Contemporary Worship Apprentice

Contemporary Worship Apprentice

The Contemporary Worship Apprenticeship is a year long, hands on development opportunity for an emerging worship leader who already has experience leading worship and wants to accelerate their growth into a highly capable, well rounded contemporary worship leader. The apprentice will work alongside experienced worship leaders at Highland Park United Methodist Church, receiving intentional coaching and mentorship while gaining practical experience across HPUMC’s contemporary worshiping communities. The apprenticeship develops the apprentice beyond leading songs to understanding and leading the entire worship experience, including worship planning, musical direction, team leadership, production, worship technology, theology of worship, and ministry leadership.

Reports To: Contemporary Worship Leader

Ministrial Exemption: Yes

FLSA Status: No

Campus: Mockingbird, with ministry opportunities across HPUMC worshiping communities

Working Hours: This is a Part Time position that will work an anticipated 8 to 10 hours per week during the school year.

Anticipated Schedule: Schedule will vary based on worship and ministry opportunities and may include Sunday mornings; weekday or evening rehearsals; worship planning and mentorship meetings; religious holidays and special worship services; and occasional ministry events and special projects.

During certain times of the year additional hours may be necessary to meet the demands of the job. All church staff will be asked to support and serve for religious holidays and worship services including Christmas Eve and Easter. Presence on occasional Sundays is also requested to ensure that one has the firsthand understanding of the church culture.

Job Responsibilities and Duties:

Worship Leadership & Planning

• Lead worship vocally and instrumentally in a variety of contemporary worship environments.

• Participate in the planning and preparation of worship services.

• Develop thoughtful song selections, service flow, transitions, and creative worship elements.

• Learn to take a worship opportunity from idea to execution.

• Collaborate with pastors and ministry leaders to support the larger purpose and direction of worship.

• Develop the ability to lead effectively with a full band, smaller team, or as a solo worship leader.

• Assume increasing ownership of complete worship experiences as skills and readiness develop.

Musical & Team Leadership

• Prepare arrangements, charts, tracks, transitions, and other musical resources.

• Develop skills in musical direction and rehearsal leadership.

• Learn to prepare and lead musicians with clarity and confidence.

• Communicate effectively with musicians and volunteers.

• Develop healthy, encouraging, and spiritually meaningful team culture.

• Grow in the ability to recruit, equip, encourage, and develop other worship leaders and musicians.

• Learn how to respond effectively when plans change, musicians become unavailable, or other unexpected challenges arise.

Worship Production & Technology

• Gain hands on experience with ProPresenter and other worship planning and presentation tools.

• Develop a working understanding of audio, lighting, stage setup, presentation, and other production elements.

• Learn how to effectively communicate and collaborate with production staff and volunteers.

• Prepare the technical and production elements necessary for worship.

• Understand how musical, visual, and technical decisions work together to support a cohesive worship experience.

• Develop the ability to troubleshoot common worship and production challenges.

Theology, Spiritual Formation & Ministry Leadership

• Explore the biblical and theological foundations of Christian worship.

• Develop the ability to articulate what worship is, why the Church worships, and the responsibility of the worship leader.

• Learn how theology informs practical decisions about songs, Scripture, prayer, liturgy, creativity, and service planning.

• Grow in spiritual maturity and personal worship.

• Develop pastoral awareness and learn to lead people, not simply music.

• Grow in preparation, organization, communication, collaboration, and other less visible aspects of ministry leadership.

• Receive regular mentorship, coaching, and feedback.

Increasing Leadership Responsibility

• Move from learning and serving alongside experienced leaders into increasing levels of independent leadership.

• As readiness is demonstrated, plan worship, build arrangements, lead rehearsals, coordinate teams, prepare production elements, solve unexpected challenges, and take responsibility for complete worship experiences.

• Develop an understanding not only of how to lead from the platform, but why worship leaders lead, what they are inviting people into, and how to bring a worship experience from idea to execution.

Capstone Project

• Near the conclusion of the apprenticeship, conceive, develop, and lead an original worship focused project or experience.

• Identify an opportunity, develop the vision, build the necessary team and resources, work through theological, creative, technical, and logistical considerations, and bring the idea to life.

• Use the capstone to demonstrate not simply what has been learned, but what the apprentice is now capable of leading.

Other duties as assigned. Changes to job may occur at any time and without notice.

Education and Desired Skills:

• Previous experience leading worship in a church or ministry environment.

• Demonstrated ability as a vocalist and instrumentalist.

• Comfortable leading worship from the platform.

• Desire and potential to develop into an exceptional contemporary worship leader.

• Curiosity about worship beyond its musical elements and a desire to deepen understanding of Christian worship.

• Highly teachable and receptive to coaching, feedback, and mentorship.

• Commitment to preparation, excellence, and reliability.

• Demonstrates humility, creativity, curiosity, and initiative.

• Strong relational and communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with musicians, volunteers, pastors, ministry leaders, and production teams.

• Desire to care for and develop people as well as pursue musical excellence.

• Willingness to learn and serve in a variety of contemporary worship environments.

• Alignment with the mission, theology, and ministry values of Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Candidates are not expected to enter the apprenticeship with experience in every area described above. The ideal candidate brings an existing foundation in worship leadership along with the talent, character, curiosity, and drive to grow quickly through intentional investment and meaningful ministry experience.

Preferred Software Experience:

• ProPresenter

• Planning Center

• Ableton Live or similar playback software

• Creating or editing chord charts and arrangements

• Leading or directing a worship band

• Basic audio and production systems

• Contemporary worship service planning

Physical Demands:

Sitting Standing Walking Seeing Hearing Speaking Fine Motor Skills

Other Qualifications:

Must be a Christian committed to living a life that reflects the Gospel, who feels called to the ministry of the church, and is comfortable working in a United Methodist Church environment. Additionally, employees are expected to follow church policies, lead lives that embody the Gospel, and exhibit an appropriate demeanor both on and off the job.

Created: September 2026