Director of
MUSIC
Church of the Cross, Austin, TX
Job Role: The Director of Music reports to the Rector and has overall responsibility for the spiritual health and vibrancy of the sung worship life of the congregation.
Church of the Cross (COTC) is an Anglican Church centered in Northeast Austin for the good of our neighborhood, the greater Austin area, and the world in the name of Jesus Christ — a community of faith, hope and love, rooted in Scripture, guided by ancient practices, and enlivened by the Holy Spirit.
We are a young, vibrant and growing community in Northeast Austin. We have approximately 250 active worshippers, many of whom are children. Church of the Cross is in an exciting season of transition, having recently added new staff to our team and purchased a property. You can read more about our values and vision here.
Currently this position is approximately half-time (roughly 20 hrs/week), with some variance throughout the year. In the coming years we anticipate this becoming a full time position as growth allows. Other responsibilities may be added in such possible areas as local mission, communications, the arts more generally, as well as community and formation, etc. These additional responsibilities may shift depending on the candidate and the dynamic needs/opportunities in the parish. We’re open to discussion and adapting the role depending on candidates strengths and capacities.
Core Job Responsibilities:
Plan & Lead Music in Worship Services
Guide the congregation through the sung and liturgical elements of worship, embedding responsive Psalms and prayers into songs.
Identify, introduce and teach theologically sound music that fits COTC’s culture/ethos (including songs reflective of the multi-ethnicity of God’s kingdom).
Coordinates teams to lead special mid-week worship services and other special events (e.g., retreats, outreach, etc.)
Manage software to facilitate service planning and scheduling (e.g., Planning Center), and the creation of slides and liturgical guides for corporate worship.
In partnership with the rector and clergy plan liturgical elements for weekly worship and seasons of the church year.
Lead Music & AV Teams
Plans & lead the worship band rehearsals, including teaching and instruction on worship, musicianship, and prayer.
Recruit, equip, shepherd, and disciple members of the music team, including identifying and developing new worship music leaders.
Partner with creatives inside (e.g. current Musician in Residence) and outside the church as needed for special services.
Oversee AV staff and volunteers to ensure excellent and distraction-free worship and livestreamed services.
Other duties as agreed upon in discussion with the rector.
Core Competencies and Attributes:
Regularly engages personally with God and leads public worship out of the overflow of private devotion.
Loves the church and has a heart for congregational worship.
Imagines both the dynamic presence of the Spirit in the context of sung worship and the prescribed liturgy as equally important mediums through which we encounter God.
Emotionally Healthy. Can be gracious, unhurried and non-anxious in a manner that is sensitive to and patient with the interpersonal anxieties of others. Faces up to people problems on any person or situation quickly and directly in a spirit of seeking reconciliation and truth.
Highly self-motivated, works well independently and possesses the ability to work collaboratively on a team. Builds rapport well by being a good listener, and is able to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
An effective leader, able to create a climate in which people want to do their best and thus can motivate many different kinds of team members. Understands and casts a spiritual/theological vision for COTC’s worship so that musicians and anyone who helps in worship can understand the aim of our worship.
Is, or is willing to become, an active participant in the life of COTC, wholeheartedly embraces our vision, values, and theological convictions.
The ideal candidate:
Has a diverse musical background with ability to play more than one instrument and vocal skills. Is able to direct vocalists in learning melody and harmonies, utilize band members with complementary abilities and instrumentation, and provide arrangements for a variety of instruments.
Has significant experience leading musical worship in a local church.
Understands A/V equipment and other technologies required for music ministry.
Can attend weekly staff meetings as well as other team meetings/retreats scheduled throughout the year, and congregational events with musical worship (e.g. Holy Week, Parish Retreat, etc.)
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter, along with three references to Peter. Links to audio or video recordings are welcome. Our hope is for this position to be filled early in 2023.