Director of Creative Worship

Joy! Lutheran Church

Job Description

Joy! Lutheran Church is not your typical mainline Protestant church. With a vibrant contemporary worship service, we are an affirming and inclusive community where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re young or old, single or married, straight or LGBTQ+, a lifelong believer or just starting to explore your faith, you have a place here at Joy!

At Joy!, relationships matter. First and foremost, our relationship with Christ is number one. It is through that relationship that God grows us into the people God has in mind—people who model the love Christ demonstrated to us to others. Second, relationships with one another matter. #NobodySitsAlone. We believe that church should feel like family. Small groups are a vital part of our DNA! We celebrate diversity and strive to create an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved. Our congregation is a melting pot of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, all coming together to worship and serve.

Come and experience the Christ-centered joy, love, and inclusivity that define Joy! Lutheran Church.

 

Job Title : Creative Worship Art Director

Reports to: Lead Pastor

Employee Status: Full Time (Exempt)

Hours Per Week: 40 hours per week

Direct Reports: Assistant Worship Arts Director, Worship Media Coordinator, and Audio and Visual Team Coordinator


Role Description

  • The Director of Creative Worship position plans, prepares, and implements worship music for the Sunday services and special services, which are specifically planned to be engaging, high quality, and aligned with worship themes and messages. The director oversees all areas of the Worship & Creative Arts function (currently, but not limited to, Music, Service Planning, Children’s Messages, and Production)


Working Relationship

  • The Director of Worship Arts reports to the Lead Pastor. It is essential for success that the Director of Worship Arts develops and maintains an effective relationship and partnership with the Lead Pastor, Worship Arts Staff and the Worship Arts team. Maintaining the highest levels of communication, trust, integrity, and loyalty is essential to these relationships.


Responsibilities

  • Lead Decision-maker for coordinating and planning of all elements in weekly and special worship services; and serves as the central point of communication for all areas of worship. Works collaboratively with the Worship Planning Team.
  • Oversees all aspects of worship technology, ensuring exceptional sound and visuals for both in-person and livestream experiences. (Works closely with the Worship Media Coordinator, Audio & Visual Team Coordinator and tech team to maintain the highest quality standards and stay up to date on the latest advancements in worship technology.)
  • Acts as the champion for the worship vision and continually communicates and clarifies the visions.
  • Attends weekly church staff meetings and any additional leadership meetings.
  • Works in close communication with the lead pastor in the planning and preparation of all worship services.
  • Determines and oversees staffing and general operation in the areas of worship and performing arts Assistant Worship Arts Director, Worship Media Coordinator, and Audio and Visual Team Coordinator and any assisting volunteers.
  • Communicates with worship arts leaders and volunteers on a regular basis.
  • Facilitates worship planning meetings with worship arts team leaders and the lead pastor, and makes all final decisions on worship services.
  • Facilitates collaborative sermon series planning events for staff and congregation members.
  • Works collaboratively with Assistant Worship Arts director to select service music and additional elements to support the message/theme of each service.
  • Works closely with the Assistant Worship Arts Director and Audio & Visual Team Coordinator to oversee the scheduling of all worship volunteers, training and special events
  • Provides leadership and mentoring to worship leaders to support weekly worship team rehearsals and worship services.
  • Oversees creation of weekly storyboards with worship order.
  • Submits an annual worship arts budget.
  • Monitors all worship expenditures and works within the Council-approved budget.
  • Recruits, develops, and equips leaders by providing spiritual leadership and mentoring to the worship arts team.
  • Proactively addresses personnel issues/conflict within the group. Resolves conflicts appropriately and in accordance with Joy policies and procedures.
  • Attends one skill development event (conference, seminar) for personal skill development related to worship leadership each calendar year.
  • Ensures all copyright permissions are acquired and renewed as necessary.
  • Ensures continuing maintenance of all musical instruments and equipment.
  • Coordinates special worship services for Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Christmas, and other special worship experiences.
  • Regularly prays for the Worship Arts Team, Joy! leadership, the congregation, and the ministry of Joy! as a whole.


Qualifications

  • A personal commitment to Jesus Christ and the mission statement of Joy Lutheran Church.
  • Proven leadership experience.
  • Must have knowledge of Contemporary Christian music and Traditional hymns.
  • Must have demonstrable music skills and be able to read and create chord charts
  • Proven technical skills in the areas of sound, lighting, and live-streaming. 
  • Organizational skills with an ability to meet deadlines and follow through.
  • Passion for making worship a meaningful experience for the congregation. A degree in music is not required but is a plus.
  • Active and growing personal faith and discipleship, evidenced by regular participation in worship/church events /small group.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to speak the truth in Christian love.

About Joy! Lutheran Church

Joy! Lutheran Church is not your typical mainline protestant church. With a vibrant contemporary worship service at our core, we are an affirming and inclusive community where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re young or old, single or married, straight or LGBTQ+, a lifelong believer or just exploring your faith, you have a place here at Joy! At Joy! relationships matter. Foremost, our relationship with Christ is number one. It is through that relationship that God grows us up into the people God has in mind; people love others the same way Christ loves us. Second, relationships with one another matter. #NobodySitsAlone. We believe that church should feel like family. Small groups are a vital part of DNA! We celebrate diversity and strive to create an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved. Our congregation is a melting pot of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, all coming together to worship and serve. Come and experience the Christ-centered joy, love, and inclusivity that define Joy! Lutheran Church. 

Experience Required
5-10 years

Type
Full-time

Education Required
Bachelor's Degree

Date Posted
3 months ago
Location
Gurnee, Illinois

Denomination
Lutheran

Church Size
300-500 people


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