourage volunteer leadership.
Leadership/Direction of Children’s Music
1. Prepare for and lead the music component of the weekly Heart Club meeting, held before choir on Tuesdays during much of the school year.
2. Direct the children’s ensemble occasionally, in Sunday worship and in special holiday worship celebrations (e.g., Christmas Pageant/Eve, Easter Sunday).
3. With the Director of Family Ministries and volunteer staff, coordinate the schedule for music practices/performances and collaboratively support mutually agreed upon themes.
4. Support and empower Children's Ministries in their mission to provide spiritual growth for children and families through musical opportunities.
Additional Responsibilities
1. Facilitate consistent, clear, and timely communication within the Worship & Music ministries, and between Worship & Music ministries and all other ministry areas of the church.
2. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled Ministry staff meetings (Tuesdays), Worship & Music ministries team meetings (quarterly), and periodic Ministry staff retreats/visioning sessions.
3. Recruit and select soloists and guest musicians, and schedule and lead rehearsals for soloists, ensembles, and instrumentalists as needed.
4. Provide guidance and support for all other music ministries of the church (e.g., occasional Bell Choir and instrumental ensembles).
5. Invite and recruit MPC members and friends to participate in Worship & Music ministries, both in ongoing ensembles and for special occasions.
6. Select and acquire appropriate new music for the Choir and other ensembles as needed.
7. Collaborate with Ministry staff and Worship & Music ministries volunteers to envision, create, and promote new opportunities for musical expression and connection with the broader Sellwood-Moreland and Portland communities (including hosting community musical events).
Requirements
· Demonstrated ability to envision how music integrates and enhances communal experiences of worship in a Christian context.
· Demonstrated ability to lead vocal ensembles of varying ages and to give overall leadership and support to broad-based, musically diverse Worship & Music ministries.
· Demonstrated leadership, planning, and communication skills.
· Consistent availability on weekends and church holidays and commitment to the MPC community of faith and Ministry staff.
· Bachelor’s degree in music (B.A./B.M.) or equivalent experience.
· Candidates must pass a criminal background check.
Overall Relationships and Accountability
· Accountable to the Pastor/Head of Staff and Personnel Team (on behalf of Session).
· Maintain positive working relationships with the Elder for Worship & Music and Ministry team members, the Pastor, other church employees, and members of the congregation.
· Seek compliance with the Book of Order and other policies, procedures, and guidelines established by the church, the Cascades Presbytery, and the Presbyterian Church (USA).
· Ensure compliance with copyright and other applicable legal requirements.
Work Schedule
This is a part-time, year-round salaried professional ministry position and is considered exempt under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act for Professional Employees. The incumbent is expected to devote the hours required to perform and accomplish the responsibilities of the position (averaging 20 hours/week).
Reporting and Evaluation
This position reports directly to the Pastor/Head of Staff. The Personnel Ministry Team will assign a Team member as a liaison to meet on a periodic basis with the Director of Worship Music.
Compensation: $25,000 to $32,000/year (depending on experience)
Interested parties, please submit your resume and cover letter to (lois@morelandpres.org).
