Worship Director Faith Manhattan Church

Manhattan Christian College; Manhattan (KS); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Faith Manhattan Church in Manhattan, Kansas, is seeking a Worship Director to provide spiritual and practical leadership for the worship ministry. You will plan Scripture-centered services, develop worship and AVL volunteers, and cultivate an environment where the room is the choir.

This full-time role emphasizes shepherding, teamwork, and congregational participation. The ideal candidate balances spiritual leadership with technical responsibilities, works with the Lead Pastor, and serves a

Qualifications

• Three to five years of worship leadership in a local church.
• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Theological education, ministry training, or comparable development is valued.
• Seminary education, formal ministry licensure, and pastoral ordination are not required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead Sunday worship services in the Worship Center and The Venue.
• Collaborate with the Lead Pastor to develop Scripture-centered services.
• Select songs, readings, prayers, and other elements to support the sermon and theme.
• Organize service plans, rehearsals, volunteer schedules, and special worship gatherings.
• Recruit, train, disciple, and empower worship and AVL volunteers.
• Cultivate a humble, collaborative team culture with shared leadership.
• Oversee worship technology, including audio, video, lighting, equipment, and production systems.
• Manage the worship ministry budget with executive leadership.
• Coordinate worship plans with staff and ministry leaders.
• Provide pastoral care and spiritual encouragement to volunteers and the congregation.

Skills

Musical leadership

Guitar/keys

Song arrangement

Worship blending

Volunteer development

Team collaboration

AV tech know-how

Backing tracks use

Organizational skills

Spiritual leadership & pastoral care

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Theological education or ministry training valued

Seminary/licensure not required

Tools

Worship technology

Planning Center

Job description

Job Description

Faith Manhattan Church is seeking a Worship Director. The Worship Director is a vital member of Faith's leadership team, providing spiritual, creative, and practical direction for the church's worship ministry. This full-time leader will plan Scripture-centered services, develop worship and AVL volunteers, and cultivate an environment where "the room is the choir." More than a skilled musician or performer, the ideal candidate will be a humble shepherd and team builder who is passionate about helping the congregation grow in spiritual depth and respond to God together.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead Sunday worship services in the Worship Center and The Venue.
• Collaborate with the Lead Pastor to develop cohesive, Scripture-centered services.
• Select songs, readings, prayers, and other elements that support the sermon and service theme.
• Organize service plans, rehearsals, volunteer schedules, and special worship gatherings through Planning Center.
• Recruit, train, disciple, and encourage worship and AVL volunteers.
• Cultivate a humble, collaborative team culture built around shared leadership.
• Oversee worship technology, including audio, video, lighting, equipment, and production systems.
• Manage the worship and AVL ministry budget in partnership with executive leadership.
• Coordinate worship plans and service elements with staff and ministry leaders.
• Provide pastoral care and spiritual encouragement to volunteers and the congregation.
• Assist with additional pastoral or organizational responsibilities based on the candidate's gifts and the church's needs.

What You Bring

The Worship Director will provide spiritual and practical leadership for Faith's worship ministry by planning Word-centered services, developing worship and technical volunteers, and overseeing AVL systems. As a shepherd and team builder, this leader will prioritize congregational participation, shared leadership, and worship experiences that keep the focus on God.

Education and Experience

• Three to five years of demonstrated worship leadership experience within a local church.
• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Theological education, ministry training, or comparable development is valued.
• Seminary education, formal ministry licensure, and pastoral ordination are not required.
• Necessary education and experience could qualify the title of "Pastor" for this role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong musical and vocal leadership abilities.
• Ability to lead primarily from guitar or keys is preferred.
• Ability to choose and arrange songs in accessible keys that promote congregational singing.
• Experience thoughtfully blending modern worship songs, classic hymns, Scripture, prayer, and liturgical elements.
• Ability to recruit, train, mentor, disciple, and empower volunteers.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach to ministry and service planning.
• Working knowledge of worship-related audio, video, lighting, and presentation systems.
• Experience using clicks and digital backing tracks as supportive, non-intrusive tools.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relational skills.
• Ability to balance spiritual leadership with the practical and technical responsibilities of worship ministry.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• A spiritually mature follower of Jesus with a growing personal faith.
• A humble, authentic, and relational shepherd who places ministry above performance.
• Passionate about helping people encounter God and grow as disciples of Jesus.
• Committed to developing others and sharing ministry leadership.
• Collaborative, teachable, dependable, and comfortable receiving feedback.
• Possesses a high view of Scripture and strong alignment with the EFCA Statement of Faith.
• Affirms the church's theological convictions, including its traditional understanding of marriage and sexuality.
• Comfortable serving within a culture of Christian freedom and grace.
• Able to hold firmly to essential biblical truths while extending humility and charity in secondary theological matters.
• Measures success through congregational engagement, spiritual growth, and the health of the worship ministry team.

Meet Faith Manhattan Church

Faith Manhattan Church began in 1986 when 12 people gathered for a home Bible study with a shared desire to establish a gospel-centered church in Manhattan, Kansas. The church held its first public service in January 1987 and has faithfully served the community for nearly four decades.

Located in the scenic Flint Hills, Manhattan, affectionately known as "The Little Apple", is a vibrant Midwestern community shaped by Kansas State University and nearby Fort Riley. Faith Manhattan Church serves a diverse and continually changing population of college students, military families, young professionals, longtime residents, and growing families.

The church exists to make disciples of Jesus who love God, one another, and their neighbors. As an autonomous member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, Faith Manhattan Church is firmly grounded in Scripture, centered on the gospel, and committed to extending grace and Christian freedom in secondary matters.

Today, more than 1,000 people gather each week across three Sunday services and an acoustic worship environment known as The Venue. The church offers thriving NextGen ministries, meaningful discipleship and outreach opportunities, and a strong network of Care and Recovery ministries that provide compassionate, Christ-centered support through every season of life.

Faith's worship philosophy is captured in the phrase "the room is the choir." Services prioritize congregational participation through modern worship songs, reimagined hymns, Scripture readings, and intentional moments of reflection. Worship is collaborative and centered on helping the entire church family respond to God together.

What it's like to live in Manhattan, Kansas

Affectionately known as the "Little Apple," Manhattan offers the energy and amenities of a vibrant college town with the warmth and relaxed pace of a close-knit Midwestern community. Home to Kansas State University and located near Fort Riley, the area brings together college students, military personnel, young families, professionals, and retirees from a variety of backgrounds.

Nestled in the scenic Flint Hills, Manhattan features four distinct seasons, beautiful trails, outdoor recreation, local restaurants, coffee shops, Big 12 sports, strong schools, and excellent community programs. With its natural beauty, family-friendly atmosphere, and genuine sense of connection, Manhattan offers the best of both small-town living and an active, growing community.