We are hiring a Music Ministry Co-Director

Reports to: Lead Pastor

Status: Part Time: 15 hours/week (mid-August-mid May); 10-15 hours/week (summer)

Salary: $23,000-$25,000/year

Vacation: 2 weeks, 4 vacation Sundays during the program year; 1 additional Sunday off in June and July (not considered vacation Sundays)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Our congregation seeks a creative and vibrant leader to cultivate and co-lead the music ministry of our congregation. This person will direct our two standing ensembles: the vocal choir and the bell choir (rehearses weekly September-May). This person will also collaborate with our pastoral and worship leaders to expand the opportunities for music-making in our community. This person will have experience in choral conducting and worship leadership, as well as familiarity with instruments and bells. Alignment with Lutheran theology and an understanding of liturgy are important. In order to expand the musical life of the congregation, this position will also require excellent relational and organizational skills. The values of our congregation include, but are not limited to: inclusive language for God and people, valuing of tradition and openness to new ideas, worship as participatory rather than performative, intergenerational community, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Direct the Grace Vocal Choir:

● Empower the choir’s musical and spiritual leadership

● Lead weekly Wednesday night rehearsal

● Lead Sunday morning rehearsals

● Direct choir in worship – typically the choir sings 2 Sundays/month (during program year)

● Plan and select choir music that aligns with our core values and liturgical season, and is doable for the ensemble

● In collaboration with our worship and pastoral staff, plan the worship calendar and communicate it effectively

● Communicate regularly with the choir

● Find creative ways to make choral singing accessible to those who can’t make a commitment to the full year

Direct the Grace Bell Choir:

● Lead weekly Wednesday night rehearsal

● Lead Sunday morning rehearsal run-through

● Direct choir in worship – they currently ring 1 Sunday/month

● Plan and select music that aligns with our core values and liturgical season

● In collaboration with our worship and pastoral staff, plan the worship calendar

● Communicate regularly with the choir

● Empower their leadership in worship

● Find creative ways to make bell ringing accessible to those who haven’t had experience and would like to try being part of it

Expand Music-Making Opportunities in Worship:

• If comfortable singing in worship, serve as cantor in worship and equip Grace to be an even stronger singing congregation

• Teach about and model the power of music to praise God and create community

• Recruit and encourage musicians of all kinds and ages – develop relationships with congregants, learn of their gifts, find music that utilizes different combinations of instruments and voices

• Explore and suggest new music and songs that are theologically aligned and liturgically appropriate

• Experiment with different styles and arrangements of music, drawing upon the gifts present in our community

• Contribute to the Worship Leader Guide – organize and edit necessary content

MORE ABOUT THIS ROLE

We currently have on staff a part-time Music Ministry Co-Director. This person’s unique responsibilities are to play piano and organ in worship, as well as accompany the vocal choir. The responsibilities that our Co-Directors would share are: contributing to worship planning and recruiting and supporting other musicians in the community. Full job posting

TIMELINE

We will begin reviewing applications on June 12. Our hoped-for start date is August 15, 2026.

HOURS AND COMPENSATION

This position is a 15 hour/week position. Salary to be negotiated based on years of experience, starting at $23,000.

TO APPLY

Send a resume and cover letter, detailing your interest and experience, to Pastor Sarah Rohde at s.rohde@graceofav.org. In the subject line, please write your name and “Director of Music and Worship application.” Review of applications begins on June 12.