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Director of Contemporary Worship

Rockford, IL

https://firstfreerockford.org/

OUR STORY

First Free Rockford is a multi-generational Christian church in Rockford, Illinois. We’ve been around since 1884, through most of our city’s history.

Our Mission: To bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Vision: To see all generations go, tell, and show the love of God in the city of Rockford and around the world.

First Free Rockford’s culture is shaped by growing relationships with God as we worship together, grow together and serve together. We offer five different Sunday worship venues with various musical styles. Through Life Groups and other small communities for all ages, we deepen relationships with God and friendships with each other. We give and serve together generously, partnering with dozens of missionaries and nonprofit organizations serving Rockford and in various locations around the world.

First Free Rockford is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), an association of autonomous churches united around ten theological convictions that form the basis of what we believe.

We are a congregational form of governance that is staff-led, elder-supported, congregation-fulfilled. We have both shepherding elders as well as an executive leadership board that along with the Senior Leadership Team (Lead Pastor, Executive Minister, and Associate Pastor) that set the vision and direction of the church.

To learn more, visit: https://firstfreerockford.org/about/beliefs/

WELCOME TO FIRST FREE ROCKFORD

LEADERSHIP

Luke Uran is the Lead Pastor of First Free Rockford. He has been on staff for nearly 13 years and in the Lead Pastor role for 7 years thus far. Luke studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and has a deep love for the city of Rockford and greater Chicagoland. Born in St. Cloud, MN, he is a midwesterner through and through. Luke is a friendly, kind, and calm pastor with a sense of humor to bat. He, his wife and daughter love being an integral part of God's work at First Free.

When it comes to his leadership style, Luke writes,

I do not believe in micro-managing those that are on the team here at First Free. I prefer to have someone who is a self-starter and someone that can run with a vision that has been cast. As it pertains to the leadership of the Worship Directors (both Classic and Contemporary), I have not been one who picks songs, team members, etc. I leave that to the individual. However, if there are times that I need to step in and give input I want it to be a collaborative effort.



WORSHIP + MINISTRY CULTURE

First Free Rockford is primed and positioned for the next Director of Contemporary Worship to join their fantastic team and the work God is doing here. First Free has always had a passion for being a positive influence in the community. One of the ways they accomplish this is by streaming their Sunday morning service sermons and providing live worship at a couple venues within Rockford.

For a full description of this creative missional offering, please visit: https://firstfreerockford.org/worship/

This position will oversee, schedule, choose music, lead worship and bring creative input toward the Contemporary Service at their main campus for the 10:30am service. They will also be responsible to make sure the worship service at the Rescue Mission is covered with a leader on guitar or keys leading live worship while the message is simulcast.

The Contemporary service team currently rehearses on Thursday nights from 6-7:30pm. The new leader will be joined by a team of wonderful musicians who are committed and sold out to the mission of bringing people the good news of Jesus. As is true of most teams coming out of the pandemic, there is a great opportunity to continue building the bench of leaders and seeking out the talent that sits quietly in the seats.

This person will join a ministry team with some phenomenal and deeply committed people. While the Director of Classic Worship (Renee Cooper) oversees, leads and runs worship each week for the Classic service at 8:30am (while also coordinating worship leadership at the Fairhaven venue), these two positions will spend a great deal of time in collaboration and creative ideation for a handful of services each year when everyone worships together.

The former Director of Contemporary Worship was beloved and did a phenomenal job of bridging between the two service expressions through his openness to connect, ministry of presence (being around and available), and sharing the platform with the Classic service leader from time to time. The next Director of Contemporary Worship will thrive if they are able to value church's unified efforts in reaching people with the love of Jesus through different worship expressions and venues.

In addition, a huge asset for this person's role will be the ability to continue drawing a pipeline from the student ministry musical talent to the "big stage." It will benefit not only the church and youth ministry, but the church as a whole to appreciate, integrate and have a touchpoint with worship in student ministries.


LOCATION

For countless reasons, Rockford is a hidden gem of a city to live! Often called "a big little city," Rockford provides the amenities of a big city, along with a beautiful riverwalk, outdoor activities and the ability to be known and get around town easily. Rockford is located 90 minutes from Madison, 110 minutes from Milwaukee, 45 minutes from Lake Geneva, and 75 minutes from downtown Chicago.

As of the 2020 Census, Rockford has a population of 148,655. The median home price is $136,453, making this beautiful city with water and events and a welcoming community an incredible place to build home equity. There are great public and private schools in the area should parents choose schooling outside of the home as well.

For these and so many reasons, Rockford can't be beat.


POSITION PROFILE

Director of Contemporary Worship Ministries


​JOB CLASSIFICATION:  Full Time; Salaried

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: 

Salaried compensation determined based on fit and experience. Family health insurance offered through a national carrier, with access to dental coverage as well. Retirement account eligibility, as well as other benefits such as paid time off.

Category: Ministry Staff

Department: Worship Ministries

Reports to: Lead Pastor

FLSA Status: Exempt

PURPOSE

The position of Director of Contemporary Worship Ministries exists to oversee and coordinate the music ministries of the Contemporary services.


AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY include the following:

  • Oversee the worship arts of the contemporary services, including music selection, personnel development, artistic expressions, etc.
  • Oversee the planning and programming of (along with the Senior Pastor) the weekly contemporary worship services.
  • Plan and direct other special and outreach events as assigned. (Excluding Summerwood)
  • Recruit and train band members (both musically and spiritually).
  • Oversee the rehearsing of all bands for the weekly contemporary services.
  • Oversee the media/ technical area of the contemporary services.
  • Coordinate related worship ministries for small groups associated with the contemporary services.
  • Oversee the financial budgeting and expenses of the Contemporary Worship Ministries.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


  • ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
  • This position is accountable to the Senior Pastor or his designee.
  • The following positions are accountable to the Director of Contemporary Worship:
  • The Media Ministries Coordinator

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

  • Undergraduate degree preferred.
  • A skilled musician/vocalist (needs to demonstrate competency leading from guitar or keys).
  • Some demonstrated experience in programming Ableton.
  • Experience in designing and leading worship.
  • Ability to lead a team of people both spiritually and with task completion.
  • Formal Biblical training a plus.

CONTACT

To find out more about First Free Rockford Church, please check out their website at https://firstfreerockford.org/ and learn more about their beliefs, vision, and values and the many other ministries of the church.

If, after a thorough and prayerful look at this profile, you sense that this would be a good fit for you, please contact Becky Ykema.

email: [email protected]