Job Description

Arlington Heights United Methodist Church (4200 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107; www.ahumcfw.org) is seeking a Director of our Chancel Choir. AHUMC is a vibrant faith community in the heart of the cultural district of Fort Worth. Our Chancel Choir provides leadership for our traditional Sanctuary services (8:30 and 11:00 Sundays), special worship services, and secular music performances (i.e. Pops Concert, Dinner Theatre). Interested applicants should send resume and cover letter to Karen Van Eaton, SPR Chair by April 25, 2025: ahumc.job.openings@gmail.com.

Reports to: Senior Pastor

Hours: Flexible schedule includes: Weekly staff meeting on Tuesday mornings (10 - noon); choir rehearsal Wednesday evenings (7:00 - 8:30 p.m.); Sunday morning worship (Sanctuary worship at 8:30 and 11:00); special music events; all-church events. The Chancel Choir Director is responsible for managing additional time needed for preparation, which will vary week-to-week.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to walk up and down stairs

Salary Range: $23,400 - $27,500

Job Summary: 

The Chancel Choir Director serves as the Director of the Chancel Choir for Sunday morning worship and special events. They serve as a member of the AHUMC Program Staff, which occasionally involves attendance and participation in events that are not music-related. 

Core Duties:

• Plan anthem(s) for traditional worship each Sunday. 
• Serve as a spiritual leader for the Chancel Choir, encouraging an environment of care and spiritual fellowship
• Conduct choir rehearsals
• Recruit new members to help grow our choir
• Plan and coordinate special musical events:
• Special seasons/days of the church, i.e. Advent, Lent, All Saints
• “Fun” choir concerts, i.e. Dinner Theater, Patriotic Concert, Pops Concert
• Special Advent performance, i.e. Messiah
• Utilize extensive music library and borrow or purchase anthems, as needed
• Responsibly manage and spend Budget and Designated Music Funds 
• Budgeted amounts include: Guest Musicians: $8,000; Robe Cleaning: $500
• Designated funds include: Music Ministry Fund, Concert Fund, Guest Musician Fund
• Currently, $6841 is available in these funds (combined).
• Work with Choir Officers to plan events and provide broader leadership of the Chancel Choir.
• Work with other Music Department staff (Organist, Handbell Director, and Children’s Choir Director) to coordinate music performances at AHUMC
• Support musical events (other than Chancel Choir performances) at AHUMC, including attendance at events
• Interact with Communications Director to ensure that music events are promoted; work with program staff to ensure that hospitality is provided for music events at AHUMC
• Seek & encourage opportunities for the music ministries of AHUMC to represent the congregation by performing in the community
• Serve as a member of the AHUMC Program Staff:
• Participate in all-church events (i.e. Lord’s Acre, Chili Cook-off, Fellowship Meals, etc.)
• Attend Discipleship Council meetings as a staff member of the Council, including giving a report when requested

Core Competencies Required:

Personal Competencies:

Creativity and Innovation: Generates new ideas; makes new connections among existing ideas to create fresh approaches; takes acceptable risks in pursuit of innovation; learns from mistakes; has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work.

Ethics and Values: Honors the core values and beliefs of the church in his/her choice of behaviors; consistently embodies appropriate behavioral choices in both stressful and non stressful situations; practices the behaviors he/she advocates to others.

Influencing Others: Encourages others to cooperate, participate, provide resources or make decisions, in service to the work at hand; uses verbal and nonverbal skills to communicate respect for others, and to generate energy, passion and commitment to an idea; creates an environment that others want to participate in.

Verbal and Written Communication: Is able to deliver a message clearly, articulately and with appropriate emotion in a variety of settings; demonstrates communication styles appropriate to the situation at hand; adjusts the message, without losing the essence of the message, depending upon the circumstance and the listener; provides accurate and timely communication to convey details that need to be shared.

Interpersonal Skills: Establishes good working relationships with all others who are relevant to the completion of work; works well with people at all levels of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of his/her actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable; avoids communication triangles.

Organizational Competencies:

Team Orientation: demonstrates interest, skill and success in team environments; promotes group goals ahead of personal agendas; steps up to offer self as a resource to other members of the team; understands and supports the importance of teamwork; shares credit for success with others, takes responsibility for his or her part in team failures.

Project Management: Identifies the key objectives and scope of a proposed project; garners needed resources and project support, develops a realistic and thorough plan for achieving key objectives, keeps team members briefed on progress, implements action plans, communicates progress, identifies and resolves barriers and problems

Time Management: Effectively prioritizes tasks and responsibilities to maximize efficiency and meet deadlines; balances multiple projects while maintaining quality and attention to detail; anticipates potential scheduling conflicts and adjusts plans as needed; uses time wisely to ensure productivity and achieve goals.

Supervisory Competencies

Motivating Others: Creates a climate in which people want to do their best; can motivate employees, volunteers and members; empowers others; invites shared input and decision making; makes each individual feel that his/her work is important.

Team-building: Blends people into teams when appropriate; leads the team successfully through difficulties and challenges, including conflict, diversity and inclusion issues within the team; creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team; shares wins and successes; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging and pride in the team.

Hospitality/Accessibility: Generates a sense of hospitality and or accessibility by his or her very presence; communicates a sense of availability, warmth, openness and approachability; fosters natural connections between members of the congregation and with visitors; supports a culture of welcoming and connection in the life of the congregation. 

Pastoral/Program Competencies

Spiritual Leadership: Cultivates a supportive and caring community that nurtures spiritual growth and fellowship; leads with compassion, offering encouragement and pastoral care to individuals; fosters an environment where faith is expressed through music and relationships; recognizes and responds to the spiritual and emotional needs of others, offering guidance and support; collaborates with pastoral staff to ensure holistic care for the community.

Stewardship: Promotes stewardship as a principle that guides both individual and congregational life; encourages generosity in the sharing of time, talent and finances; promotes a culture of abundance; supports leadership in the development of a comprehensive stewardship program.

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