Director of Traditional Music Ministries

Job Summary:

The Director of Traditional Music Ministries is responsible for leading worship and coordinating all choir and orchestra members for the traditional worship service and special worship services as assigned by the Pastoral staff.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead traditional worship as requested and assigned by the Pastoral staff, including special worship services such as Easter, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and other large group gatherings.

• Select, instruct, and execute all praise and worship music for traditional services and dedicated sanctuary events. Plan and lead principle traditional worship musical groups within the church, including the Chancel Choir, handbell choirs, children’s and youth choirs, and other musical organizations. If other individuals are responsible for a particular group, give oversight to those involved and coordinate the work of each group with that of the whole.

• Recruit, train, and equip individuals to serve in the various musical groups, including visitation where appropriate and specific training for soloists or others with special needs, taking care to ensure that all participants within the program are treated with dignity and respect. Recruit and give oversight to all accompanists, paid or volunteer, ensuring that each rehearsal and worship service may be conducted according to the highest professional standards.

• Coordinate with the Director of Contemporary Music Ministries to develop church worship services as directed by the Senior Pastor. Provide the AV team with song lyrics (formatted for singing and stored in Planning Center) along with any other visuals needed.

• Collaborate and utilize creative and artistic abilities to teach, sing with, and/or lead songs with choirs/ensembles as requested. Develop, write, and arrange music to enhance the understanding of worship themes through new songs or by combining existing musical literature into a cohesive music set. Collaborate with individual musicians, soloists, and other creative media, as needed from time to time, depending upon liturgical season or sermon series.

• Assist in the coordination of weddings and funerals held within the sanctuary, giving guidance to appropriate musical selections where needed, and to the development and carrying out of policies which shall ensure the integrity of all such services.

• Give oversight to the physical maintenance of the organ, all pianos, handbells, and other musical instruments owned by the church and used within its worship life.

• Maintain and build upon the existing music library, taking care to ensure a wide variety of styles and selections are included within the portfolio of the church, and that all appropriate copyright laws are followed.

• Subject to time availability, work cooperatively with such district and conference music programs and with community musical programs as shall complement and benefit the music ministry of Lakewood Methodist Church.

• Prepare or assist in the preparation of annual budget requests involving the traditional music program, including the use of both operating and designated monies.

• Work cooperatively with all departments and special teams and provide support or direction whenever needed.

• Attend weekly staff meetings and Worship Planning meetings. Attend Administrative Board, Church Conference, and the Worship Committee meetings.

Core Competencies:

• Mission Ownership: Demonstrates an understanding and full support of the mission and vision of Lakewood Methodist Church. Ability to communicate and teach these to others. Demonstrates an awareness of how their role impacts the overall ministry of the church.

• Spiritual, Emotional, and Professional Maturity: Has an annual self-initiated personal/professional growth plan to help strengthen and improve effectiveness in their life and ministry as a follower of Christ. This growth plan will be informed through personal insight and evaluation recommendations.

• Music Ability: Demonstrates competent (and expanding) knowledge of multiple genres/expressions of worship music for teaching and execution. Pays particular attention to traditional hymns.

• Professional Skills: Exhibits proficiency in planning, management, and implementation of a multi-faceted ministry. Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrates the ability to take initiative. Demonstrates the ability to meet deadlines, organize, and prioritize work. Possesses analytical skills with high attention to detail. Views and promptly acknowledges emails, text messages, and voicemails regularly.

• Interpersonal Skills: Proactively communicates to the direct supervisor the status of projects, concerns, any delays, and successes. Demonstrates the ability to work with a variety of leaders and personalities. Demonstrates the skills of active listening and openly accepts criticism. Productively engages and resolves interpersonal conflict. Recognizes dysfunctional behavior, discusses with Senior Pastor, and upon consultation redirects problem behavior into functional behavior. Engages people positively, with a demeanor of optimism and abundance. Speaks with respect, kindness, honesty, and clarity, while recognizing others as children of God.

• Organizing: Gathers and organizes resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently.

• Process Management: Demonstrate the ability to clearly embrace and facilitate the style of worship expected. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and integrate the Senior Pastor’s vision. Proactively figures out the processes necessary to get things done for each worship experience; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into an efficient workflow.

• Problem Solving: Solve difficult problems using logic and systems to find effective and creative solutions; takes into account all factors; can see hidden problems. Has a desire and the ability to look beyond the obvious.

• Task Completion: Follows through in a timely manner with people/tasks until a result is achieved and then evaluated.

• Management Skills: Demonstrates commitment and flexibility when working with laity and staff. Understanding their and others' communication style and temperament type, and adapting their behaviors to meet the needs of the situation.

• Team Building Skills: Works closely with church staff and laity to help accomplish the mission and vision, integrity, and work of the church, recognizing we are a body of the church and here to do God’s work. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best; can motivate many different individuals and groups; empowers others; shares ownership and visibility; makes each participant feel valued.

Minimal Qualifications:

• Able to learn and use Google Teams, Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Able to learn and use Planning Center.

Education Requirements:

At a minimum, a Bachelor's Degree

Physical Requirements:

Able to lift and carry items of at least 25 pounds.

For over 46 years, Lakewood Methodist Church has been a growing and faithful presence in the Northwest Houston community. As part of the Global Methodist Church, we are dedicated to helping people encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to guide people into the fullness of God’s goodness so that each of us can experience His greatness here on Earth. Whether you're seeking spiritual growth, meaningful relationships, or a place to belong, you’ll find a warm and welcoming home here.

We offer a variety of worship experiences on Sunday.

• Shalom Service – 8:00 AM in Founders Court

• Traditional Services – 8:45 AM 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary

• Contemporary Service – 11:15 AM in Asbury Hall