St. Peter’s Seeks Organist
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is seeking a Part-Time Organist / Accompanist.
Please direct all applications and inquiries to: Rev. Christopher Jackson, 920-365-2218, revcjackson@gmail.com
Purpose: The organist / accompanist assists the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at the congregation by providing music for the proclamation of the Gospel, the teaching of God’s Word, the mutual encouragement of Christians, and the praise and adoration of God.
Supervision: The organist / accompanist serves under the supervision of the pastor and the Board of Elders.
Responsibilities:
- All activities of the organist / accompanist should be done in accord with a Scriptural understanding of worship and the role of music within worship.
- According to the Bible, worship is:
- God’s ministry to us in Word and Sacrament, first and foremost. God grants us the forgiveness of sins as it comes to us in Holy Baptism (Matthew 28:16-20), Holy Absolution (John 20:23), the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29), and Preaching (Acts 6:2).
- Our response to God’s blessings in praise and adoration. (Psalm 150)
- Music in worship serves several purposes, including:
- Aiding in the learning and treasuring of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16)
- Serving as a means of rendering God thanks and praise (Psalm 150, Colossians 3:16).
- Because of this, the following should be qualities of music within worship:
- Devotional. Music is focused on God’s Word and loving response. It is not a performance.
- Music helps to engage the entire congregation in proclaiming God’s Word and offering Him thanks and praise.
- This is no light affair but rather a high and holy responsibility.
- According to the Bible, worship is:
- Provide organ and piano music at all Sunday worship services, mid-week worship occasions, and special observances.
- Regular services will include:
- Sundays (52 services)
- Midweek services in Advent (3 services) and Lent (5 services)
- Ash Wednesday
- Holy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve
- This music will include:
- “Service music” found in the liturgies. St. Peter’s uses four different liturgical settings.
- Congregational hymns. These are selected by the pastor each week.
- Instrumental music for prelude, offering collection, and postlude.
- Regular services will include:
- Accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.
- Provide organ music for all weddings and funerals held at the church. Fees for these services are not provided by the church, but are honorariums from couples and families. Families may request another organist, with permission of the pastor.
- Devote a sufficient amount of time to practice and preparation.
- Provide adequate notification of absences, ideally at least a month, to allow for replacements to be arranged. Four absences throughout the year will be permitted.
Skills and Qualifications
Candidates not possessing all of the following skills and qualifications will be considered, but the ideal organist / accompanist will:
- Have a high level of proficiency on the organ and the piano.
- Be a professing Christian.
- Be willing to play music from a wide array of sources, including ancient hymns and canticles, liturgical pieces, and theologically rich contemporary songs.
- Be willing to play not only the organ but also the piano for some songs.
- Possess computer literacy skills including the ability to read and send emails, access webpages, and open and read PDF and DOC documents.
Compensation
The organist / accompanist will be paid on a per-service basis: $50 per service. Compensation will be provided on a monthly basis.
Evaluation
The pastor will conduct a yearly evaluation of the organist / accompanist, under advisement from the Board of Elders.
Term
St. Peter’s and the organist / accompanist are bound by this arrangement for one year following agreement. Either party may dissolve this agreement with a month’s notice.
