Organist and Worship Accompanist

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and spiritually mature Organist and Worship Accompanist to join our team at Salem Lutheran Church. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in playing the organ and piano, as well as experience working with various types of people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide musical accompaniment for worship services, weddings, funerals, and other special events.
• Select and purchase music for preludes, offertories, postludes, and other worship services.
• Supervise the use and care of the organ and pianos.
• Work with the Choir Director and/or Director of Music Ministry and Pastor concerning music for the worship service.
• Cultivate, delegate, and schedule other organists at Salem to partner in this ministry.
• Uphold the Confession and Values of the North American Lutheran Church.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of the Christian Church Year and Lutheran liturgy.
• Accomplished organist and pianist with the ability to play accompaniment for the choir and congregation.
• Knowledgeable about the wide variety of Christian music, traditional, and contemporary.

Personal Qualities:

• Being a growing disciple of Jesus Christ.
• Sees themselves as a part of the priesthood of all believers and responsible to use God's gifts in ministry with fellow believers and those outside our community.
• Embraces the nature of worship as God's Self-revelation and our worshipful response.
• Is committed to lifelong learning.
• Has a solid understanding of biblical worship and its meaning while applying it to present culture in our Lutheran congregation.
• Seeks to help congregants participate in the elements of worship rather than simply being spectators.
• Understands the interrelationship between music and all the other acts of worship.
• Embraces the depth and breadth of Christian music.
• Helps worshipers view their worship as being connected to Christian sisters and brothers all over the world.
• Connects worship with our daily Christian Lives.
• Can communicate a passion for Christ through all of the above.

Supervision and Evaluation:

• The pastor serves as the immediate supervisor of the organist.
• The position will be evaluated regularly by the Worship and Music Committee who will forward recommendations to the Executive Council.
• The Executive Council will then complete a job performance review.
• There will be a probationary period of six months.

Vacation:

• 3 months – 3 years = 1-week paid vacation
• 3-5 years = 2 weeks paid vacation
• 5+ years = 3 weeks paid vacation
• Additional missed services are deducted from pay or paid back by the organist.

Conflict Resolution:

We are dealing with the most precious things in people's lives: faith and family. In doing so conflict will inevitably arise. It is expected that our minister of music/organist will handle conflict in a mature and loving way as outlined by Matthew 18, shunning gossip and division while also seeking reconciliation.

End of Contract:

It is expected that the minister of music/organist will give at least 1 months' notice when resigning from the position. Vacation time will not be used during notice period.

Salary:

Commensurate with responsibilities agreed upon, qualifications, and experience.

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