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Music Leader Job Description

Trinity Church of Bedford is looking for a godly and skilled man to serve as Music Leader for our congregation. He will oversee musical elements for all public worship services, raise up volunteers, and glorify God by leading the church in song. This role is ideal for those who are musically gifted, centered on the gospel, who love the church, and who believe strongly in congregational singing.

By God’s grace, visitors often comment on the strength of the congregational singing when they attend a service. We aim to be a church that follows the pattern of Exodus 15:1, when “the people of Israel sang to the LORD, saying, ‘I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously.’” We praise him through song because he has saved us through Christ. Thus we’re seeking a man who will help lift our voices in joyful worship to our Triune God.

Please see the bottom of this document for a fuller description of Trinity’s philosophy of music ministry.

Qualifications:

• Ability to become a member of Trinity Church of Bedford by affirming Statement of Faith and Covenant (available at TrinityBedford.org).
• Love for the Lord and love for the church.
• Ability to lead musically on piano, guitar, or vocals.
• Ability to help lead service (through transitions to different elements of the service).
• Ability to recruit, train, and organize volunteers.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee musical elements for all public worship services.
• Lead musically at least 32 services per year.
• Recruit and train volunteers to serve in corporate worship.
• Oversee volunteer schedule.
• Provide feedback to preacher (usually preaching pastor) on song selection.
• Hold music rehearsal as needed.
• Communicate with tech team as needed.
• Participate in bi-weekly 30min service review (time TBD based on schedules).

Not Responsibilities:

• Choose weekly songs. The preacher will normally do this, but feedback is always welcome from other staff/elders.
• Assemble liturgy, order or service, or other elements of the worship service.
  • The preaching pastor will normally do this, with feedback always welcome.
• Input songs into ProPresenter, bulletin, or other medium for lyrics.
• Oversee sound team.
  • That is a separate team, with a separate leader.
• Attend weekly staff meeting. Only bi-weekly service review is required.

Time: 3-5hrs/wk

Compensation: $12,800/yr

Music Philosophy of Trinity Church of Bedford

Why do Christians sing? Fundamentally, it is because our God is worth singing over. For example, Adam sang over his wife in Genesis 1 to express his delight and joy in her. That which is glorious leads naturally to glory-ascribing in the form of poetic or musical praise. Or, following the LORD’s great act of deliverance at the Red Sea, the first thing Israel did is respond with a song of praise (Exodus 15). The rest of the Old Testament, especially the Psalms, is littered with commands to praise God in song.

When we come to the New Testament, Christians are likewise commanded to sing. Ephesians 5:18-19 says, “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Interestingly, there are two audiences to our singing. First, our songs are directed to God. We make melody to him with our hearts. Second, our songs are directed to one another. This is why we sing. If we were only addressing the Lord, it would be enough to make melody in our hearts. However, because we are also addressing human beings, we make melody, not only with our hearts, but also with our vocal cords, diaphragm, tongue, teeth, lips, and everything else that is required to address one another in song.

Thus, we aim to sing loudly, joyfully, and centered on Christ. Some our songs are faster, some slower; some of them older, while others more recent. In this, we try to cover the whole range of human emotion and experience. And rather than the musicians put on a show or “production,” they encourage and assist the congregation’s voice. In short, when it comes to music, singing is the main thing. And when it comes to singing, the congregation is the main instrument.

A small sampling of our songs include: Holy, Holy, Holy; Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee; O Great God; A Mighty Fortress; How Great Thou Art; Behold Our God; Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; Come Thou Fount; All Creatures of Our God and King; Be Thou My Vision; In Christ Alone; All I Have Is Christ; Jesus Paid it All; Nothing But the Blood; There is a Fountain; When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; His Forever; Man of Sorrows (What a Name!); Amazing Grace; See the Destined Day Arise; The Solid Rock; Grace Greater Than Our Sin; All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name; How Deep the Father’s Love; Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery; Speak, O Lord; Grace Greater Than All Our Sin; Yet Not I, but Through Christ in Me; Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor; His Mercy is More; I Will Wait for You (Ps 130); The Christian’s Daily Prayer; It Is Well; What A Friend We Have in Jesus; Come, Ye Sinners Poor and Needy; How Firm a Foundation; Rock of Ages; Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending; He Will Hold Me Fast; Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right; Afflicted Saint to Christ Draw Near; Christ is Mine Forevermore; All Glory Be to Christ; And Can It Be?; The Power of the Cross; By Faith.

Here are two brief articles that touch upon our philosophy of music ministry.