Assistant Director of Worship and the Arts

Status: 40 Hours Per Week

Reports to: Director of Worship, the Arts, and Organist

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Worship and the Arts is a dynamic and creative role responsible for leading and enhancing worship and the arts at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, with a primary focus on the weekly 9:00 service and the School of Fine Arts. The ideal candidate is a gifted musician, collaborative leader, and experienced communicator who is passionate about both worship and innovative outreach.

Primary Objectives:

• Lead music for the weekly 9:00 a.m. service, establishing a cohesive musical vision that pulls in traditional and contemporary styles.

• Direct the School of Fine Arts. Grow the school through implementation of new singer songwriter and music production offerings and advocacy in the church and community.

• Develop a connection between the School of Fine Arts and worship leadership at the 9:00 a.m. service by identifying and creating performing opportunities for SFA students and faculty.

• Support the broader vision of worship and arts ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, contributing to a vibrant and creative worship and arts culture.

Primary Responsibilities:

Collaborate in Worship Planning

• Work closely with the Director of Worship and the Arts and the Senior Pastor to develop and implement a distinctive musical style for the 9:00 a.m. service that complements the traditional choir and organ-led worship at the 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. services.

• Offer creative input in liturgy development, integrating music, arts, and spiritual expression for three weekly worship services and special worship services.

• Assist in the preparation and execution of music for the 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services as needed.

• Foster a spirit of unity between the different services, celebrating diversity in worship styles while maintaining a consistent spiritual message.

Lead Music for the Weekly 9:00 a.m. Service

• Plan and lead all musical elements of the 9:00 a.m. worship, selecting a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs and integrating instrumentation and vocal styles that contrast yet harmonize with traditional service offerings.

• Collaborate with the preacher of the day to select music that aligns with the worship theme and enhances the worship experience.

• Lead rehearsals for both paid and volunteer musicians, ensuring high-quality music preparation and performance.

• Foster a positive and inclusive environment for all musicians, cultivating their growth and involvement in worship. Draw from faculty and students of the School of Fine Arts to increase the number of musicians participating in leadership.

Direct the School of Fine Arts

• Develop and implement curriculum with focus on new areas of singer songwriter and music production classes.

• Hire and manage school staff.

• Coordinate private lessons, helping students and parents find the right teachers, and acting as liaison between families and teachers.

• Manage accounting for the school, including registration, billing, invoicing, payroll, budget creation and budget management.

• Promote and administer scholarship program in collaboration with the scholarship committee.

• Market the school within the church and in the larger community.

• Work collaboratively with the staff of First Presbyterian Church, seeking ways to integrate the school into the larger church community through performances and participation in worship.

Provide Administrative Support for Worship and the Arts

• Assist the Director of Worship, The Arts, and Organist with the organization and promotion of Concerts@First concert series.

• Collaborate with the communications department to create an engaging web presence, including maintenance of church web pages and creation and scheduling of compelling content across platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X) to connect with the congregation and broader community.

• Work and the communications and AV teams to support and enhance broadcast quality and in-person experience of worship services.

Primary Skills and Qualifications:

· Musical excellence, including expertise in the singer-songwriter genre.

• Able to sing expressively while simultaneously playing an instrument (preferably piano), providing leadership in worship through vocal and instrumental contributions.

• Able to play skillfully from lead sheets incorporating improvisation, demonstrating flexibility and musicality in live worship settings.

• Proficient in arranging musical charts for various instruments and vocalists, adapting contemporary worship songs to suit our congregations’ needs.

• Collaborative Spirit: Able to work effectively in a team, especially in creative worship planning.

• Leadership: Experienced in leading and rehearsing musicians, including volunteers and professionals.

• Communication & Social Media Expertise: Strong written and visual communication skills, with experience in managing social media accounts and crafting marketing strategies.

• Technology Savvy: Familiar with AV systems, digital media, and online worship platforms.

• Organizational Skills: Able to balance multiple responsibilities with attention to detail and efficiency.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Music, Worship Arts, Communications, or a related field (preferred).

Previous experience in church music leadership.

Knowledge of the Presbyterian liturgical tradition (or similar liturgical background) is a plus.

Or email tbara@firstpresatl.org