Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church is hiring: Church Music Director (Director of Wors

Director of Worship and Arts (Music Director)

Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church (ELCA)

9770 Keilman St, Saint John, IN 46373

Overview: Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church (HSLC) is a vibrant and growing congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located 40 miles outside Chicago, in Northwest Indiana. We are seeking an accomplished musician and faithful Christian to lead our diverse worship and music programs. Our ideal candidate has experience in this or a similar role and plays both piano and organ.

This position will begin mid-May 2025, to allow a minimum two weeks overlap with our outgoing director. Interested individuals should provide an up-to-date resume including references. Applicants are asked to provide (a) recording(s) of yourself playing both the piano and organ in your current venue, plan for HSLC members to hear you play in your current venue or arrange to play in-person at HSLC.

Foundation in Scripture

Psalm 150:1-6: 1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Position Summary and Qualifications

Responsible for developing and maintaining a varied worship program. The director plays piano and organ, directs musicians for both traditional and contemporary Lutheran worship services, and integrates other artistic worship expressions into the congregation’s worship life. The position entails regular weekend and evening work. The director is supervised directly by the Lead Pastor and reports to the Congregation Council.

Experience conducting choirs and ensembles is highly desirable. Candidates will have musical leadership experience in a church or musical setting, preferably as a music director or similar role. A degree in Music Education, Music Performance, or a related field is desirable but not required.

Principal Responsibilities

Provides Musical Leadership for Traditional Lutheran worship:

1. Plays the organ for the scheduled worship services each week that normally utilize liturgical settings and hymns in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
2. Leads music for scheduled Christmas Eve services, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, and each of the five Wednesday evenings during Lent.
3. Selects and plays appropriate hymns for congregational singing and appropriate music for preludes, postludes, offertories, and distribution times at all “traditional” services.
4. Recruits and directs adult choirs that rehearse weekly from September through May and that sing during each of the “traditional” worship services an average of once a month during that period.
5. Recruits and directs adult and youth handbell and children’s chimes choirs that rehearse weekly from September through May and that play during the “traditional” worship services an average of twice a month during that period.
6. Schedules additional special choral or instrumental music for church festivals, for the summer months, and for some of the Sundays the choirs are “off.”

Provides Musical Leadership for Contemporary Lutheran Worship:

1. Recruits and directs vocal and instrumental musicians who can provide leadership for two “Celebration Services” each weekend throughout the year.
2. Selects a repertoire of appropriate music for the congregation to sing at such services.
3. Selects and plays appropriate music for preludes, postludes, offertories, and distribution times at “contemporary” services.
4. Provides musical leadership for one “contemporary” Christmas Eve service.
5. Directs a children’s choir and a youth choir, at least one of which normally sings at one worship service each month from September through May.

Integrates Other Artistic Expressions into the Congregation’s Worship Life.

1. Works with the Pastors and members of the congregation to develop creative ways to celebrate church festivals and seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Thanksgiving.
2. Within the constraints of the congregation’s resources, works with members of the congregation to design, procure, display, and maintain decorations for the sanctuary that are appropriate both to the architecture of the building and to the festivals and seasons of the church year.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Posts and maintains regular in-person office hours (at least 15 hours a week) at the church so as to interact with other staff members and to be available to congregational members.
2. Meets weekly with the entire staff for the purpose of team building and planning.
3. Coordinates rehearsals and performances with other events on the congregation’s calendar.
4. Meets appropriate deadlines in providing input for worship bulletins.
5. Purchases music and drama supplies within the limits of the congregation’s budget.
6. Organizes and maintains the music and drama libraries of the congregation.
7. Responsible for maintaining the congregation’s musical instruments.
8. Except in extreme emergencies, gives at least two weeks’ advance notice of all anticipated worship absences.
9. Assists the Lead Pastor in securing substitutes when he or she anticipates being absent.
10. Facilitates volunteers to complement this position.

Compensation and other Considerations

1. The total compensation package is $63,000 per year. The employee may determine how that amount is provided - solely as salary, split between salary and retirement, or split among salary, retirement and health insurance.
2. Three weeks paid vacation annually, including 3 weekends, scheduled in consultation with the pastor.
3. Each year the annual compensation is determined by the Congregation Council in consultation with the Staff Relations Committee. Vacation time and other benefits are determined by the congregation’s Staff Guidelines.
4. Compensation for musical leadership and accompaniment at weddings and funerals is over and above the annual salary and is made directly by the families involved. Such honoraria begin at $ 125 for a wedding and $ 100 for a funeral.
5. As with all staff members, the work of the Director of Worship and the Arts will be evaluated annually by the Staff Relations Committee and the Congregation Council.
6. Safety background checks are required for all staff members.
7. Instruments used in worship are a Schimmel grand piano and an Allen electronic organ with 10 stops.

Prayerfully consider applying for this wonderful opportunity to direct the faithful music ministries of Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $63,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person