WorshipCentral

Hi Will, there's relatively few of those kind of jobs around in the UK (as you're probably aware) but when they do come up they often get advertised on www.jobsearchmonitor.com which is the classifieds from Christianity and Youthwork magazines. Also try the Church of England Newspaper for C of E jobs, though they tend to vary between contemporary worship pastor type roles and church organists.
Many people doing that kind of job started as volunteers for their church, then as they grew in their gifting the church created a role for them, usually on a part-time basis, which then expanded further. This might be something to discuss with your church leadership?

In the meantime, develop your character, gifting and knowledge as much as you can. There's a thread somewhere on this forum (maybe in 'Staying Sharp'?) recommending books to read - here's a few:
Worship Matters - Bob Kauflin
Worshipping Trinity - Robin Parry
Engaging with God - David Peterson

And then just stay open to where God is leading you and be prepared to serve him in whatever context he calls you to, whether that's a worship pastor role in a big church or just leading him in a small group.
Hope that helps,

Matt

www.RESOUNDworship.org
Free New Worship Songs

Thanks Matt, you've been a massive help!

Btw, i've been on your resound worship site before, it's really gd! keep it up!

will

I would agree on many counts with what Matt Osgood has written. I have been a part time worship pastor before and can vouch for making sure you are following the right path that God may be leading you on. One of the harder things to do in my life has been to turn down Worship Pastor positions; believing that God had me exactly where he wanted me to be and to not just go for the sake of the position. I still am not back in ministry on a paid position basis but have to say that I am incredibly grateful for where my family and I are located and amazed at what God is doing in our home church.

Thanks for sharing your heart Will and it would be great to hear how your journey is coming.

Joe

Hey mate. Dude, if your serious about it and believe it's where God is leading you. Why not consider training with Hillsong college here in Aus?
I came from Glasgow 2 years ago to pursue it and it is flatout, the best step I made in ages. Would really love to chat to you about the experience as it will change your life.
Bro thats a cool move you want to make. I reckon fully allow God to trasnform you, let him in the hidden parts and keep on learning!
Peace mate.
Mark

Will, in many ways I'm in the same boat. I've volunteered for nearly 10 years at a local Church doing small groups and very small youth events. I often wonder, "what now?" I think everyone else's posted thoughts are wonderful; I'd highlight the importance of contentment. I think it’s easy error in trying to write out how things should look for leading worship; i.e. a progression from small groups and volunteer work to paid positions and larger groups/crowds. But such ambitions, if they are left to themselves, aren't really the point of leading worship. I think it is so easy to get caught up in creating your ministry that you stop ministering.

I'm presuming a little based on my own experience and don't mean to project anything onto you! By all means, keep searching and planning because those are good things. I don't mean to neglect their importance. It’s just so easy to get ahead of God if the “worship pastor” thing is left to plans alone.

I would also add to Matt's comments above by saying that often your own sense of calling needs to be confirmed by those around you, church leaders/elders, etc.

God often speaks in this way, as it is sometimes hard to be truly objective about ourselves. Our own nature and desires can get in the way.

I'm only ever-so-slightly uncomfortable with Mark's phrase above - 'to pursue it', as I would want to emphasise the sense of this being something you are 'called to', and not something that you would chase after. There's a considerable difference, imho.

So, to answer the OP's question - pray! And in acknowledging that call, seek out the opinions and prayerful consideration of others.

Pete Wheeler
Worship Pastor
Holy Trinity Aylesbury

Churches will tend to be looking for a combination of training/experience/calling/gifting/character. Some of those you can work on on your own, or in your church, others you may need to look further afield. In the same way that, if you thought God was calling you to be a violinist you'd look for vioilin lessons, there are different places you can look for some of the training and experiences that churches might look for. Two things to consider would be:

London School of Theology run a course in Theology, Music and Worhsip, and increasingly graduates from that excellent course a finding their way in worship pastor positions (or equivalent). You can do a full degree course, or part time certificate.

There are a growing number of internships available with Worship pastors in UK churches. You spend a year working closely with someone in exactly the role you're looking to fulfil.

Both of these will likely leave you not terribly well off at the end financially, but put you in an excellent position to look at taking up a post somewhere. In the past few years I've had 4 'intern's , three of whom have gone on to work for churches in a similar role so I'd really recommend it. People often begin recruiting around feb/mar time.

Hi there, I am 31 years old and find myself in a similar position. I have been in fulltime ministry for 9 years, 6 of those in my local church here in South Africa, and then 3 in California where I planted a church. It was then that my wife and I sensed God calling us to become worship pastors. We only had a 3 year visa to church plant in the States, so then we returned to Sotuh Africa, and entered secular employment, teaching IT at a school. The only thing is I still feel called to being a worship pastor, I am nearly finished an Honours Degree in Theology, and if you thought there were few oportunities for being a worship pastor in the UK, there are hardly any in South Africa. At the moment I am stuck between whether I should get a secular qualification behind my name so I can "tent-make" until the worship pastor role can be a full-time position (I lead the worship ministry in a small Vineyard church plant which is 2 years old), or should I look to go elsewhere, possibly abroad? Any advice would be appreciated, sorry for the long comment