Organist
Search
First Baptist
Church Description
FBCL is located in a suburb north
of
Ministry Description
The Organist position is
conceived to be roughly quarter-time (10 hrs/wk), and the Organist will work
directly with and be accountable to our Director of Music Ministries. The
primary responsibilities will include playing organ for congregational worship
at our 11:00 Sunday traditional worship service (with occasional participation
in the contemporary service possible), accompanying the church choir which
currently rehearses on Wednesday evenings, and being flexible and available for
other services as needed by the church, including weddings and funerals. Other
opportunities exist for musical leadership, such as handbell choirs, children’s
choirs, or other groups, which could be negotiated.
The Organist will:
(1) plan
and accompany congregational worship in cooperation with the staff worship
leadership team, which includes Senior Pastor, Music Director and Contemporary
Worship Leader.
(2) accompany
the church choir and other musicians as needed by the Music Director.
(3) be available for special
services, weddings (in cooperation with our church wedding coordinator) and
funerals, and/or assist in finding replacements.
(4) help
to organize and promote the annual Hales Memorial Organ Concert, a recently
endowed recital event, the first performance of which was held in June 2006.
(5) offer
lessons on the keyboard and encourage music appreciation.
(6) participate
in helping to lead in the spiritual life and worship of FBCL in accordance with
giftedness and congregational needs.
(7) cooperate with, meet
regularly with and be primarily accountable to the Music Director, secondarily
accountable to the Senior Pastor, acting as part of FBCL’s ministry staff team,
and ultimately accountable to the congregation through the Ministry Board.
Candidate Qualifications
(1) Beliefs and character: As
worship is a spiritual act, we consider our Organist to be first and foremost
performing a ministry. Therefore we desire our Organist, as well as all
ministry staff, to be a committed Christian in beliefs and demonstrating
exemplary Christian character. It is strongly hoped that our Organist will
desire to be a full participant and leader in the spiritual life of FBCL.
Church membership and general agreement with our church’s beliefs and practices
would be preferred, although candidates from other Christian traditions are
encouraged to apply if a gracious, supportive spirit toward our church and its
Baptist heritage can be demonstrated.
(2) Education and experience:
A qualified candidate will preferably have a degree in organ or related musical
field and AGO certification and membership, and/or outstanding ability in organ
performance in classical and church music traditions. While no minimum level of
experience is being set, a candidate with significant church organ experience
is preferred.
Compensation
Compensation will be
negotiable and set in general range of AGO guidelines for 10 hours per week, with
no additional benefit package, and up to 4 weeks paid absences.
Candidates may inquire about
or be asked to play for worship services in the interim until a regular
organist is found, at the guest substitute rate of $150/week.
Contact Information
Resumes of qualified,
interested candidates may be sent to the church at the mail or email address
below. Resumes will be reviewed by the Senior Pastor and Music Director, the Organist
Search Committee will review and select candidates for interviews, until a
single candidate is presented to the church’s Ministry Board and congregation
for final consideration and hiring.
Organist Search Committee:
Kent Berghuis, Senior Pastor
Janet Gross, Director of
Music Ministries
Rick Shive, church member and
substitute organist
Beth VandeWater, church
member and musician
Chuck Baley, church member
and musician
Send resumes to:
Janet Gross, Music Director
Email: janet@fbcl.com
Phone: 215/855-3457x106