Worship Co-Leader/Music Director - Chicago, IL
Listed 06-08-2021
Employer: Urban Village Church - Wicker Park, 1012 N Noble St, Chicago, IL 60642 | (630) 355-8181 | www.urbanvillagechurch.org
Location: Chicago, IL
Start Date: August 2021
Type: Part time, 7-9 hours/week
Download: Worship Co-Leader/Music Director Job Description
About Urban Village Church:
Urban Village Church (www.urbanvillagechurch.org) is a community of people in Chicago trying to do church differently. We pray and work to be a bold, inclusive, relevant church that introduces or reintroduces people to God; accepts absolutely everybody (believer or doubter, gay or straight, tattoos or suits) right where they are; and offers something good and helpful to the world. We seek a worship co-leader/musician to lead weekly Sunday services in Wicker Park at Vittum Theater (1012 N Noble St, Chicago, IL 60642) ideally starting August 2021.
Together, with another worship co-leader, you will be responsible for facilitating and energetically leading praise and worship during Sunday services and other special worship services (Blue Christmas, Christmas Eve, Good Friday, etc.) in collaboration with worship leaders from our other UVC locations, incorporating a variety of elements and styles that focus on welcoming and inspiring the church community into full participation in the bold, inclusive and relevant message and mission of God.
Reports to: Rev. D’Angelo Smith (Site Pastor of UVC Wicker Park and Hyde Park | Woodlawn)
Status: Part Time, 7-9 hrs/week which pays $8,400 annually
Job Description:
Preparation for Sunday Morning Activities and Special Services:
● Communicating with pastor(s) on theme/sermon content for the week to co-create and co-lead a well-planned and prayerful worship service
● Working with vocalist co-leader to choose and prepare songs to complete a "set-list" that would feed people most effectively and respond to God's word and presence.
Worship music primarily consists of an opening set, offering, communion, and closing songs.
● Paying special attention to theological messages that are inclusive, thoughtful, and sensitive to the spiritual needs of the congregation, including attention paid to gendered language about God and a commitment to anti-racist values. This is done in collaboration with the pastor and co-leader.
● Sending set list and lyrics to team members and A/V leads by Wednesday evening or preparing lyric slides yourself/in collaboration with co-leader
● Sending music charts to musicians by Wednesday evening
2. Coordinate and oversee Sunday Morning Activities (8:30am-12pm) and Special Services:
● Rehearsing with band members, ensuring that band members are adequately prepared for worship (e.g. reviewing new music charts and coaching musicians on their instruments);
● Leading music for Sunday and special services with co-leader and volunteers;
● Monitoring set-up, tear-down, and maintenance of musical instruments and A/V equipment.
3. Recruiting and overseeing volunteer musicians:
● Encouraging participation, with attention paid to size and diversity (gender, racial/ethnic) of the music leadership;
● Oversee A/V volunteer leadership and functions (ensuring that slides are prepared and projections are correct, sound quality, etc.).
4. Meeting regularly with site pastor and co-leader;
5. Gathering and coordinating with other site worship leaders for special functions and services.
Minimum Qualifications:
We are not looking for a diva but for someone who enjoys leading God's people in worship and helping people discover the countercultural joy of singing *together*. The ideal candidate will:
Lead strongly on a lead instrument and be able to contribute on vocals;
Arranging, writing, transcribing recordings/writing out chord charts as necessary;
Knowledge of a wide range of Christian/spiritual songs that are relevant for a church context; conversant/comfortable with many of the following musical styles/genres:
● Gospel
● traditional Christisan hymns
● contemporary worship music (e.g. Chris Tomlin, Aaron Niequist, Hillsong, Maverick City Music, Elevation Worship)
● pop (e.g Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Katy Perry)
● Jazz
4. Formal or informal musical training (ranging from self taught, to private lessons, to college degree with a music background)
5. At least 1 year prior experience leading worship in a congregational setting preferred
6. Experience training and organizing musicians
7. Comfort speaking and performing publicly with a commitment of seeking to grow in that area
8. The ability to create quarterly/yearly goals and vision for the music team
Physical Requirements:
Position requires the ability to lift boxes, music materials and sound equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
Core Competencies:
Detail-oriented
Collaborative-minded
Passionate/Inspirational
Entrepreneurial
Developing a team
Process management
Energized by cultivating relationships
Auditions & Applying:
Auditions will be arranged based on availability of the musician and pastors. For questions or to apply, submit the following via email to dangelo@urbanvillagechurch.org and office@urbanvillagechurch.org:
1) a description of your style, repertoire, and experience;
2) a short resume including 3 references and their contact information; and
3) audio or video links to samples of your music/worship music leading.
*Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of our 10:30 AM Sunday worship services, via Facebook or Youtube, to gain a sense of who we are and what we’re looking for.
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