We’re Hiring!

General Overview

This role is best suited for a musician, educator, and ministry leader who enjoys mentoring young people, building musical excellence, and helping children and youth grow in faith through worship and sacred music.

First Lutheran Church is seeking a gifted and energetic Director of Children and Youth Music to lead and grow a vibrant sacred music ministry for children and students in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls. This role is an opportunity to shape young musicians, cultivate lifelong faith through worship and music, and help children and youth participate meaningfully in the liturgical life of the church.

The Director of Children and Youth Music works closely with the Director of Music, pastoral staff, accompanists, volunteers, and families to develop and lead a comprehensive sacred music ministry for children and youth at First Lutheran Church.

Why This Role Matters

Music plays a central role in the worship and formation life of First Lutheran Church. Through choirs, handbells, worship leadership, and music education, children and youth are invited to grow in faith, develop their gifts, and participate actively in the life of the congregation.

The Director of Children and Youth Music helps shape the next generation of worshipers, church musicians, and disciples by creating meaningful musical experiences rooted in Christian community, liturgical worship, and artistic excellence.

First Lutheran Church has a long-standing commitment to sacred music and provides extensive resources to support children and youth music ministry, including graded choirs, handbell ensembles, accompanists, a dedicated piano lab, extensive music libraries, and a strong congregational culture of worship and music.

Primary Responsibilities

Children and Youth Music Leadership

● Lead and further develop a graded sacred music curriculum that forms children and youth musically, spiritually, and liturgically

● Plan and direct weekly rehearsals for children’s choirs, youth choirs, handbell ensembles, and the adult handbell choir

● Facilitate the First Lutheran Piano Lab into music education and curriculum development

● Select music and educational resources that support worship, spiritual formation, and musical growth

● Help cultivate joyful, engaging, and meaningful participation in sacred music among children and youth

Worship and Liturgical Planning

● Collaborate regularly with pastors, music staff, and worship leaders in planning music for worship services and church seasons

● Prepare vocal and handbell ensembles to participate regularly in worship

● Support worship experiences that are rooted in Lutheran liturgy and shaped by musical excellence

● Plan and coordinate annual choir tours, special music events, and seasonal worship opportunities

Recruitment and Relationship Building

● Recruit, encourage, and support children, youth, and families in participation within the music ministry

● Foster positive and meaningful relationships with students, parents, volunteers, accompanists, and church staff

● Help create a welcoming and encouraging environment where young musicians can grow in confidence, faith, and skill

● Engage with local and regional musical organizations to strengthen and promote children and youth music opportunities at First Lutheran Church

Administration and Collaboration

● Coordinate schedules, communication, and organizational needs for children and youth music ministries

● Work collaboratively with the Director of Music, pastoral staff, accompanists, and volunteers

● Manage music ministry resources and purchases within approved budget parameters

● Support the broader mission and ministry of the church through collaboration with staff and ministry leaders

● Complete other duties as assigned

First-Year Priorities

The Director of Children and Youth Music will work with the Director of Music and church staff to:

● Strengthen and grow participation in children and youth music ministries

● Foster strong relationships with students and families

● Continue building a culture of joyful and meaningful sacred music participation

● Support the musical and spiritual development of children and youth through worship leadership and music education

● Build upon the church’s strong tradition of sacred music while exploring opportunities for continued growth and engagement

Qualifications and Experience

● Mature Christian faith with appreciation for Lutheran theology, liturgy, and congregational worship

● Bachelor’s degree in music or related field preferred, with demonstrated competency in choral conducting and ensemble leadership

● Experience working with children and youth in music education, church music, or ensemble settings

● Familiarity with vocal pedagogy, handbell techniques, and sacred choral repertoire

● Strong relational and communication skills with the ability to connect well with children, youth, parents, volunteers, and staff

● Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a ministry team

● Organized, dependable, and capable of managing multiple responsibilities and rehearsals

● Comfortable using or learning technology platforms that support communication, scheduling, and ministry coordination

● Passion for helping young people grow in faith through worship and music

Church experience and an active Christian faith are strongly preferred.

Familiarity with Lutheran theology, polity, and the rhythms of congregational life is helpful, as the role works closely with pastoral leadership and supports the ministry of the church.

Ministry Resources and Support

First Lutheran Church is deeply committed to sacred music and provides significant resources to support children and youth music ministry, including:

● Established Ensembles

● Children’s Choir

● Youth Choir

● Middle School Bell Choir

● High School Bell Choir

● Adult Bell Choir

● Music and Educational Resources

● Extensive sacred music library with more than 2,000 choral, brass, and handbell arrangements

● Choir accompanists available for vocal ensembles

● Established graded music curriculum

● Instruments and Facilities

● Two sets of Schulmerich handbells (four and five octaves)

● Two sets of Malmark handchimes (three and four octaves)

● First Lutheran Piano Lab with eight Clavinova keyboards, Smart Board technology, and extensive teaching materials

● 56-rank, three-manual Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ

● Steinway grand piano

● Yamaha upright piano

Staff Culture

First Lutheran Church values a staff culture that is:

● Collaborative and team-oriented

● Gospel-centered and mission-driven

● Supportive of creativity and initiative

● Committed to excellence in worship and ministry

● Rooted in humility, encouragement, and service

Position Details

Reports to: Director of Music

Works closely with: Pastors, music staff, accompanists, Board of Worship and Music, volunteers, and congregation members

Position Type: Full-time, salaried

Compensation: $45,000 – $55,000 depending on experience

Benefits include:

• Health insurance

• 403(b) retirement plan

• Four weeks paid time off

• Continuing education opportunities

About First Lutheran Church

First Lutheran Church is a Christian congregation located in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a long tradition of worship, music, and Gospel-centered ministry. As a congregation in the Lutheran tradition, First Lutheran seeks to proclaim and propagate the Christian faith through worship, teaching, service, and community.

Persons employed at First Lutheran Church are expected to support the mission and ministry of the church and demonstrate a commitment to Christian service.

Employment at First Lutheran is on an “at-will” basis. First Lutheran Church is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications and the ability to perform the duties of the position

To apply, follow this link.

More Info

Contemporary Worship Music Coordinator

First Lutheran Church – Sioux Falls, SD

General Overview

This role is best suited for a musician and ministry leader who enjoys building teams, shaping meaningful worship experiences, and helping people engage deeply with the Gospel through music and liturgy.

First Lutheran Church is seeking a Contemporary Worship Music Coordinator to help lead engaging, Christ-centered worship in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls. This role will help shape and grow a blended worship culture that honors the richness of Lutheran liturgy while expanding contemporary expressions of worship through modern worship music, creative instrumentation, and congregational participation.

The Contemporary Worship Music Coordinator works closely with the pastoral staff, Director of Music, and worship volunteers to cultivate worship that is faithful, participatory, and spiritually meaningful.

Why This Role Matters

Worship is central to the life of First Lutheran Church. Through music, liturgy, Scripture, prayer, and congregational participation, worship forms faith and proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Contemporary Worship Music Coordinator plays an important role in helping our congregation encounter Christ through worship that is both rooted in Lutheran tradition and responsive to the gifts and opportunities of today’s church. This role helps create meaningful worship experiences while building and developing teams of musicians who serve the congregation with excellence, humility, and joy.

Primary Responsibilities

Worship Leadership

• Lead weekly worship services featuring both contemporary Christian music and traditional Lutheran hymnody and liturgy

• Help cultivate worship experiences that are Christ-centered, participatory, and engaging for the congregation

• Collaborate regularly with pastors and staff in planning weekly worship services

• Select and arrange music that aligns with Scripture readings, sermon themes, the church calendar, and the vision of the pastoral staff

• Help expand and diversify the musical expression of worship through bands, vocal ensembles, instrumental collaborations, and other creative formats

• Provide leadership for summer Worship in the Park services and other special worship opportunities

Music Team Development

• Build, recruit, develop, and lead teams of instrumentalists and vocalists for worship services

• Foster a collaborative and encouraging environment for musicians of varying skill levels

• Plan and lead weekly rehearsals for instrumentalists and vocalists

• Encourage excellence, spiritual growth, and meaningful participation among worship team members

Worship Planning and Administration

• Work closely with the Director of Music to ensure proper copyright licensing and music usage compliance

• Participate in worship planning discussions and ministry collaboration meetings

• Assist with annual budgeting related to worship ministry needs

• Support the broader mission and ministry of the church through collaboration with staff and ministry leaders

• Perform other duties as assigned

First-Year Priorities

The Contemporary Worship Music Coordinator will work with the pastoral staff and music ministry leaders to:

• Strengthen and grow the contemporary worship ministry

• Expand opportunities for instrumental and vocal participation in worship

• Build and develop a consistent team of worship volunteers and musicians

• Help broaden the stylistic range of worship while maintaining a strong Lutheran liturgical foundation

• Foster greater congregational engagement and participation in worship

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience leading contemporary Christian worship in a church setting

• Proficiency in keyboard and piano accompaniment

• Strong musical leadership skills with the ability to lead both vocally and instrumentally

• Appreciation for Lutheran theology, liturgy, and the role of worship in congregational life

• A heart for blended worship that values both contemporary worship music and historic Christian hymnody

• Ability to recruit, encourage, and develop volunteer musicians and vocalists

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate well with pastors, staff, volunteers, and congregation members

• Organized, dependable, and capable of managing weekly worship preparation responsibilities

• Prior church music ministry experience preferred

• Church experience and an active Christian faith are strongly preferred. Familiarity with Lutheran theology, polity, and the rhythms of congregational life is helpful, as the role works closely with pastoral leadership and supports the ministry of the church.

Staff Culture

First Lutheran Church values a staff culture that is:

• Collaborative and team-oriented

• Gospel-centered and mission-driven

• Supportive of creativity and initiative

• Committed to excellence in worship and ministry

• Rooted in humility, encouragement, and service

Position Details

• Reports to: Director of Music and Senior Pastor

• Works closely with: Pastoral staff, Board of Worship and Music Ministries, worship volunteers, and musicians

• Position Type: Part-time, hourly (12–15 hours per week)

• Compensation: $50 per hour

About First Lutheran Church

First Lutheran Church is a Christian congregation located in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a long tradition of worship, music, and Gospel-centered ministry. As a congregation in the Lutheran tradition, First Lutheran seeks to proclaim and propagate the Christian faith through worship, teaching, service, and community. Persons employed at First Lutheran Church are expected to support the mission and ministry of the church and demonstrate a commitment to Christian service.Employment at First Lutheran is on an “at-will” basis. First Lutheran Church is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications and the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Street Address: 327 S Dakota Ave.

Zip Code/Postal Code: 57104

Phone: 605-336-3734

To Apply, visit this link.

View More Info