What are the responsibilities and job description for the Church Organist position at Saron Lutheran Church?
Definition and Expectations of position:
The organist’s primary function is to ensure the flow of the worship service through the provision of musical accompaniment (organ/piano/keyboard) for the worship ministry of Saron Lutheran
Church.
Accountability:
The organist will be accountable to the Pastor and to the congregation council.
An annual review will be conducted by the Personnel/Mutual Ministry Committee (or in its
Absence, the Executive Committee) along with the Pastor.
Continuing Education:
The organist may request compensation for continuing education classes that enhance job performance. Requests are made to the congregation council prior to enrollment. Additional training may be required for the position.
DUTIES
Play weekly for the primary worship services (Sunday), including prelude and postlude unless
A particular service calls for none; check in with pastor prior to worship for any last minute
Instructions
Play for primary mid-week services, such as Ash Wednesday, Maundry Thursday, Good
Friday, Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, as scheduled.
Play for primary church festivals (Easter and Christmas Eve)
Find substitute for those services not available to play and provide necessary information for a
Substitute’s preparation
Notify pastor/choir director and church office of planned absence, giving two weeks notice
Assess availability, encourage and utilize others, especially youth, to offer their gifts of music
Work with pastor/choir director in planning, as requested
Practice for/play with the choir for the choir’s anthem on a weekly basis for Sunday worship
Assist in teaching congregation new liturgies/songs
Right of first refusal for weddings at Saron
If playing for a wedding:
Attend formal rehearsals
Work with wedding couples, with attention given to Saron’s wedding policy
Right of first refusal for funerals
Maintain instruments (make arrangements for tuning of piano and organ)
COMPENSATION
- Total salary divided into semi-monthly payments
- Gratuity from weddings paid by the wedding party, with attention given to Saron’s
wedding policy
- Gratuity for funerals paid by the funeral home/family
PAID VACATION
2 paid vacation days per year. The following days are not available for scheduled
absences:
Easter and Christmas Eve
Additional time requested and granted will be taken without pay
Vacation days earned may be held over until the following year, provided a request to do
so is made to the Congregation Council by its December meeting in the year in which
those days have been earned
ANNUAL REVIEW
A job and compensation review is planned annually in the fall of the year
Pay: $12,000.00 - $14,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $12,000 - $14,000