The Worship Pastor will lead and develop the church’s worship ministry, with special emphasis on choir direction as an integral part of the church’s worship voice. This person serves as both a spiritual shepherd and a musical guide, nurturing the growth of worship team members in both areas. Through thoughtful leadership, they focus on creating meaningful worship experiences that engage and connect with people at all stages of their faith journey and utilize blended congregational worship incorporating both contemporary elements and hymns arranged in a modern style.

A great match for this position would be:

• Strong Vocal Leadership: This person should demonstrate the ability to effectively lead congregational worship with a skilled and confident singing voice.
• Versatile Worship Planning: The Worship Pastor should be capable of crafting blended worship services that thoughtfully incorporate both contemporary elements and traditional hymns, showing sensitivity to the church’s desire for progressive yet rooted worship experiences.
• Experienced Choir Director: The new hire should bring substantial choral conducting expertise and a thorough knowledge of modern choral repertoire to lead their established 60+ member choir with excellence.
• Collaborative Team Player: The successful person will exhibit a positive, joy-filled approach to ministry while working well within the existing staff culture. They should be comfortable building authentic relationships with fellow staff members.
• Pastoral Heart: The Worship Pastor should demonstrate genuine care for congregation members beyond musical leadership, showing the ability to minister to people’s spiritual needs and build meaningful connections within the church family.

About This Organization

First Baptist Church of Mount Dora is a diverse Southern Baptist congregation in the heart of Mount Dora, Florida, a top-ranked small town known for its retirement community. The church averages over 500 weekly worship attendees, with members representing more than 15 countries. Their vibrant worship ministry features a choir of 60-70 members and an uncommonly high number of skilled soloists and instrumentalists. The church has placed renewed emphasis on reaching younger generations through its thriving student and kids ministry programs.

The church’s campus, located at its current site since 1970, features a sanctuary dedicated in 1990, comprehensive LIFE Group facilities, and a Family Ministry Center completed in 2005. Under the current leadership of Dr. Thomas Jamieson, First Baptist continues to build upon its established presence in the Mount Dora community while adapting to serve future generations.

About Location

“Mount Dora is one of the most amazing places to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. It is beautiful and diverse, and you never know what to expect. It is a place where God does the unusual. It is a place where you see the Lord Jesus move in unexpected and miraculous ways. It is a place where you see the Lord Jesus do miracles. It is important to remember that God has always chosen the out-of-the-way and unexpected place to change the world. We are touching the world from Mount Dora!”

Dr. Thomas Jamieson, Senior Pastor

Key Responsibilities

• Select and plan music for Sunday and mid-week services. Participate in the creative planning of the Sunday and special services with the Senior Pastor.
• Recruit, equip, motivate, supervise, and shepherd music and drama team leaders and musicians.
• Develop musical teams and ensembles for services.
• Direct the adult choir.
• Direct outreach events into the community via performances at other organizations as appropriate.
• Maintain a strong prayer base for the music ministry.
• Communicate faithfully with the Senior Pastor and staff.
• Participate in the life and ministry of the church.
• Provide ministry staff support to the Senior Pastor outside of the responsibilities of music ministry, including but not limited to hospital and shut-in visitation.
• Develop and expand the music ministry of the youth and children.
• Oversee sound and light technicians.
• Oversee social media and website platforms used by the church.

Key Qualifications

• Authentic relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
• Theology consistent with that of the church.
• Ability to shepherd volunteer musicians in the Christian life.
• Love and respect for people and the ability to communicate effectively with them.
• Attested musical skills and competence.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and motivate musicians and technical team members.
• Strong team player with the Senior Pastor and the rest of the staff and congregation.
• Committed to the church’s vision, leadership, and people.
• Dependable, responsible, self-motivated, and creative.
• Bachelors degree in Music or Theology (Masters preferred).
• Minimum five years experience in church related setting.

Other Competencies

• Ability in a wide range of styles, including Christian classics (hymns).
• Ability to lead worship and to train others as individual and team worship leaders.
• Professional quality keyboard (preferred) or guitar player.
• Producing and directing special events, musicals, and programs.
• Competency with ProPresenter and Planning Center.
• Technical skills in sound and lighting, for example, stage, choir, sanctuary sound mixing, soundboards, theater lights, video editing, etc.
• Competency with social media and website platforms.