The Search is On!

We are happy to report that the search for our new Minister of Worship and Music is underway! The search team gathered last week to review the job description approved by the council and to discuss the interview process we will follow. The search team consists of Roger and Barbara Fielding, Gabby and Pete Bouwma, Jay Persing, Walter Richardson, and Pastor Kenny. Please pray for this team as they do the hard work of discerning the right person for this role!

Last week and this week, the job description is being posted to multiple places including Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, American Guild of Organists: DC Chapter, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Metro DC Synod, NOVA Community College, George Mason University, Shenandoah University, Reconciling Works (RIC), ELCA Deacon Facebook Group, our own Facebook page, and it has been passed along to a few other church musicians who have large networks and have helped us think through the job position. We will continue to seek out other appropriate places to post the job, but we invite you to also share the position with anyone you might think would be a good fit! You can view the position on our website or via a PDF by clicking the buttons below.

VIEW ON WEBSITE

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As the search continues, there will be fewer updates to protect the confidentiality of candidates. As we have information we can share with the congregation, we will. In the meantime, we have secured an interim supply organist/pianist who will provide worship music starting in September. We are working with our musical groups and those with musical gifts in the congregation to provide special music on Sundays for offertories. We have also begun to consider the 50th anniversary and are speaking with our supply musician about providing additional support for that special Sunday to ensure a wonderful celebration!

We ask that you continue to hold the congregation in prayer, asking God to not only prepare the heart and mind of our next Minister of Worship & Music, but to help us discern clearly the right person, and to prepare us to receive this new person! If you have any questions about the job description or the search process, please feel free to reach out to Pastor Kenny or anyone on the search team.

FAQS

How long will the search take?

We are hopeful that the search will not take too long. However, we do not want to rush the process. We want to take our time to find the right fit for the position. There are not too many open positions like this in our area and the Metro DC area has a good amount of musical talent. We are hopeful and appreciate any additional prayers!

Is the salary competitive with similar jobs in the market?

Yes! We have spoken to a couple of professionals in this area who have agreed that the salary we are offering for the work is very generous and competitive. We have also looked at multiple other churches in the area who are hiring for similar roles with similar hours and we fall on the high end of the typical range we have seen. We know that we don't have much to offer in other benefits but we can offer a very competitive salary and a wonderful work atmosphere!

Is this the same job description that we had for Alex?

No. We used Alex's description as a starting point, however, we have expanded the job slightly and have taken into account the growing need for interactions and ministry with the unhoused and neighbors in the plaza. We have made a shift in the job to not just be about music but to have a people focus. We believe there is great potential in all of our ministries to reach those on the margins and our music ministry is no different.

Are we only looking locally?

While we are pouring most of our energy into a local search, we are not opposed to finding someone who would need to re-locate.

Have you thought about posting the job to...?

We are certain we have not thought of all the places we could possibly post the job. We have intentionally avoided things like "Indeed" because of the cost and effectiveness it has with a position like this. However, if the search begins to take longer than expected, we will broaden our posts. If you have a recommendation on a place to post, please let Pastor Kenny know at PastorKenny@ChristServes.org. You are also welcome to send the job posting to anyone who you think might be interested!