<p>Director of Worship Ministries</p> <p>Full-time position - Posted 3/14/25</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>John Brown University is seeking a Director of Worship Ministries to plan chapels, mentor a group of emerging student worship leaders out of their own musical and pastoral experience, and, most importantly, help disciple the broader student body. This full-time role provides a unique opportunity to shape the worship culture at JBU by overseeing student worship leaders who plan and lead chapel services three times a week and for a handful of orientation and university-related services. Beyond worship planning, this role is deeply relational, requiring a commitment to intentional discipleship through engagement in students' lives-whether over meals, at sporting events, or in one-on-one and small group settings. The Director will not only supervise student leaders but will also invest in their spiritual growth, helping to nurture a thriving, vibrant faith community and tending to the spiritual vitality across the entire JBU community.</p> <p>Position Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Supervise student worship leaders and worship bands: This includes holding 1:1 meeting with student leaders, guiding rehearsals, and shepherding bands. </li><li>Collaborate with faculty and leadership to design, lead, and evaluate weekly chapel services: Assist students in selecting songs, coordinating with other departments, and developing service themes to ensure meaningful and spiritually-enriching chapel experiences. </li><li>Oversee and administrate the Red Steps traveling band: Ensure the success of the band's eight annual performances, including planning, preparation, and execution of engagements. </li><li>Supervise the Sunday Night Gathering (6-10pm): Ensure meaningful worship experiences for students during most Sundays of the academic year. </li><li>Engage with student ministries on Thursday nights (6:30-10pm): This includes offering short-term Bible studies, leading group prayer, participating in student leadership meetings, and attending sporting or theatre events to foster community and pastoral care. </li><li>Optional teaching opportunities: Depending on qualifications and interest, the Director may teach up to a course per semester. This teaching role is negotiable. </li></ul> <p>For student ministries at JBU, we find ways to be in proximity with our student body. This means night and weekend work rhythms that balance the intensity of the academic semesters with the restorative pace of the summer months. As part of a close-knit team of staff and student spiritual leaders, the Director of Worship Ministries will join a community committed to seeking God together, praying for one another, and offering support when needed. This is a role that not only allows you to grow in the skills of pastoral ministry but also provides the opportunity to deepen your spiritual vitality and be a part of a collaborative, prayer-filled community of campus ministers.</p> <p>Essential Qualifications and Experience</p> <ul> <li>A Bachelor's degree in Christian Ministry, Worship Arts, Music or related field, including experience in leading various styles of worship. </li><li>Demonstrated success in discipleship, formation, and pastoral care of a diverse population of college-age students. </li><li>Evidence of strong administrative capabilities while also working in a position of spiritual leadership. </li><li>Evidence of ability to design and supervise in the production of worship (particularly contemporary worship). </li><li>A commitment to working with a diverse population of students. </li><li>Must be a committed follower of Jesus Christ. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications and Experience</p> <ul> <li>Previous experience interacting with communities of various racial and ethnic backgrounds and mentoring both young men and women. </li><li>A Master's or Doctoral degree in Christian Ministry, Worship Arts, Music or related field, including experience in leading worship. </li><li>A commitment to teaching and the integration of faith and learning. </li><li>A clear knowledge base of Christian theology and worship practices including-but not limited to-music spanning across cultures and across church history. </li></ul> <p>A strong candidate will have a passion for worship leadership and student ministry, whether as an early-career professional, someone more established in their career, or someone transitioning into ministry. Preference will be given to candidates who are also qualified to teach our Introduction to Worship Arts courses (though this aspect can be negotiable) and who are eager to be actively involved in the Music and Theatre department.</p> <p>Institution</p> <p>John Brown University's mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Founded in 1919, JBU is a Christ-centered, Biblically-faithful, interdenominational university that represents the best of Protestant evangelicalism in our commitment to the following theological principles: the fundamental human need for conversion and lifelong discipleship; the centrality of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection for the redemption of human beings; high regard for, and obedience to, the Bible as our authority; and active involvement in a local church, in missions and in ministries that work for Biblical justice and serve people in need. At JBU, we seek to integrate faith and learning, foster holistic Christian formation, promote pragmatic liberal arts education, and prepare people to follow Christ's call to serve others in all areas of life. Consistent with its evangelical identity, JBU's board of trustees has articulated institutional commitments on certain theological issues or university practices. With God's help, JBU seeks to live out these commitments faithfully and humbly with grace and truth. All employees must affirm JBU's Employee Expectations and Articles of Faith.</p> <p>With more than 2,300 students from 35 states and 37 countries, JBU offers approximately 50 undergraduate programs, seven fully online bachelor's degrees, and 14 graduate degrees in business, education, cybersecurity, and counseling. JBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds program-specific accreditations from various agencies. More information is available at jbu.edu/accreditation.</p> <p>JBU has benefited from stable and excellent leadership throughout the organization. President Chip Pollard started in 2004 and has led the organization in consistently meeting enrollment goals, completing two capital campaigns and launching a third, finishing two strategic plans and launching a third, 17 major building projects, encouraging efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff, and students, and navigating the educational and financial challenges of the pandemic successfully. He served on the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) board for thirteen years and as chair for five years. Most of the president's cabinet has served for over 20 years, and all cabinet members have held volunteer leadership positions in the CCCU, ACSD, CIC, NACUBO, and other higher education associations. JBU's board of trustees are people of deep Christian faith, generous spirit, and professional expertise, with an average length of service of 11 years. They are deeply committed to maintaining JBU's mission to educate students to honor God and serve others.</p> <p>JBU has experienced a season of God's favor and blessing, for which we are grateful. In the last 20 years, JBU has received over $370 million in gifts and grants and has built or renovated over 90% of the university's facilities. JBU has just under $4 million of long-term debt on over $300 million of assets. During that same time, JBU's endowment has grown from about $50 million to over $185 million, much of it dedicated to scholarships and academic programs and to support maintenance costs for new facilities. This financial strength has enabled JBU to retain excellent faculty and staff with consistent compensation increases and funds for faculty and staff development. JBU has not been immune to the economic and cultural challenges facing higher education, but it is positioned better than many institutions to respond.</p> <p>JBU has received national recognition from many national newspapers and industry journals. For instance, in nine out of the last ten years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has named JBU on its "high honor roll" in its "Great Place to Work" survey. The Wall Street Journal has named JBU to its Best Colleges list since 2019, ranking us the top private school in Arkansas (2025) and top Arkansas university overall (2020, 2022, 2024). We are typically in the top 10% in our category (master's level universities in the South) in U.S. News and World Report rankings.</p> <p>JBU is located in Northwest Arkansas, a region predicted to have the third fastest job growth rate in the country behind only Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. Three of the largest corporations in the world are located here-Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt-and there is a growing technology, entrepreneurial, and art business ecosystem in the region. The quality of life is enhanced with a world-class art museum, Crystal Bridges, 25 miles from campus, over 400 miles of mountain biking trails, several state and national historic sites, parks, and large lakes, and a new $33 million whitewater rafting park just five miles south of campus. Siloam Springs has approximately 18,350 people with affordable housing and good private and public schools.</p> <p>Physical Demands and Work Environment</p> <p>Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk; stand; sit; use hands; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.</p> <p>Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and can sometimes be significant.</p> <p>The employee is expected to adhere to all University policies.</p> <p>Diversity</p> <p>JBU desires to increase the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students to honor how all humans are created in the image of God, to reflect better the diversity of the Kingdom of God, to further our Christian commitment to justice, and to increase the quality of our educational experience. JBU is pursuing the goal of teaching and working in an intercultural environment and encourages applications from people interested in serving a diverse body of students. For more information, visit our diversity webpage.</p> <p>About JBU</p> <p>Information describing the university is available online.</p> <p>Applications</p> <p>Please upload the following documents to the "Upload Your Documents" page:</p> <ul> <li>Letter of Interest </li><li>Your resume or CV </li><li>Faculty application (completed and signed) </li><li>Statement of Christian Commitment - regarding your relationship with Jesus Christ and your Christian Commitment (integration of faith and learning) related to teaching, scholarship and/or service. </li></ul> <p>Contact information:</p> <p>Office of Human Resources</p> <p>John Brown University</p> <p>2000 West University Street</p> <p>Siloam Springs, AR 72761</p> <p>Phone: 479.524.7197</p> <p>e-mail: jobs@jbu.edu</p>