Arbor Church

Pastor of Worship and Student Ministries

Full-Time · $70,000-80,000

ROLE SUMMARY The Pastor of Worship & Student Ministries at Arbor Church is a spiritual leader who cultivates space for our community to encounter God through worship that is formational, participatory, and grounded in the beauty and truth of the gospel. This role combines pastoral presence, creative direction, team development, and technical oversight with intentional investment in the next generation. This person leads not only songs, but souls — developing teams, discipling volunteers, and carrying a burden for the spiritual depth of our Sunday gatherings. They will play a key role in cultivating a creative and collaborative culture, inviting others to contribute their artistic and spiritual gifts to the worshiping life of Arbor. In addition to leading worship, this person will serve as the primary shepherd of Arbor’s student ministry, walking alongside middle and high school students during some of the most formative years of their lives. This means building a place where students are known, challenged to grow, and surrounded by adults who care deeply about their faith formation. The person will invest relationally in students and families, develop a volunteer team that shares the work of discipleship, and create consistent rhythms of teaching, community, and shared experiences that help students anchor their identity in Christ. WORSHIP & TECH RESPONSIBILITIES (~60%) Spiritual Leadership - Provide clear spiritual leadership during worship services through spoken reflections, scripture readings, prayers, and moments of reflection that draw people toward God. - Disciple and care for the worship and tech teams, fostering spiritual growth, relational depth, and joyful service. - Cultivate worship throughout the life of the church beyond Sundays, including seasonal gatherings, creative projects, and contemplative practices. - Cast vision for the worship ministry and multiply volunteer teams across worship and tech. - Foster an environment where creativity and collaboration are welcomed and nurtured within the worship community. Worship Leadership - Serve as the primary worship leader during weekend services. - Help craft the flow and direction of worship experiences, utilizing known songs as well as introducing new and creative ideas. - Select songs that align with Arbor’s theology, spiritual tone, and cultural context. - Lead weekly rehearsals that are spiritually rooted, musically prepared, and relationally life-giving. - Identify and mentor new worship leaders and musicians within the congregation. - Collaborate with the Lead Pastor to create worship experiences that are spiritually rich, emotionally honest, and thoughtfully constructed. Creative Direction & Production Oversight - Oversee all technical and creative elements of Sunday services: - Audio engineering and mixing - Livestream and video capture - ProPresenter / media - Lighting and visual design - Oversee planning and execution of holiday services (Christmas Eve, Easter), including forecasting, brainstorming, and creative planning. - Work with staff and volunteers to design meaningful environments, sets, slides, and media that support the worship experience. - Encourage and empower creative expression beyond music — welcoming contributions from artists, photographers, writers, and storytellers. Administrative & Organizational Responsibilities - Maintain Planning Center for service planning, volunteer scheduling, and data entry. - Schedule volunteers across worship and tech teams on a consistent and proactive basis. - Ensure all tech systems and equipment are maintained, organized, and fully functional. - Manage annual budgets related to worship and tech. - Coordinate with other staff to ensure Sunday mornings are thoughtfully executed and aligned with Arbor’s broader ministry goals. STUDENT MINISTRY RESPONSIBILITIES (~40%) Weekly Programming & Teaching - Plan, coordinate, and lead weekly student ministry programming for middle school (6th–8th grade) and high school (9th–12th grade) students. - Develop and deliver age-appropriate teaching rooted in Scripture, relevant to student life, and consistent with Arbor’s theological commitments. - Create environments that are welcoming, engaging, and conducive to honest conversation and spiritual growth. Small Group Leadership & Oversight - Build and maintain a small group structure that fosters relational depth and discipleship among students. - Recruit, train, and support adult small group leaders who invest relationally in students. - Ensure that every student has meaningful connection points within the ministry. Volunteer Team Development - Cast vision for student ministry and recruit, develop, and shepherd a team of adult volunteers who share a passion for the next generation. - Provide regular training, encouragement, and spiritual care for volunteer leaders. - Create clear pathways for volunteer involvement and leadership development. Pastoral Care & Family Engagement - Build authentic relationships with students and their families, serving as a trusted pastoral presence. - Provide appropriate pastoral care and follow-up for students navigating personal, relational, or spiritual challenges. - Maintain regular communication with parents through parent nights, updates, and accessible availability. - Partner with parents as the primary disciplers of their children, equipping them with tools and encouragement for faith conversations at home. Events & Retreats - Plan and execute one annual camp or retreat for students. - Coordinate parent nights and special events throughout the year that strengthen the student ministry community. - Partner with the broader church calendar to integrate student ministry into the life of Arbor. QUALIFICATIONS Preferred - Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or 2–3 years of equivalent ministry experience. - Demonstrated experience in worship leadership, including musical proficiency and team development. - Experience in student ministry or a demonstrated passion for investing in the next generation. - Familiarity with audio/visual production, Planning Center, and ProPresenter. - Alignment with Arbor Church’s doctrinal statement and egalitarian ministry stance. Personal Characteristics - A growing, Christ-centered faith marked by humility, integrity, and a teachable spirit. - Pastoral instincts — someone who genuinely cares for people and leads with relational warmth. - Creative vision combined with organizational follow-through. - Ability to lead across generational lines, from youth to adult volunteers. - Collaborative spirit — thrives on a team and welcomes diverse contributions. POSITION DETAILS - Work Days: Sunday–Thursday, with occasional evenings and weekends - Competitive PTO Plan - Medical, Dental, Vision - Simple IRA contribution opportunity, up to 3% matching after 1 year - Cell phone stipend - Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. - Pay range: $70,000-80,000 DOE