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JOB POSTING: Bedford United Church Seeking New Music Director

Join Us in Reclaiming a Voice of Radical Love
Bedford United Church (BU) is not your typical church—and we’re not looking for a
typical music director. We’re a progressive, affirming, and evolving community of faith rooted
in the radical, inclusive love of Jesus. In a world increasingly shaped by division, we are
reclaiming sacred space as a voice of compassion, curiosity, justice, and joy. Our worship—
deeply spiritual, creative, and soul-stirring—is at the heart of that mission. Music is its pulse.
We’re seek a Director of Music Ministry who understands music not as performance,
but as a sacred art that helps create space for transformation. You’re a skilled and passionate
keyboardist, an insightful collaborator, —comfortable working with both amateur and
professional musicians. You have a keen sense of how music shapes spiritual experience and
are energized by the opportunity to co-create moments that awaken hearts, stir spirits, and
nourish action.

You may be a seasoned or developing leader. You embody humility, strive for excellence
(not perfection), and have a deep love for community. If you lean into growth over perfection,
feel called to contribute to worship experiences that blend the vitality of evangelical energy
with open-minded theology—then we want to meet you.
At BU, we are becoming more fully who we are called to be. We are building something
bold and beautiful. Come bring your voice. Let’s make music that matters. Read more in our
listing!

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POSITION PROFILE
BUC is an affirming, progressive church committed to the self-reflection and continual evolution
required to provide relevant, engaged, and excellent ministry in service to the needs of its
current membership and wider community. We seek a permanent, part-time Director of Music
Ministry to join our team. This is a salaried position, 20 hours per week. The successful
candidate will be aligned with BUC’s values, be an outstanding musician, (main instrument
keyboards), an accomplished choral conductor, with solid experience in providing direction and
leadership to bands, and singers, both professional and amateur. They will have a drive for
excellence and respect for collaboration.


SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Director of Music Ministry:

  • Embodies and lives into BU’s core purpose, vision, values and theology.
  • In consultation with the Lead Minister, participates in worship service planning by
    selecting and preparing music from a wide variety of genres: traditional, gospel, world,
    rock, contemporary, contemplative and classical, etc.
  • Works collaboratively with the ministry team, staff, and lay people.
  • Leads music in worship services, other ministries and events, plays instrument(s),
    rehearses, and leads band(s) and choir(s).
  • Oversees the sound and AV team.
  • Plans and performs music at weddings and funerals.
  • Prepares, tracks and manages the annual music budget, in adherence with established
    financial procedures and in consultation with the Worship and Music Team.
  • Ensures musical instruments and related equipment are maintained
  • ACCOUNTABILITY
  • The Director of Music Ministry reports to the Lead Minister and is accountable to the
    BUC Council through the Ministry and Personnel Team, (M&P).
  • The Director of Music Ministry will adhere to BUC requirements for the completion of
    Monthly Time Reports, documenting additional hours worked, and in discussion with
    the Lead Minister scheduling vacation and time off for personal/professional
    development. Active involvement in the Annual Performance Review and participation
    in scheduled meetings with the assigned Ministry and Personnel liaison is also a
    requirement of the position.

    AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
    Worship
  • Works collaboratively to set tone for worship services, in support of the Lead Minister
    and Council’s vision, aligned with the theology of the congregation, by selecting,
    rehearsing, and leading music that complements themes and strives for excellence.
  • Conducts choir(s), and band(s), which may include children, adults, amateurs, and
    professionals and leads/inspires the congregation in singing.
  • Participates in planning and leading services such as funerals, weddings, and
    congregational worship beyond Sunday morning including Christmas, Easter, etc.
  • Sources and adapts music that reflects BU’s evolving theologies.
    Leadership
  • Recruits, mentors, and develops musicians, choirs, bands, including amateurs, and
    professionals.
  • Recruits extra musicians when required and qualified replacement musicians during
    times away.
  • Responsible for overseeing and collaborating with the Sound and AV team.
  • Organizes and produces special musical events.
  • Establishes and pursues personal and vocational goals set with supervisor and approved
    by M&P Committee.

    Administration
  • Meets regularly with the Lead Minister.
  • Attends committee meetings as required, including weekly staff meetings, Worship and
    Music Team, and occasionally others.
  • Provides information to support creation of promotional materials and worship outlines.
  • Ensures copyright data is accurately tracked and reported.
  • Ensures the maintenance of music library, database, and instruments.
    Church & Wider community
  • Participates in the life and ministry of the congregation, according to priorities set with
    the supervisor.
  • Positively represents BUC and the United Church of Canada in public, especially in
    musical performances beyond the congregation
  • Builds connections with wider music community

    QUALIFICATIONS
  • Minimum undergraduate degree in Music, or equivalent education and experience.
  • Minimum three years’ experience in similar position or equivalent experience
  • Experience in choir leadership, preferably with church
  • Experience leading bands
  • Experience working with subcontractors
  • Proven musical skills and competence
  • Proficiency in piano
  • Arranging skills
  • Strong knowledge of AV and sound relevant to context
  • Values aligned with those of BUC

    ASSETS
  • Ability to compose music
  • Some proficiency with a variety of musical instruments.

    COMPENSATION
  • This is a salaried position of 20 hours per week.
  • Eligible for standard United Church of Canada pension and benefits.
  • Requirement for a 1-year period of probation with a quarterly performance review with
    the Lead Minister on mutually, pre-established objectives. (The probationary period is
    viewed as a period of learning and may be reduced depending upon individual need.)
  • Remuneration, within the range of $35,000 – $40,000 per year commensurate with
    experience and education.

    About Bedford United Church
    Bedford United is known to provide: a sanctuary for the soul, a community for the curious. It is an
    affirming ministry of the United Church of Canada, that takes scripture seriously but not literally. In our commitment to full inclusion of all people we invite and encourage individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities to apply.

    Check us out at:
    www.bedfordunited.com
    We acknowledge that our work takes place on Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the
    Mi’kmaq People. Applications will be received until September 30, 2025 and should be sent to
    searchteam@bedfordunited.com.