photo credit: Len Levasseur

THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BOSTON

MINISTER OF MUSIC POSITION OVERVIEW

First Lutheran Church of Boston is seeking an accomplished minister of music to complement its ministry team in fulfilling its strategic vision of spreading the Gospel to the Greater Boston community.

First Lutheran Church of Boston (“FLC”) is a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (“LCMS”). FLC was established in 1839 in the city of Boston. Located since 1955 in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay, FLC consistently preaches the message of Christ crucified, risen and coming again.  FLC regularly has worship for up to 200 souls in two Sunday services and offers a complete schedule of festival services during the church year.

FLC is firmly grounded in and strives to excel in traditional Lutheran orthodoxy in message and worship.

FLC’s membership is diverse and includes many ethnicities, a wide range of ages (including many young families with children and students from the mix of colleges and universities within close proximity of FLC), and is drawn from communities throughout the Greater Boston area and beyond.

FLC features an internationally-renowned pipe organ, the Richards, Fowkes & Co., Opus X, a mechanical-action instrument in the 17th-century North German Baroque tradition. This superb instrument draws artists of international standing and organ aficionados from around the world. It is the only organ in Boston with an historically accurate sound for the works of J.S. Bach and other organ masterworks of the Baroque and earlier periods. Using recently-installed recording equipment, the instrument has been featured in numerous recordings and festivals, including the Boston Early Music Festival and the 2014 AGO National Convention. It has also been aired on American Public Media’s Pipedreams.

In the past ten years FLC has become a sought-after music venue in Boston, especially for early music ensembles. Also, in the past year, FLC has begun a series of Bach Vespers, and for the past eight years the congregation has observed the birthday of J. S. Bach with an all-day Boston Bach Birthday comprised of 12 consecutive concerts and presentations.

The successful applicant will be

• A devout Christian in good standing within his or her denomination – LCMS is preferred, but not required.
• A highly-skilled organist and choral leader, who is able to build on our church’s burgeoning reputation as a local, national, and international center for church music.
• One who possesses a ministerial heart and is recognized as a servant leader with a passion for ministry through music that elicits active congregational participation.
• One who is comfortable operating in a cross-functional team ministry model mixing professional and lay staff.
• One who demonstrates an ability and willingness to work effectively with musicians of all skill levels and actively participates in all aspects of congregational music and ministry.
• One with strong organizational skills, computer literacy, the ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, and flexibility in carrying out professional responsibilities.
• One with the ability to develop further the congregation’s strategic vision for music ministry, including fundraising.

Professional Qualifications:

• Master of Music degree or equivalent experience in playing historic keyboard instruments – preference to those holding a DMA degree or advanced experience in organ performance, other keyboard or conducting.
• A minimum of five years of experience leading a music ministry and choral conducting.
• A demonstrated knowledge of Lutheran musical heritage and theology, with proficiency in the German language preferred.
• Experience in historically-informed performance practices, improvisation, and period instruments.

Salary, Time Commitment and Reporting Structure:

Salary commensurate with AGO guidelines, experience and qualifications based on a 30-hour work week. Benefits include: medical insurance (currently fully paid), pension plan, retirement savings plan, life insurance, disability, and on-site parking.

Position reports to the Senior Pastor and works within the context of a team ministry that includes the lay leadership and Parish Administrator. A support committee of congregation members with a passion for music ministry will support, mentor and assist. Additionally, the congregation’s board of elders has oversight of all aspects of FLC’s ministry, including music.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:

• Carrying out duties in a professional manner in keeping with the standards and values of a Biblical, Confessional Lutheran congregation.  Specific responsibilities may be delegated to others as appropriate to encourage involvement and stewardship of the willing.
• Participate in the development, management, and execution of FLC’s Music Outreach Long-Range Plan; reporting annually to the congregation on same.
• In partnership with the Senior Pastor, select all music offerings for all services emphasizing Lutheran hymnody and accompanying the congregation in singing the liturgy and hymns during worship services.
• In cooperation with parents and other volunteers, plan and lead the musical components of Sunday School (including special events), Vacation Bible School, and other events involving children and youth.
• Responsibility for all aspects of choral offerings, including recruiting, encouraging and developing singers and instrumentalists from the congregation and the community, leading rehearsals and presentations, and when needed, arranging for substitutes.
• Responsibility for all financial aspects of music ministry, including budgeting and fundraising.
• Responsibility for the care and maintenance of musical instruments (organ, pianos, hand bells, carillon), music library, and choir robes.
• Managing FLC’s music website and Facebook page, including weekly uploading of music and worship content.
• Promoting FLC as a concert venue including the use and rental of the Richards, Fowkes & Co., Opus X organ and sanctuary by teachers, students, performers, and ensembles (e.g. ensembles-in-residence).

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please write an email to mom-applications@flc-boston.org  expressing your interest and to receive further instructions.

A PDF version of this announcement is available for download here;

FLC MOM Job Description 30NOV2015