Opportunity Profile
Director of Worship & Music
Presented by Shepherd Staff
Consultant: Greg Bowlus
813.934.6464| [email protected]
What you need to know most about this position:
The successful person in this role will have the ability to understand and embrace the various heart languages including modern worship music as well as the timeless hymns. They describe their worship as primarily a contemporary style with an occasional hymn included in order to accomplish their focus on intergenerational ministry even in worship.
About West Hills Church:
West Hills is a congregation that is warm and inviting. The church is like a family and all are welcome to be a part of their family. The church’s facilities are extensive, well-appointed, and heavily utilized throughout the week by the community and the church. Having been through many ups and downs over their years of existence, the people of West Hills are resilient and excited about this and the next seasons of ministry. While they are in the PCUSA, they often don’t feel as if they are at home in this denomination as they are a more conservative church in their theology.
Position Information:
Job Description
The Director of Worship and Music will develop, supervise, facilitate, and coordinate the ministry of worship and music throughout the church. This role will manage and coordinate audio-visual and other technical support, and provide ongoing support to the people involved in worship. There will be an additional element of responsibility after the initial period of time of developing and shepherding the worship team. This additional area will also be discerned over that time and will be based on the gifting, passion, and experience of the Worship Director and the various needs of the church at that time.
Ideal Candidate Description
- Highly relational, collaborative, servant leader
- Sensitive to the needs of the team and congregation - flexibility
- Creative yet organized and detail oriented
- Willingness and ability to use various worship heart languages
- Recruit and develop the team
- Shepherd
- Tech-savvy
- Willing to embrace their intergenerational approach to ministry
- A confident worship leader with strong vocals and Instrument preferred
Shepherd Staff Observations:
Shepherd Staff spent time onsite at West Hills Church interviewing leaders, staff, and critical church members to gain valuable insights about the church, the position, and the community. Here are our unbiased observations.
About the Church
In the midst of the evolving landscape of its community, West Hills stands as a beacon of spiritual nourishment and community engagement. Despite its location being somewhat concealed by the urban development in the area, the church is still known as a valuable part of the community. Their property and facilities are expansive and serve as a hub of activity, hosting a myriad of ministries and seeing several hundred people on its campus throughout the week. One of the defining features of this congregation is its strong emphasis on intergenerational connectivity which fosters an environment and culture where members of all ages feel welcomed, valued, and are engaged. West Hills has an emphasis on Bible-based teachings, and they hold a more conservative theology than the other churches in their Presbytery. Therefore, they often feel like they do not belong in the denomination. West Hills radiates with the joy of worship and they are dedicated to welcoming all and serving the community.
About the Position
The position entails serving as the Director of Worship and Music, with additional responsibilities added after a period of settling in that will be tailored to the individual's gifts, such as pastoral care or media involvement. Emphasizing a desire for an intergenerational worship experience, the ideal candidate will orchestrate services and elements that unite the congregation in a harmonious and unified expression of faith.
About the Leadership
The church is led by Andy Hamer, serving as both the Lead Pastor and direct supervisor. Additionally, a committed and faithful group of elders collectively oversees its affairs, ensuring a balanced and cohesive leadership structure. Together, they guide the congregation with wisdom and unity, fostering a community of trust and spiritual growth.
About the Community
Our team originally wasn’t sure what to expect about Omaha before we visited the church and area. We were pleasantly surprised at the vibrancy of the community, the level of diversity, and the thriving arts scene. There exists a strong sense of community which we found to be very friendly in all of our interactions with the church and in the community. One little-known and unexpected fact is that Omaha boasts the fact that they have the largest number of restaurants per capita than any place in the country.
West Hills Church Information:
History of the Church:
West Hills Church was incorporated on February 28, 1960, as West Hills Presbyterian Church at 82nd Avenue (a dirt road then), south of Center Street. This church began when Third Presbyterian Church (downtown) closed and moved to this location. For a while, the congregation met at the drive-in movie theater across the street (on the south side of 82nd). The minister would stand on top of the projection house and people would sit in their cars. Before long, a sanctuary was built on the property which currently is used for chapel, break-out rooms, and offices.
Mission & Core Values:
Mission
On a journey with the living Christ; connecting with God, others, and the world.
Core Values
- Giving ourselves to God's mission.
- Rooted in God's Word.
- Authentic relationships - freedom to be real.
- Christ-centered community.
- Energized for joyful worship and prayer.
Church Beliefs:
At West Hills Church, we are a community of Christians who seek to follow the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We believe that the Bible is the true and living Word of God. It is an amazing account of God's faithfulness and love for all of us, and a manual for the way we live our lives. Our faith is based on the following truths:
God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God. He set aside the things he could do as God in order to become a man. He lived a life in complete obedience to the Father, then died on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins. Through Jesus, we have been forgiven and brought into right relationship with God. We believe Jesus physically rose from the dead, was seen by his disciples, and ascended into heaven, where he now sits at the right hand of the Father.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit reveals God's truth to us and helps us realize our need for a Savior. The Holy Spirit permanently lives in every believer, convicting, guiding, comforting, counseling, empowering us with gifts, and leading us into truth through a communal life of worship and a missional expression of our faith. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God. It has faithfully recorded God's desires and will for our lives and for our world. The Bible is the authority on all matters of faith and practice. It is the only perfect guide for how to live and what to believe. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Eternal Life & Salvation
Eternal life cannot be earned or deserved in any way. We believe that salvation is a gift of free grace through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and not as a reward for acts of human goodness or good works. Salvation is given to those who in faith repent of their sins. When we realize that we've turned away from God, we simply ask God for forgiveness and put our life fully in the hands of Jesus Christ. Through this process we are reconnected with God. Those who believe that Jesus is God, that he died and rose again, and ask Jesus to take charge of their lives are saved and will live forever in the presence of God in heaven.
The Christian Life
We believe the Christian life to be a relationship of faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, guided by God's written word and lived out in fellowship with other believers. The church is a global and local expression of living out the way of Jesus through love, peace, sacrifice, and healing as we embody the resurrected Christ, who lives in and through us, to a broken and hurting world.
West Hills Church Staff:
Andy Hamer
Pastor
William Scheopner
Elder for Worship and Music
Community Information:
- 1.Birthplace of the Reuben Sandwich: The famous Reuben sandwich was created in Omaha. It is said to have originated at the Blackstone Hotel in the 1920s.
- 2.Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in the world. It features the largest indoor rainforest in North America and the world's largest nocturnal exhibit.
- 3.Warren Buffett's Hometown: Omaha is the hometown of Warren Buffett, one of the world's most successful investors and the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. The annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting is a major event in the city.
- 4.College World Series: Omaha has been hosting the College World Series, a major college baseball tournament, since 1950. It has become a significant event in the city, drawing baseball fans from around the country.
- 5.Union Pacific Railroad: Omaha was a vital hub for the Union Pacific Railroad during the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century. The Durham Museum, located in a former train station, preserves the history of this era.
- 6.Strategic Location: Omaha is strategically located on the west bank of the Missouri River, making it a historically important transportation and trading hub.
- 7.Bob Boozer: Omaha produced Bob Boozer, an NBA player who won a gold medal with the U.S. basketball team in the 1960 Rome Olympics and had a successful professional career.
- 8.Ak-Sar-Ben: "Ak-Sar-Ben" is Nebraska spelled backward and was a popular horse racing track and entertainment venue in Omaha for many years. The Ak-Sar-Ben area is now used for various events and is the site of the Aksarben Village development.
- 9.Mutual of Omaha: The Mutual of Omaha is a well-known insurance and financial services company headquartered in the city. It has been a prominent part of Omaha's business community for decades.
- 10.Omaha Steaks: Omaha is famous for its steaks, and Omaha Steaks, a company that started in 1917, is known for its premium beef and gourmet food products, which are shipped nationwide.
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