PURPOSE

The Director of Music Ministry serves the church by leading and cultivating the musical elements of our corporate worship in accordance with Scripture and the theological convictions and worship philosophy of River Valley Church. Working under the direction of the Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor, the Director seeks to strengthen the congregation's singing through the thoughtful selection and use of biblically faithful, theologically rich, and congregationally singable hymns and songs that exalt Christ, proclaim the truth of God's Word, and give voice to the faith of the gathered church. Because congregational singing is an act of the whole church rather than a performance presented to the church, the Director leads in a manner that supports, encourages, and amplifies the congregation's voice rather than replacing or overshadowing it. Musical excellence is therefore pursued not as an end in itself, but in service to faithful, reverent, joyful, and wholehearted congregational worship. The Director also provides leadership and development for the musicians, vocalists, and sound and production teams, cultivating both musical excellence and a ministry culture marked by humility, preparation, theological conviction, and love for the church. In close partnership with the Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor, the Director helps ensure that the musical ministry of River Valley Church serves the larger purpose of our Lord's Day gatherings: that God's people would hear His Word, respond to His truth, encourage one another in the faith, and together glorify God through Jesus Christ.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MINISTRY

• A regenerate believer with a deep and abiding love for Christ, His Word, and His Church.

• Demonstrates mature Christian character and a life marked by personal holiness, humility, integrity, self-control, faithfulness, and ongoing sanctification.

• Demonstrates doctrinal soundness, servant-heartedness, and mature Christian leadership in both personal and family life.

• Possesses a strong commitment to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, our Reformed Baptist theological convictions, biblical discipleship, and the supremacy of Christ in all things.

• Must become a covenant member of River Valley Church, along with spouse, fully affirming the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith and demonstrating an enthusiastic desire to uphold the church's doctrine, convictions, and covenant responsibilities.

• Demonstrates a genuine love for the local church and a desire to serve the congregation rather than pursue a platform, personal following, or particular musical style.

• Possesses a proven record of effective leadership in Christian ministry, including the ability to recruit and develop leaders, build healthy teams, lead volunteers, communicate clearly, and create effective systems.

• Demonstrates the ability to receive direction, work collaboratively, and respond to change with joy, humility, flexibility, and grace.

• Demonstrates faithfulness in personal and financial stewardship.

• Candidate and spouse must successfully complete all required state and federal background checks and other employment screening requirements established by River Valley Church.

PROFESSIONAL & MINISTRY COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates strong musical proficiency and experience leading congregational singing in a ocal church, including the ability to select appropriate keys, develop arrangements, and effectively direct musicians and vocalists.

• Possesses strong vocal ability and proficiency on a primary instrument appropriate for leading congregational singing, with the ability to lead confidently without drawing unnecessary attention to oneself.

• Demonstrates wholehearted agreement with River Valley Church's Reformed Baptist theological convictions and philosophy of corporate worship, including its convictions regarding congregational singing and the conviction that musical leadership exists to support and strengthen the voice of the gathered church rather than create a performance for it.

• Possesses a working knowledge of historic and contemporary hymnody and sufficient theological maturity and discernment to evaluate hymns and songs for biblical faithfulness, doctrinal clarity, theological depth, congregational singability, and suitability for corporate worship.

• Possesses an appreciation for the breadth of the church's musical heritage and the ability to thoughtfully incorporate historic hymns and excellent contemporary songs in a manner consistent with River Valley Church's Reformed Baptist theological convictions and philosophy of corporate worship.

• Leads from the platform with confidence, humility, warmth, and appropriate restraint, directing attention toward Christ and encouraging the congregation's participation rather than drawing attention to oneself.

• Demonstrates the ability to recruit, train, develop, and lead musicians of varying levels of experience and ability, providing clear musical direction while building healthy and effective teams.

• Possesses strong organizational, communication, and administrative skills, including proficiency with—or the ability to learn—Planning Center and other ministry-related technology.

• Possesses sufficient knowledge of audio and production systems to provide effective leadership and oversight of the church's sound and production ministry.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Several years of demonstrated experience leading music and congregational singing in a local church setting is strongly preferred.

• Formal education or training in music, theology, or ministry is preferred but not required.

• Demonstrated musical ability, theological maturity, ministry effectiveness, and alignment with River Valley Church's Reformed Baptist theological convictions and philosophy of corporate worship may be considered in place of formal education or training.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Congregational Singing & Music Leadership

• Plan and lead the musical elements of weekly corporate worship with a primary emphasis on strengthening and encouraging congregational singing.

• Select hymns and songs that are biblically faithful, theologically rich, congregationally singable, and appropriate to the gathered church.

• Work closely with the Senior Pastor in planning the musical elements of each Lord's Day gathering, selecting songs that complement the preaching of the Word and serve the theological and pastoral purposes of the service.

• Lead congregational singing from the platform in a manner that encourages full and wholehearted participation, supporting and amplifying the congregation's voice rather than replacing or overshadowing it.

• Ensure the musical elements of corporate worship reflect biblical faithfulness, reverence, joy, simplicity, and excellence, consistent with River Valley Church's Reformed Baptist theological convictions and philosophy of corporate worship.

2. Music Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, develop, and lead musicians and vocalists who demonstrate the character, ability, and commitment necessary to serve the congregation faithfully.

• Lead organized and effective rehearsals that prioritize musical excellence, preparation, clarity, and readiness to serve the congregation well.

• Provide clear musical direction while cultivating a team culture marked by humility, unity, teachability, preparation, and servant-heartedness.

• Schedule and organize musicians and vocalists through Planning Center, ensuring clear and timely communication, appropriate preparation, and dependable coverage.

• Model and encourage Christian maturity, faithfulness, humility, and love for Christ and His Church among team members.

3. Sound & Production Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for the sound, video, projection, and production teams, ensuring that all systems support the Lord's Day gathering with excellence while serving, rather than distracting from, the congregation's worship.

• Oversee audio production and mixing to maintain clarity, balance, and appropriate volume levels that support the congregation's voice rather than overpowering it.

• Oversee video and visual production, including projection, recording, and post-service distribution of sermons and other approved content.

• Recruit, train, develop, schedule, and lead volunteers serving in sound, video, projection, and production roles, using Planning Center to ensure clear communication, preparation, and dependable coverage.

• Coordinate the technical and production elements of each Lord's Day gathering with the Senior Pastor, musicians, and production volunteers to promote clarity, order, excellence, and minimal distraction.

4. Ministry & Administrative Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, and other staff, contributing to the overall ministry and mission of River Valley Church.

• Participate actively in staff meetings, ministry planning, and the broader life of the church as expected of a full-time ministry staff member.

• Plan and lead the musical and production elements of special services and gatherings as assigned, including baptisms, the Lord's Supper, weddings, funerals, and seasonal services.

• Maintain effective systems, schedules, planning timelines, and clear communication necessary for the faithful and efficient administration of the music and production ministries.

5. Additional Responsibilities

• Perform additional ministry and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Pastor, consistent with the needs of the church and the Director's abilities and role.