Minister of Music

First Methodist Church

Temple, Texas

Dr. Tom Robbins, Senior Pastor

Minister of Music

Position Summary: In consultation with the pastoral staff and Staff Parish Relations Board, the Minister of Music leads the ministry of music throughout the life of the church. This includes using the congregation's musical gifts as a means of and aid to worship, leading the congregation to minister to each other through music, encouraging the fellowship of individuals and groups who share an appreciation of music, and fostering musical talents and expression among all age groups within the congregation.  

Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, and lead the ministry of music at First Methodist Church.
• Work with the pastoral staff, other music ministry staff and volunteers to ensure that appropriate congregational and special music are provided for all Sunday worship services and for other church services and programs as needed.
• Lead the Chancel Choir and Wesley Choir in worship services and cultivate the musical gifts of these and other choral and instrumental group members.
• Organize and oversee the children’s music ministry program and provide direct leadership for at least one of the children’s choirs. Ensure that the children’s choirs participate on a regular basis in worship services and provide leadership for other children’s musical activities, such as children’s musicals.
• Organize and oversee all other choral, handbell, chime, and musical group activities for all ages.
• Encourage and lead the development of additional choral and/or instrumental groups within the congregation, especially those involving youth.
• Encourage and recruit members of the congregation of all ages to offer their musical gifts in the service of Christ and the church in a wide variety of ways.
• Encourage and lead the Chancel Choir and Wesley Choir and instrumental groups to present occasional larger choral works (e.g. Vivaldi’s Gloria, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, and/or Christmas/Easter cantatas or oratorios.)
• Encourage congregational singing as an essential part of worship.
• Seek opportunities to engage in exchange or joint musical activities with other churches or musical organizations in our community.
• Administer the music ministry program effectively
• Attend staff and program meetings to provide professional guidance and assist in planning to ensure a high-quality music ministry program.
• Work with other music ministry staff to recruit volunteers to lead, assist, or provide instrumental accompaniments for all musical group activities. 
• Work with local resources (e.g. Temple College, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Baylor University) to interview and secure paid scholarship singers, instrumentalists, and soloists for special services.
• Evaluate, select, and purchase or secure choral music for sanctuary worship services representing a wide range of styles including classical, traditional, gospel/spiritual, and contemporary. 
• Assist other church music staff in purchasing or securing music, supplies, and other materials for the music ministry program, as needed.
• Provide systematic care of all music ministry materials, including choir robes and the church music library.
• Plan and oversee the budget for the music ministry program.
• Continue to grow professionally as a church musician.
• Remain abreast of current developments in church music by maintaining contact with other churches and professional societies.
• Highlight the spiritual dimension of music.
• Promote an understanding of music as an arena for spiritual growth in relationship to Jesus Christ
• Teach how music is connected to the particular worship service’s biblical and spiritual message.
• Model a Christian attitude of welcome and concern, fostering supportive and caring relationships among choir members and other participants in the music ministry program.
• Take leadership in providing pastoral care of those involved in the music ministry and provide opportunities for fellowship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Music Degree or Sacred Music Degree with a minimum of five years of experience.
• Firm personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• Commitment to seeing music as a ministry of spiritual growth and development.
• Appropriate musical education/training and/or professional experience. 
• Significant skills in choir training, accompaniment, and the selection of appropriate music.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities in recruitment, program coordination, and administration.
• Ability to work collegially in planning and programming and in providing support.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the theology and practice of worship.
• Ability to make creative contributions to the total church program. 
• Pastoral concern for all persons in the music ministry.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people of all ages.

Working Relationships

• The Minister of Music is hired by the Staff Parish Relations Board and reports directly to the pastor.

Terms of Employment

• The general terms of employment are spelled out in the Personnel Policy Handbook of the First Methodist Church Policy Manual.
• This is a professional, salaried position. 

REPLY BY MAIL:

First Methodist Church Temple

102 N. 2nd. Street

Temple, TX 76501

REPLY ELECTRONICALLY:

[email protected]

DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2023