Worship Pastor

Baptist Search Partners is excitede to partner with Sweetwater Baptist Church in North Augusta, SC to find their next Worship Pastor.

About the Vision

Sweetwater Baptist Church is a local church with a global mission to share the gospel in everything they do. The Worship Pastor plays an instrumental role in exalting the name of Jesus Christ through individual and corporate worship. As the leader of the worship ministry, he serves alongside the senior pastor and the rest of the team as a shepherd to the congregation.

The Worship Pastor provides vision, leadership, and oversight for the worship ministry of the church. He is responsible for leading the church in worship and developing the music ministry, including the worship choir, instrumentalists, children’s choir, and the audio and visual teams. Sweetwater is committed to excellence in everything, and the role requires a high musical IQ, but the next Worship Pastor prioritizes genuine worship over perfection on Sunday morning.

About the Church

Describe Sweetwater Baptist Church was founded in 1832 and their mission is to exalt the name of Jesus through individual and corporate worship. With an average combined worship attendance of over 400 in two worship services. There are ministries for all ages and with a membership woven into the fabric of the community, the church is poised to continue making a gospel impact for generations.

Over the last 20 years the church has grown significantly to a congregation of over 400 in worship a week. Dr. Paul Noe has been their pastor since 2005. Dr. Noe leads a team of faithful and mature staff members that have incredible relationships with the members. The pastor, staff, and the members of the church are committed to reaching their growing city with the gospel.

Sweetwater Baptist Church is blessed with an incredible campus and facilities, including a new sanctuary that seats 600 and was completed in 2019. This newest building is equipped Sunday school space, younger children’s space, and a new choir room that mirrors the same size and layout of the loft in the sanctuary. In addition to the newest building, the church has recently begun the process of building new administrative space and are working through plans to remodel and upgrade the old sanctuary for the growing student ministry.

Sweetwater has two identical morning worship services at 8:30am and 11:00am with Sunday school meeting in between them at 9:45am. Worship at Sweetwater is genuine in heart and blended in style.

About the Opportunity

A Morse detailed job description will be provided during the interview process.

The Worship Pastor works closely with the Senior Pastor to coordinate planning and leading biblically grounded, Christ-centered worship services that support the church’s mission and theological convictions.

Primary responsibilities

Worship Leadership

• Plan and lead weekly worship services in collaboration with the Senior Pastor.
• Select songs, readings, prayers, and other worship elements that reinforce the sermon and church calendar.
• Lead worship vocally and/or instrumentally.
• Develop worship services for holidays and special events.
• Ensure worship services are biblically faithful, engaging, and striving for excellence.
• Balance musical styles (traditional/contemporary) as appropriate for services.

Worship Team Development

• Recruit, train, schedule, and shepherd volunteer musicians and vocalists.
• Lead in the planning and promoting of a graded choir program. Oversee lay choir directors that are responsible for senior adults, youth, children, etc.
• Mentor assistant worship leaders and future leaders.
• Conduct weekly rehearsals.
• Foster spiritual growth among worship team members.
• Build a healthy, servant-minded ministry culture.

Pastoral Ministry

• Provide pastoral care for worship ministry volunteers.
• Participate in weddings, funerals, and special services.
• Teach or preach occasionally as requested.
• Assist with church-wide leadership initiatives.

Creative Planning

• Collaborate with the Senior Pastor on sermon series planning.
• Coordinate creative elements such as testimonies, videos, Scripture readings, and dramatic presentations.
• Work with communications staff to ensure consistent branding and messaging.

Production and Technology

• Oversee audio, video, lighting, livestream, and presentation ministries.
• Ensure that worship slides are inputted in the computer each week for the worship services.
• Supervise technical staff and volunteers.
• Ensure worship technology is maintained and upgraded as needed.
• Coordinate livestream and online worship experiences.
• Manage worship planning software and media resources.

Administration

• Develop and manage the annual worship ministry budget.
• Oversee licensing and copyright compliance.
• Maintain music libraries and equipment inventories.
• Evaluate worship ministry effectiveness.
• Coordinate vendor relationships for musical equipment and technology.

About the Community

North Augusta, SC is a fast-growing city of 25,000 people that has maintained its charm and small-town feel amidst rapid growth over the last 10 years. The population of North Augusta has almost doubled since 2000 and is continuing to grow at a rapid pace. The city is situated on the bank of the Savannah River directly across from August, GA and offers access to world class health care and highly rated school districts in both Aiken and Edgefield Counties.

The North Augusta corridor provides a family-oriented atmosphere with low crime, large neighborhoods, outdoor recreation along the river, a 12-mile North Augusta Greeneway for walking and biking, walkable dining, shops and a host of annual community events. The region also hosts professional sports like the GreenJackets minor league baseball team and The Master’s golf tournament.

Like much of South Carolina the area is growing fast and provides an incredible opportunity for family life, but more than that it represents a strategic opportunity for reaching others with the gospel.

Sweetwater Baptist Church has hired Baptist Search Partners to conduct this search on their behalf.