Job Description
Director, Christian Education and Music (Option 2)
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Murfreesboro, TN
Christian Education and Music plays a key role in the mission of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It is a goal of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church (FCPC) to provide and promote a wide range of Christian Education opportunities for the Church community through:
- Child care for infants-23 months
- Sunday school for ages 2 through the 5th grade
- Youth programs, activities and curriculum-based instruction for grades 6-12
- Confirmation classes for Youth who wish to be confirmed in the Christian faith and become members of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
- Adult study groups and programs
- Special events and ministries
To ensure FCPC achieves its Christian Education and Music goals, the Church will be staffed with a full-time Director of Christian Education and Music (DCEM), working in cooperation with the Pastor, the Christian Education Committee, the Worship Committee, the Session and part-time Youth Coordinator to advocate for Christian education and Music programs for all members of FCPC. The Youth Coordinator is vital to the overall educational mission of the church by ensuring quality programs and mentoring for grades 6 – 12.
The Director of Christian Education and Music will be responsible for planning, enabling, and implementing comprehensive programs of Christian Education and Music which include Sunday School, Youth, Chancel and Children’s Choirs, Handbell Choir, and other opportunities for spiritual enrichment and fellowship for adults, youth, and children of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Position Responsibilities
Through group interaction and leadership as well as in individual conversation and mentoring, the Director of Christian Education and Music will assist others in exploring the mysteries of the faith so as to deepen understanding, encourage spiritual growth, and support this community of faith in its life and mission. This position reports directly to the Pastor and works under the guidance of the Christian Education Committee, the Worship Committee and the Church Session to:
I. Sunday School/Children/Youth Programs
- Provide general administrative and spiritual leadership to the Sunday School program in developing the structure of the program, choice of curriculum, recruiting of children and inclusion of the congregation in the Sunday School process and chaperone special events, as needed.
- Develop and/or procure, in consultation with the Pastor and the Christian Education Committee, a Sunday School curriculum that is spiritually appropriate as well as relevant and engaging to the Youth of the Church
- Provide leadership and guidance to volunteer staff and identify the key support roles required from the Christian Education Committee
- Support the Christian Education Committee recruitment of Church Schoolteachers, including Sunday School, LINC, JOY Club and Vacation Bible School
- Train, communicate with and provide resources to teachers
- Advise Pastor on Sunday morning programs and schedule
- Coordinate and plan (along with the Christian Education Committee and Pastor) special programs for children, such as Outreach and Worship services
- Initiate and maintain communications concerning educational activities and opportunities through regular newsletter/ e-mail and/or weekly bulletins, including mail-outs/email to individuals, groups and new prospects
II. Adult Education
- Develop and provide leadership for adult education programs, working with the Pastor and Christian Education Committee
- Identify and procure, as needed and in concert with the Pastor and Sunday School teachers, Bible study resources to support adult education programs
- Assist with the publicity and promotion of adult education programs
- Plan and lead in consultation with the Christian Education Committee a program for young adults; particularly a program for college-age students focusing on MTSU
III. Music Education
- Direct the planning and conducting of music within the Church, especially those portions of the weekly worship services that pertain to music
- Coordinate Church music programs with emphasis on the Church calendar
- Assist the Pastor and the Worship Committee in planning the congregational services of the Church; responsible for the selection of music, particularly anthems and solos
- Coordinate performance schedules of music groups and individuals within the Church
- Manage the maintenance of existing and addition of new equipment to the music department
- Develop and present annual music budget to the Worship Committee and Session, as appropriate
- Expand the depth and breadth of the Choir’s range of music, utilizing an ever-increasing number of genres of music employed for Sunday mornings.
- Seek to involve Choir members in the life and witness of the Church beyond the activities of the Choir
- Seek out and recruit new members for the Church’s music programs, particularly the Chancel, Children’s and Bell Choirs; but to also include other expressions of music and praise
- Train Choirs in choral techniques, appreciation of sacred music, and leadership and participation in worship
- Select and purchase music, worship and music resources, services of outside instrumentalists, musical instruments and equipment
- Represent the Church by serving on appropriate denomination committees and community organizations
III. Administrative/Other
· The DCEM (Director, Christian Education and Music) will be an Ex-Officio member of the Christian Education Committee and the Worship Committee; attending committee meetings and providing the appropriate leadership therein
· Assist in the selection and training of teachers for all Christian Education programs in cooperation with the Pastor, Christian Education Committee, and the class involved
· Provide monthly articles for the Church Newsletter and update the Church website, as appropriate
· Attend all Staff Meetings as called by the Pastor
· Develop and manage, with the oversight of the Christian Education and Worship Committees, the annual budget for Christian Education and Music
· Regularly take advantage of educational opportunities toward continuing professional and personal growth and development, in consultation with the Pastor
· Participate fully in the life of the Church
· Work with the Christian Education and Worship Committees and the Pastor to plan occasional intergenerational activities and events
Qualifications and Requirements
The candidate will have a strong personal commitment to Christ and Christian education with experience in Christian education leadership roles, and will be in support of the Cumberland Presbyterian tradition.
- Mature Christian who is committed to the Church’s life and mission and possesses a clear understanding and appreciation for the Word and relationship with Jesus Christ as the center of our life together
- Knowledge of Cumberland Presbyterian doctrine
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, majoring in Music, preferred; equivalent applicable experience may be considered for the right candidate
- Demonstrated experience in choral direction, arrangement and accompaniment required
- Piano and organ skills, for performance and leading the congregation
- Ability to lead and perform various styles of music
- Solo performance experience, Leadership abilities and ability to work with and inspire volunteers
- Must be faith-filled, prayerful and passionate about helping others grow in their Christian faith and relationship with Jesus Christ
- Strong communication skills (oral and written) and organizational skills are required
- Ability to work with people from diverse aspects of the community; within and without the Church; must positively related with a variety of ages and have skills at and a passion for helping others grow in their faith understanding
- Proficient computer skills are essential
- Must be self-motivated, as well as able to take direction from the Pastor and work collegially as a member of the Church Staff team
- The Director of Christian Education and Music must be a person actively engaged in the disciplines of worship and prayer as well as the study of Scripture and theology
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