Director of Music Ministry - St. John of the Cross - Western Springs - Vic. V

Archdiocese of Chicago•Western Springs, IL

8h•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Music Ministry enables parishioners to encounter Jesus Christ through music within the parish’s liturgical celebrations and worship experiences. The Director ensures that liturgical music supports the gathered assembly in expressing the gift of faith and fosters a spirit of unity in worship. In collaboration with the Director of Liturgy, the Office of Lifelong Formation, the parish school, and other staff, the Director supports, plans, and directs regularly scheduled liturgies, special liturgical celebrations, and prayer experiences across parish ministries. The Director is responsible for directing, scheduling, and rehearsing music assemblies, including parish musicians, choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists, to ensure music ministry is well prepared and engaging. The Director is also responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing improvement of parish music ministry initiatives and demonstrates the leadership needed to identify, form, and retain strong teams of volunteer music ministers who are essential to vibrant parish ministry.

Requirements

Previous experience participating in parish music ministry.
Required proficiency in piano, organ, voice, and conducting, including experience leading congregational song and choral ensembles.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers.
Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
Knowledgeable and comfortable with Church liturgical music in all forms and styles for the congregation, choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists.
Thorough understanding of the musical, liturgical, and pastoral judgments which must be made in selecting music for liturgy; ability to communicate and prioritize the role of music in liturgical worship.
Comprehensive vision and understanding of evangelization.
Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment and sending forth.
Mature discipleship evidenced in ability to comfortably witness to one’s own faith journey.
Developed skills in leadership and management; strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Familiarity with technology used for communicating and presenting.
Availability to work weekends and evenings as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's or master's degree in music, or equivalent.
Previous experience leading parish music ministry; ability to plan and evaluate liturgical celebrations in fidelity to the official liturgical books and Catholic liturgical theology.
Open to ongoing formation / education as needed.
Language skills as needed (depending on needs of community).

Responsibilities

Support the annual planning for liturgical seasons, sacramental celebrations, and special liturgies in collaboration with the staff members and parish liturgy committee.
Direct the parish musicians, choirs and cantors to ensure all liturgies are scheduled, well planned, and engaging.
Provide training and formation for music ministers and musicians.
Provide liturgical guidance in pastoral situations, including the preparation of weddings, funerals, and other special liturgies, and ensure appropriate music coverage for these celebrations.
Collaborate with Director of Liturgy in recruiting volunteers and strive to involve newcomers and a broad spectrum of parishioners.
Direct the creation of worship aids that are engaging, accessible, and functional to enable all attendees to fully participate in the liturgies and celebrations.
Maintain equipment and resources for music ministry such as musical instruments, sound equipment, copyrighted material, etc.
Provide guidance on parish opportunities or concerns regarding music, and help to educate staff, ministers of music, and the congregation in the role of music in vibrant worship.
Stay informed of current developments in liturgy and in music as well as parish demographics to provide liturgical experiences that are welcoming and inclusive.
Prepare and coordinate the Liturgy, Prayer and Worship budget in collaboration with the Pastor, Director of Operations and other relevant members of the pastoral staff (e.g., Director of Liturgy).
Ensure that ministry complies with the guidelines for Protecting God’s Children for those who minister with and to children in accordance with the Archdiocese of Chicago policies.
Develop and implement tools for improving the quality of engaging prayer and worship in the parish (e.g., welcoming, word, witness and music as benchmarks).