Pastor of Worship - Henderson First Baptist

baptist – sbc

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 350 – 400

Meet Henderson’s First Baptist Church

Founded in 1839, Henderson’s First Baptist Church has faithfully served generations of families in Henderson, Kentucky. With approximately 350–400 weekly attendees, the church continues to experience steady growth while maintaining a welcoming, multigenerational atmosphere rooted in strong relationships and biblical teaching.

The church is committed to making resilient disciples of Jesus Christ through three core principles: GATHER to worship God, GROW in resilient godliness, and GO to share gospel hope. Discipleship is a significant strength, with approximately 80% of the congregation participating in Sunday School, alongside D-Groups, Bible-reading plans, and thriving family ministries.

Missions are also central to the church’s identity. Through strong community partnerships, intentional discipleship, and a commitment to developing future leaders, Henderson’s First Baptist Church continues to build on its rich history while looking toward the future.

About the Pastor of Worship

Henderson’s First Baptist Church is seeking a Pastor of Worship to lead Christ-centered, biblically grounded worship while developing musicians, vocalists, and future worship leaders. Working closely with Lead Pastor Sam Hinkson, this individual will oversee weekly worship services, encourage congregational participation, and help shape the future of the worship ministry while honoring the church’s rich history. The role may also include additional pastoral responsibilities in missions, member care, or discipleship based on the candidate’s strengths and the church’s needs.

The Pastor of Worship responsibilities include:

• Plan and lead weekly worship services in collaboration with the Lead Pastor.

• Coordinate weekly worship rehearsals and service preparation.

• Oversee worship for special services and church events.

• Recruit, train, and develop vocalists, musicians, and worship leaders.

• Expand volunteer participation and strengthen the worship ministry.

• Introduce new music while honoring traditional hymns and worship styles.

• Utilize Planning Center, ProPresenter, and other worship technology.

• Collaborate with media and technical teams.

• Participate in staff meetings, retreats, and additional pastoral responsibilities.

• Be the primary communicator for HFBC’s missions philosophy and specific efforts that are focused toward engagement in 3 areas: Community; Country; Continents

  • Community – develop outreach and missions efforts with other area churches that will eventuate in community engagement opportunities and for church planting opportunitis within the Henderson County area.

    • Work in concert with the Hispanic ministry pastor to rescue & equip that ministry.

  • Country – develop and maintain church planting partnerships with church plant partners throughout the U.S. Equip and train missions teams to support our plant partners throughout the U.S. Equip and train missions teams to support our plant partners on short-term missions trips.

  • Continents – develop and maintain international missions partnerships with church planting and pastor – equipping efforts. overseas. Equip, train, and plan for short-term missions teams to be sent from HFBC.

• Lead mission teams as necessary and recruit equipped team leaders in lieu of your leadership.

• Give leadership to the HFBC Missions Team by arranging meeting schedules, trip priorities for the year, and proposing Mission budgets to the finance team.

• What you bring

  The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Pastor of Worship:

  Education and Experience

  • Education: BA, MA, or MDiv (MDiv is preferred) with theological training and experience in biblical worship.

  • Minimum three years of significant vocational worship leadership experience. Experience in a wide variety of worship style environments is especially helpful.

  • Significant skill and gifting in leading congregational worship. Proficiency in at least one primary instrument with the ability to play with others is ideal.

  • An understanding of the rudiments of music and musical theory, including how different instrumentalists work together effectively is required. Some preference will be given to candidates who have skills in playing various instruments.

  • Desire and ability to develop a cohesive congregational catalog of songs, readings, and prayers that will facilitate distinctive worship.

  • Technical skills (or the ability to learn how) to utilize a wide variety of equipment including computers, sound systems, video projection equipment and software, digital audio recording, etc. Familiarity with Planning Center is preferred.

  • Commitment to continued growth in understanding how to lead worship in a changing culture.

  • Ability to teach in various sized group settings.

  • Excellent references that can testify not only to skills and leadership ability but also to biblical character and love for the Word.

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Lead the congregation & worship teams to use their voices and instruments to worship God consistently and effectively.

  • Fulfill the role of lead worshiper in all regularly scheduled worship services and develop others to lead in this role as well.

  • Provide vision for all areas of worship and music ministry by teaching and reviewing the biblical philosophy of worship.

  • Oversee the Media Director & Tech Ministry Team volunteers to discuss, plan, and execute

  • services, events/concerts, communications, and technical requirements.

  • Utilize a team approach in developing volunteers who can use their gifts in planning gospel-saturated worship services.

  • Work with the Senior Pastor to plan worship services.

  • Provide pastoral care to those in the music and worship ministry, leading them to connect to total church life through discipleship, fellowship, and ministry.

  • Plan and administrate the church music budget with guidance from the Executive Pastor.

  Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

  • An authentic growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Consistently committed to Bible reading, study, prayer, and sanctification as a Christian in all of life.

  • Sound biblical theology whose understanding of the gospel shapes and guides worship decisions and selection of music.

  • Servant leader who demonstrates genuine humility as evidenced by the ability to listen to and work with people from all walks of life, leading worship teams with zeal and skill.

Missional spirit that desires to make God’s glory known.

What it’s like to live in Henderson, Kentucky

Nestled along the Ohio River, Henderson, Kentucky, offers the charm of small-town living with a welcoming community, historic neighborhoods, and a strong sense of family. Residents enjoy affordable housing, quality schools, local parks, and a relaxed pace of life. Just across the river from Evansville, Indiana, Henderson provides convenient access to additional shopping, dining, entertainment, and healthcare. With its rich history, family-friendly atmosphere, and close-knit community, Henderson offers an inviting place to live, work, and raise a family.