Salem Lutheran Church, West Alexandria - Organist (part time)

Position Title: Organist
Church Name: Salem Lutheran Church
https://www.salemlutherannalc.com/
Church Address: 70 East Dayton Street West Alexandria, Ohio 45381
Contact Name: Dan Mershon
Contact Email: wasalemlutheran@gmail.com
Job Description:

We’re looking for a musically-gifted, spiritually mature, biblically-grounded Christian to work with the Pastor and the Worship and Music Committee and help lead the congregation in healthy worship. The ideal candidate will have experience in playing both the organ and the piano at a similar sized church and experience working with various types of people.

Job Performance Requirements
The primary responsibility is the organ and piano accompaniment in our Salem worship ministry.
Other duties include:
• Playing the organ/piano for:
– Worship services
– Weddings (as able)
– Funerals (as able)
– Adult choir rehearsals
– Rehearsals of special vocalists
– Rehearsals with special music
– Personal practice of 3 hours per week
– Special services during Lent, Easter, Christmas, and other Holy Days
• Select and purchase music for preludes, offertories, postludes, etc.
• Supervise the use and care of the organ
• Work with the Choir Director and/or Director of Music Ministry and Pastor concerning music for the worship service
• Supervise the use and care for pianos
• Cultivate, delegate and schedule other organists at Salem to partner in this ministry.
• Uphold the Confession and Values of the North American Lutheran Church
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Training
Candidate to become knowledgeable of:
• The Christian Church Year and Lutheran liturgy,
• Accomplished organist and pianist and able to play accompaniment for the choirnand congregation.
• Knowledgeable about the wide variety of Christian music, traditional, and contemporary.

Personal Traits
Our ideal candidate will grow into the embodiment of these characteristics:
• Being a growing disciple of Jesus Christ.
• Sees themselves as a part of the priesthood of all believers and responsible to use
God’s gifts in ministry with fellow believers and those outside our community.
• Embraces the nature of worship as God’s Self-revelation and our worshipful response.
• Is committed to lifelong learning.
• Has a solid understanding of biblical worship and its meaning while applying it to present culture in our Lutheran congregation.
• Seeks to help congregants participate in the elements of worship rather than simply being spectators.
• Understands the interrelationship between music and all the other acts of worship.
• Embraces the depth and breadth of Christian music.
• Helps worshipers view their worship as being connected to Christian sisters and
brothers all over the world.
• Connects worship with our daily Christian Lives.
• Can communicate a passion for Christ through all of the above.

Supervision and Evaluation
• The pastor serves as the immediate supervisor of the organist.
• The position will be evaluated regularly by the Worship and Music Committee who will forward recommendations to the Executive Council. The Executive Council will then complete a job performance review.
• There will be a probationary period of six months.

Conflict
We are dealing with the most precious things in people’s lives: faith and family. In doing so conflict will inevitably arise. It is expected that our minister of music/organist will handle conflict in a mature and loving way as outlined by Matthew 18, shunning gossip and division while also seeking reconciliation.

End of Contract
It is expected that the minister of music/organist will give at least 1 months’ notice when
resigning from the position. Vacation time will not be used during notice period.

Interview start date: Not stated
Position Start Date: Not stated
Instruments: 1942 Hilgreen & Lane pipe organ
Rehearsal Time & Day: Wednesday: 7:30 pm
Service Time(s): Not stated
Salary Range: Commensurate with responsibilities agreed upon, qualifications, and experience
Staff Meetings: Not stated
Paid Vacation:
• 3 months – 3 years = 1 week paid vacation
• 3-5 years = 2 weeks paid vacation
• 5+ years = 3 weeks paid vacation
• Additional missed services are deducted from pay or paid back by the organist.