Associate Director for Music and Worship (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Associate Director for Music and Worship

Central Lutheran Church + Downtown Minneapolis

FULL TIME

Effective date:  TBD

Reports to:       Cantor (Mark Sedio)

Status:              Full-time

FLSA:                Exempt

Central Lutheran Church seeks a full-time Associate Musician/Associate Director of Worship to actively and creatively assist in leading the music and worship life of this historic downtown Minneapolis congregation.  The ideal candidate will be a consummate organist and service player, competent in choral conducting and leading rehearsals (adult and children’s choirs/handbells) and will serve with the Cantor (Mark Sedio) and Pastors as a collegial member of the liturgical planning team.  

Central Lutheran Church was established in 1919 as a Lutheran presence in downtown Minneapolis. During its hundred-year history it hosted numerous city-wide, national and international conferences and events: national conventions of the AGO, ACDA, a venue for the World Choral Symposium, Lutheran World Federation and hundreds of concerts.  The congregation has a long tradition of outstanding choral, organ and instrumental music and partners regularly with Augsburg University (the school’s annual Advent Vespers are held in the sanctuary) and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.

The sanctuary, which seats 1800, boasts two organs:  a four manual, 107 rank Casavant Frères (1963) and a nine rank Van Daalen tracker (1976) located in the rear gallery.    Other instruments include a 47 bell carillon (Paccard, 2006), Steinway B grand and Yamaha grand (7’6”), five octaves Schulmerich handbells, four octaves hand chimes, Orff instruments.   The Central Choir numbers 65 singers, four paid section leader/soloists and selected choral scholars associated with Augsburg University and other colleges.

Central Lutheran is known for its extensive ministry with people experiencing homelessness through its Restoration Center, the Augsburg Central Health Commons (drop in nursing services) and Align Minneapolis (congregations addressing homelessness together).   It is also home to Street Voices of Change and StreetSongMN.  

More information on all aspects of congregational life can be found on Central’s website:  www.centralmpls.org. 

Salary is negotiable based on experience.  Full benefits and retirement (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).

Primary Responsibilities:

·      Serve as associate organist

·      Responsible for the 5:00 Saturday evening service – playing, scheduling guest musicians, etc.

·      Conduct bell choir(s)

·      Serve as primary accompanist for the Central Choir and conduct rehearsals and services at the request of the Cantor

·      Coordinate the seasonal worship space décor with the worship planning team and volunteers

·      Participate in the liturgical planning with the rostered leaders

·      Develop children’s music ministry including any or all of the following:  choir, bells, training in liturgy and hymnody, movement, Orff 

·      Assist with administrative duties:  maintenance of the music library – oversee filing, music copying (weekly Psalm settings, hymn stanzas, etc.), distribution and cataloguing; hiring and arranging payment for instrumentalists (i.e. orchestras for large works)

·      Serve as primary organist for weddings (including consultations, oversee music selection, etc.)

·      Coordinate music and serve as organist/pianist for funeral and memorial services at the request of the Cantor

·      Serve as primary staff contact person/coordinator for summer carillon concerts (arranged with The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul)

Qualifications

·      High proficiency in organ and piano.   Bachelor’s (minimum) or Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferred; minimum three years’ experience with educational background supporting the requirements of the position.

·      Excellent proven choral conducting skills with knowledge of sacred choral literature a plus

·      Familiarity with the Lutheran liturgical tradition, hymnody, historical context and global musical outlook

·      Ability to work in a collaborative staff model

Physical requirements

·      Able to move freely in and out of a variety of ministry settings on the church campus as well as off-site.

Core Competencies + Fall, 2016 + Central Lutheran Church Staff

These core competencies are a part of our shared life as staff.  They are the shared part of each job description.

·      Collegiality:  Ability to work in a collegial environment, both with fellow staff members and with leaders of the congregation.  Leads creatively, working to figure out the process necessary to get things done in a collaborative way.  Recognizes when situations or colleagues are not working well and seeks a positive solution. Creates and communicates vision and direction for the team the staff members for the good of the congregation’s mission.

·      Interpersonal:  Demonstrates the ability to lead others.  Demonstrates skills in active listening and openly accepts criticism.  Constantly works to resolve interpersonal conflict that does arise in a collegial environment.  Holds others accountable in a spirit of love.  Engages all staff and members of the congregation positively with a demeanor of optimism and care. 

·      Spiritual:  Tends to their own personal faith.  If a member of the congregation is regular in worship, seeks a way to participate in faith growth opportunities and a way to care and serve through the congregation’s ministries.  If not a member, seeks these same opportunities in their home congregation. In their own prayer life, remembers the ministries of the congregation and members who are in need.  Models and develops humility, openness, accountability and servant leadership in all roles, with colleagues and members of the congregation.

·      Process:  Works with colleagues and leaders of the congregation to regularly assess the health of ministry areas and mission initiatives.  Seeks new and creative solutions to process challenges in the daily, weekly and monthly flow of the congregation’s life.

·      Leadership:  Understands his/her own strengths for ministry and continues to develop these skills. Open to coaching from the lead in their area so that strengths can grow and deepen.  Leaders in ministry areas will work to delegate and so empower colleagues so they develop personally and professionally.  Initiates the scheduling of needed meetings for projects. Schedules the one-on-one meetings with members of your team according the agreed on staffing model.

·      Communication:  Serves as the champion for communication in their ministry or mission value area. Works ahead in the preparation of communication to tell the story of the opportunities for members to be a part of the ministry or mission area.  Takes the initiative in making sure events are scheduled, the calendar is correct and that the details for the event are communicated both with the congregation and colleagues.

Interested applicants are invited to send a resumé and cover letter by e-mail or post to Sara Masters, Director of Communications (smasters@centralmpls.org) – please include Associate Dir for Music/Worship in subject heading.  

Applications by post:

Sara Masters, Director of Communications

Attn:  Associate Dir Mus/Worship Search Committee

Central Lutheran Church

333 South 12thStreet

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404-1496

Application deadline is March 31, 2020

For more information contact Mark Sedio at msedio@centralmpls.org.