Worship and Youth Pastor

First Christian Church

fcctd.org · The Dalles, Oregon

Associate Minister of Worship and Youth

Full-Time ·  Reports to Lead Pastor

About First Christian Church

First Christian Church of The Dalles is a warm, welcoming congregation in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. We are in an active season of renewal, and we are looking for ministry leaders who want to be part of what God is building here.

Our mission is to help people connect with Jesus, with each other, and with their purpose. Our vision is to see The Dalles transformed through the love of Jesus, one life at a time. We pursue that through three core values: Show Up — present in worship, relationships, and community; Dig In — going deep in God's Word and life with Jesus; Reach Out — living generously, serving others, and sharing hope.

FCC is a non-denominational congregation rooted in the essentials of orthodox Christian faith. We hold the Bible as our authority for life and practice, and we welcome anyone who is seeking Jesus — wherever they are on that journey.

Position Overview

We are seeking a full-time Associate Minister of Worship and Youth to join our pastoral team. This is a dual-role position with worship leadership as the primary responsibility and a strong preference for youth ministry as the secondary focus. We recognize that the right candidate may bring gifts that align more naturally with a different area of congregational ministry, and we are open to that conversation — but youth is where we most hope to find the fit.

This person will serve alongside the Lead Pastor and a strong team of committed volunteer leaders. They will be a credible, Spirit-led leader — gifted in front of people, grounded in Scripture, and committed to the local church.

Primary Role: Worship Leadership

The Associate Minister will serve as the primary worship leader for First Christian Church, responsible for leading our congregation in weekly gathered worship. The expectation is contemporary, band-led worship that is accessible across generations and welcoming to young families. We are looking for someone who leads that kind of worship naturally and is ready to step into that role from day one.

Key responsibilities include:

•      Leading weekly worship with a band in a contemporary style

•      Recruiting, developing, and pastoring the worship team

•      Overseeing song selection, set planning, and the overall worship environment

•      Cultivating a team culture marked by spiritual health, musical excellence, and servant leadership

•      Collaborating with the Lead Pastor to ensure worship supports and reflects the preaching vision

Secondary Role: Ministry Area (Preferred: Youth/Student Ministry)

Our preferred secondary focus for this role is youth and student ministry. This is a build-from-scratch opportunity. FCC does not currently have an established student ministry — the right person will be a self-starter who sees that as a challenge worth taking on, not a liability.

FCC is in an active season of renewal, and a core part of that vision is becoming a church where young families feel at home. This role is central to that effort — the right person won't just lead worship, they'll help shape the culture that makes it possible.

We recognize that the right candidate may bring gifts that align more naturally with a different secondary focus. Other areas we would consider include:

•      Family Ministry — programming and pastoral care oriented around families with children

•      Outreach & Community Presence — events, partnerships, and relationship-building that connect FCC to the broader Dalles community

•      Communications & Digital Ministry — social media, digital presence, and ministry-oriented communications

•      Connections & Hospitality — guest follow-up, assimilation, and the systems that help new people find a home at FCC

•      Young Adults & College — ministry presence among college-age and young adult members of the community

We are open to a conversation about fit. What matters most is that the secondary role reflects genuine alignment between the candidate's calling and gifting and the real needs of this congregation.

Qualifications

Required

•      Personal faith in Jesus Christ and active membership in a local church

•      Demonstrated experience leading worship in a band-led, contemporary worship context

•      Proven ability to recruit, lead, and develop a volunteer team

•      Strong interpersonal skills and a genuine pastoral heart

•      Theological alignment with the core convictions of First Christian Church — a summary of our beliefs is available at fcctd.org/beliefs

Preferred

This is an entry-level ministry position. Formal theological training is welcome but not required. We are looking for demonstrated experience and evidence of genuine calling. Preferred qualifications include:

•      Hands-on experience in youth ministry or another area of congregational ministry

•      Proficiency with contemporary worship production tools and planning software

•      Experience in a variety of ministry contexts; exposure to larger congregations is a plus

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. This position includes a full-time salary, ministry expense provisions, and paid time off. Additional details will be provided to qualified candidates.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following to the church office:

•      A cover letter describing your call to ministry and why you are interested in this role

•      A current résumé or curriculum vitae

•      Links to two or more recent worship sets you have led (video preferred)

•      Three professional references, at least one of whom is a current or former pastor or supervisor

Submit materials to: Candidate@fcctd.org | Questions: (541) 296-9631

First Christian Church is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a safe and healthy ministry environment for all.