Associate Pastor of Worship and Discipleship Full Time

Associate Pastor of Worship and Discipleship
 
RiverWind Church | Newburgh, Indiana

Reports to: Senior Pastor (in collaboration with the Elder Body)

Status: Full-time (exempt)
 
Compensation: Competitive salary + retirement benefits
 
Position Summary
The Associate Pastor of Worship and Discipleship serves as a staff elder who leads the church’s corporate worship ministry while providing pastoral care, discipleship leadership, and occasional preaching. This role integrates theologically faithful worship planning and execution with the shepherding, equipping, and counseling work of the church. The Associate Pastor partners with the Senior Pastor and elders to advance the church’s mission of making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ.
 
Primary Responsibilities
Worship Leadership (approx. 12–18 hours/week)

• Plan and lead theologically sound, gospel-centered corporate worship on Sunday mornings in alignment with the Senior Pastor’s sermon series and the church’s confessional commitments.
• Select songs that are biblically rich, congregationally accessible, and appropriate to the liturgical flow of the service.
• Direct Wednesday evening praise team rehearsals; recruit, train, and shepherd volunteer musicians and vocalists.
• Oversee the tech team (sound, projection, streaming, lighting as applicable); ensure systems are properly configured, maintained, and up to date.
• Maintain compliance with CCLI licensing requirements and related copyright obligations.
• Foster a worship culture that prioritizes the Word, the gospel, and congregational participation.

Discipleship and Small Groups

• Provide strategic leadership for the church’s small-group and discipleship ministry (structure, curriculum direction, leader training, and ongoing support).
• Equip and coach group leaders; help groups remain Word-centered and relationally healthy.
• Collaborate with the Senior Pastor and elders on overall discipleship pathways and spiritual formation initiatives.

Pastoral Care and Biblical Counseling

• Offer biblical counseling according to a Scripture-based, nouthetic/biblical counseling model.
  Provide pastoral care to members and regular attenders as assigned or needed (hospital visits, crisis support, follow-up, etc.).
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and refer when situations exceed the scope of church counseling.

Preaching and Teaching

• Preach occasionally (typically several times per year or as scheduled by the elders) in a manner consistent with the church’s theological commitments and preaching philosophy.
• Assist with other teaching opportunities (classes, workshops, or special events) as needed.

Elder and Staff Leadership

• Serve as a staff elder, participating fully in elder meetings, decision-making, and the shared oversight of the flock.
• Model personal holiness, humility, doctrinal fidelity, and relational health for the congregation and staff.
• Collaborate with the senior pastor and the board of elders to help discern God’s direction for ministry and evaluate the health of the church.

 Qualifications

• Clear evidence of a mature Christian walk, gospel-centered character, and the biblical qualifications for an elder (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1).
• Affirmation of the church’s confessional standards (or a willingness to affirm them) and commitment to a Baptist understanding of Scripture, worship, and the ordinances.
• Proven ability to lead corporate worship with musical competence (or the capacity to direct those who have it) and theological discernment in song selection.
• Experience or demonstrated aptitude in discipleship leadership, small-group ministry, and biblical counseling.
• Ability to preach expositionally and pastorally.
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional maturity, and a collaborative spirit.
• Experienced in using ProPresenter and church management software (ie. Planning Center or Subsplash)
• Formal theological education (seminary degree or equivalent) preferred but not required if other qualifications and experience are strong.
• Commitment to the local church and willingness to become a member and be ordained/installed as an elder if not already.

Working Conditions and Expectations

This is a full-time position involving Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, occasional evenings/weekends for pastoral care or events, and regular elder and staff meetings. The role requires flexibility, initiative, and a shepherd’s heart.