Snapshot
Denomination: International Pentecostal Holiness Church
Weekly Attendance: 1,300
Location: Flat Rock, NC
The Role: Worship Pastor
In 1923, Upward Christian Fellowship began as Hendersonville Pentecostal Holiness Church, meeting on Cherry Street. By 2005, the church had grown significantly enough to lead to the acquisition of 25 acres of property to build a new facility on Upward Road in Flat Rock. Not long after, with a new vision for reaching the community, the church changed its name to Upward Christian Fellowship.
In 2018, Upward Christian Fellowship moved ahead with a major facilities expansion project increasing the worship center seating from 400 seats to 700. In addition to this space increase, the leadership also chose to invest in an AVL overhaul resulting in a brand-new, custom, state-of-the-art, sound, lighting, projection, and video system. In 2021, the church renovated all bathrooms and the lobby. In 2023, the church remodeled the children’s ministry and is currently remodeling the student ministry and parking lot.
Upward Christian Fellowship is a vibrant and welcoming community of believers dedicated to growing in faith and serving their local community. Nestled in the picturesque town of Flat Rock, the fellowship offers a warm and inviting atmosphere where individuals and families can come together to worship, study the Bible, and fellowship with one another. With a strong emphasis on biblical teaching and spiritual growth, Upward Christian Fellowship provides various programs and ministries tailored to meet the needs of people at all stages of life.
The church is committed to making a positive impact both locally and globally through its outreach initiatives and missions efforts. Members are actively involved in serving their neighbors in need, supporting missions around the world, and sharing the love of Christ in tangible ways. Whether it's through community service projects, outreach events, or partnerships with local organizations, Upward Christian Fellowship seeks to be a beacon of hope and compassion in Flat Rock and beyond. With a passionate leadership team and a dedicated congregation, the fellowship continues to inspire and empower individuals to live out their faith in meaningful ways, making a difference in the lives of others and glorifying God in all they do.
About the Worship Pastor:
The primary goal of the Worship Pastor is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ using music, media, and the arts, thereby cultivating environments where life change and lasting impact can take place. They will lead all things worship and production and develop musical leaders to share the platform. The ideal candidate will have experience as a skilled musician, not only in playing, but also in diagnosing problems, making corrections, finding solutions, and developing others. They will have experience with systems such as Propresenter, Prime (Loop Community), Abelton, Vista Chroma Q Lighting Software, Canvas and digital sound mixing consoles such as the Allen & Heath GLD series, and will have experience leading and working in a similar role in a larger or multisite church setting.
The ideal candidate will also have a healthy understanding and openness to the Pentecostal and charismatic denomination and an understanding of regional Southern culture and the demographics of Upward Christian Fellowship.
Worship coordination
Be responsible for leading the Music Ministry at UCF to an ever-increasing level of worship engagement and excellence.
Develop other worship leaders. He/she will not be the only worship leader for UCF.
Organize the praise and worship team in all services.
Organize weekly practices for the praise and worship vocalists and musicians.
Create and lead the processes of planning, preparing and executing reliably excellent, and strategically aligned weekend services. This includes partnering with the service planning team on message series planning and overseeing planning and debrief processes.
Ensure the supervision of the maintenance and tuning of all musical instruments.
Organize and maintain a library of church music.
Meet monthly with the worship/arts team to disciple, plan, troubleshoot, strategize, and cast vision on behalf of the Worship and Arts Ministry.
Plan and implement services with a Christmas and Easter emphasis each year.
Give priority to the act of including new members of the congregation in the Worship Ministry.
Help ensure the mentorship and guidance of the ministry and ministry leaders in both Upward Students and Upward Kids as it pertains to worship ministry, tech, and creative elements.
Help coordinate additional services held on campus including Worship Nights, Seasonal Events, Funerals, etc. as needed.
Production team coordination
Develop team leaders within the production team.
To direct the technical team to ensure excellence in all services.
To stay abreast of new software/equipment developments and implement them in coordination with the Executive and/or Lead Pastor.
To assist in computer work and repair associated with the control booth.
To secure estimates for improvements relating to technical equipment.
To maintain all equipment associated with the technical department. All repairs must be made in a timely manner to ensure continued excellence.
As a church staff member
Carry out the vision of the Lead Pastor and the leadership of Upward Christian Fellowship.
Serve as a ‘watchdog’ for the UCF brand both in our weekend services and from a church-wide perspective.
Establish and maintain good relationships within the church body.
Set quarterly and annual goals in conjunction with the Executive Pastor.
Submit an annual budget to the Executive Pastor, and keep expenses within budget each year.
Attend regular one-on-one development meetings with the Executive Pastor.
Attend weekly staff planning/prayer meetings.
Be accountable directly to the Executive Pastor.
Attend Church Executive Council meetings as requested. (Non-voting capacity)
Participate in larger community/denominational ministry as time will permit, but only if it does not detract from major responsibilities.
Consult with the Executive Pastor on all plans and policies.
Furnish documentation of all purchases to the business manager
Cooperate fully and work in harmony with the entire staff for the good of the church.
Perform other duties at the request of the Lead and/or Executive Pastor.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education: BA/BS degree preferred.
Strategic and creative leader with at least 5 years of relevant leadership experience.
Exhibits a strong personal commitment to Jesus Christ evidenced in personal relationships, commitment to the church, personal work ethic, compassion, and a heart for lost people.
Exhibits excellent leadership, organizational and communication skills.
Effective team builder with innate people skills.
Proven ability to design effective weekend services that are relevant, excellent and purposeful, and that effectively help Upward Christian Fellowship accomplish its mission.
The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Worship Pastor:
Education & Experience
An undergraduate degree is strongly preferred
5 - 10 years of experience leading worship and a team
Experience with multisite would be preferred
Experience with a church of attendance of 1000+ with multiple services is strongly preferred
Personal Characteristics, Skill & Knowledge
Has a strong and growing faith in Jesus Christ, and a commitment to their personal faith and to the church.
Is a lifelong learner and who loves to read, learn, and grow constantly.
Possesses a relatable spirit, not just to their volunteers and other staff members, but to other church members and the region and culture where Upward is located.
Has a steadfast character.
Has a strong personality of humility, and is not afraid to ask questions or say they don’t have all the answers.
Able to lead from an instrument.
Able to read music and direct musicians.
Has a strong emotional intelligence.
Is a leader of leaders.
Genuinely loves people and has their best interests at heart, especially in matters of leadership.
Possesses a great sense of humor.
Has the ability to build margin in their role, setting up processes and systems to make things run smoothly and efficiently.
Is a team player and brings a low level of drama.
Has a creative eye, and can develop and strategize new creative initiatives to help the ministry grow.
Living in Flat Rock, NC, offers residents a unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty, making it a delightful place to call home. Situated in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Flat Rock is known for its tranquil setting, lush landscapes, and rich history. The town's quaint downtown area is filled with historic buildings, charming shops, and eateries, creating a welcoming atmosphere that invites both locals and visitors to explore and enjoy. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll through the streets lined with century-old trees or spending a relaxing afternoon at a local park, there's a sense of serenity and community that permeates the air.
In addition to its natural beauty and historic charm, Flat Rock offers a variety of recreational activities and cultural experiences for residents to enjoy year-round. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic overlooks that the area has to offer. Whether you prefer a challenging mountain hike or a peaceful lakeside picnic, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Flat Rock's great outdoors. For those interested in the arts and culture, Flat Rock is home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theatre of North Carolina, which hosts a variety of live performances throughout the year, ranging from classic plays to contemporary productions.
The sense of community in Flat Rock is strong, with residents often coming together to support local events, festivals, and community initiatives. From farmer's markets to community parades, there's always something happening in Flat Rock that brings people together and fosters a sense of belonging. The town's close-knit community spirit is evident in its friendly residents, who take pride in their hometown and work together to preserve its unique character and heritage. With its scenic beauty, rich history, and vibrant community life, Flat Rock, NC, offers a wonderful place to live, where residents can enjoy a relaxed pace of life while being surrounded by nature's splendor and the warmth of a tight-knit community.
Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.