Worship Pastor

The vision at Bridgetown is In Portland As It Is In Heaven. We live this out by Practicing the Way of Jesus Together in Portland. We organize our church around apprenticing with Jesus in community, gathering around a stage on Sundays and around the table throughout the week in smaller Bridgetown Communities. We believe that to be an apprentice of Jesus of Nazareth is to order our lives around three goals: be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. Our dream is that as we live this way, our lives, our communities, and our city will be transformed.

Role Summary:

We believe that corporate gathering and liturgy are primary ways we are with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. Within these gatherings, music uniquely helps God’s people worship, pray, be formed, and be sent on mission.

The Pastor of Worship helps lead the musical life of Bridgetown—cultivating worship that is theologically rich, musically excellent, and deeply formational—shaping our church to love God and live in His Kingdom.

Under the direction of the Pastor of Worship & Gatherings, this role helps steward Bridgetown’s worship and music culture—leading Sunday gatherings and events, running rehearsals, and ensuring that every musical and liturgical element aligns with the series and spiritual aim of the gathering.

The Pastor of Worship develops and pastors worship leaders, musicians, and vocalists—cultivating a prayerful, joyful, and skillful team. They create pathways for musical and spiritual development, participate in songwriting and creative collaboration, and help ensure that every expression of Bridgetown’s music reflects the beauty, breadth, and unity of God’s people and the mission of our church.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Worship Leadership in Gatherings

• Steward the culture of worship and music for Bridgetown’s gatherings under the direction of the Pastor of Worship & Gatherings
• Lead musical worship for at least 35 Sunday gatherings per year, along with additional liturgical and seasonal events.
• Prepare and lead thoughtful, formational, and theologically aligned set lists that support the teaching series and spiritual aim of each gathering
• Run efficient and engaging weekly rehearsals—posting resources in advance and providing clear direction for cues, transitions, and flow
• Oversee scheduling and communication for worship teams through Planning Center, ensuring teams are confirmed weeks in advance and details are accurate
• Model and ensure preparedness for gatherings—arriving early, anticipating needs, and ensuring all musical and liturgical elements are ready before others arrive
• Collaborate with the Pastor of Worship & Gatherings and Technical Director to align musical preparation, production planning, and execution—ensuring excellent sound, mix, instrumentation, and stage setup for all gatherings and events
• Participate regularly in planning and production meetings, contributing musical and pastoral insight to the design, flow, and execution of Bridgetown’s gatherings
• Ensure that all musical worship aligns with the theological, pastoral, and formational vision of Bridgetown’s gatherings

Musician & Volunteer Development

• Recruit, train, and develop volunteer musicians, worship leaders, and vocalists—fostering both musical growth and spiritual maturity

• Provide ongoing pastoral care, discipleship, and feedback for worship leaders and volunteers—meeting regularly to cultivate growth in skill, maturity, and love for Jesus, and to foster a team culture marked by prayerfulness, joy, and unity

• Coach worship leaders and teams through one-on-one meetings, practical skill development, and ongoing encouragement
• Oversee clear and timely communication with volunteers, ensuring healthy rhythms of preparation and connection.
• Collaborate on songwriting, arranging, and musical development alongside Bridgetown Music, contributing to the theological integrity and creative direction of Bridgetown’s sound
• Model ongoing growth as both a musician and pastor, demonstrating humility, preparation, and excellence in leadership

Pastoral & Departmental Leadership

• Carry and communicate Bridgetown’s vision for worship and music as formation—partnering with the Pastor of Worship & Gatherings to translate theological and pastoral vision into weekly practice
• Collaborate with the Tech, Creative & Communications, and Prayer teams to ensure theology, tone, visuals, and sound are cohesive and formationally aligned
• Participate in songwriting, arranging, and recording as time allows—helping shape the sound and spiritual direction of the church’s music
• Steward departmental resources and budgeting in collaboration with the Pastor of Worship & Gatherings, managing purchases and use of funds wisely
• Participate in departmental and production meetings, contributing to planning, feedback, and the continued strengthening of Bridgetown’s musical and liturgical life
• Other duties as assigned

General Pastoral Expectations:

• Be commissioned by the elders of Bridgetown Church
• Live within character qualifications of 1 Timothy 3v1-13
• Align with Bridgetown’s theological beliefs as described at bridgetown.church/belief 
• Agree with the leadership structure of Bridgetown Church as described at bridgetown.church/about
• Attend Bridgetown staff & production meetings
• Attend Bridgetown pastoral meetings and staff events
• Attend the weekly gatherings
• Sacerdotal duties of baptism, weddings, funerals, pastoral/spiritual counsel, communion

• Experience successfully leading and developing staff members and volunteers

• Serve on a Sunday Gatherings volunteer team as needed and as your role permits

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Adhere to Bridgetown Staff Values: empowerment, communication, playfulness, team, spirit-led and orthodox, stewardship, integrity, and prayer
• Actively involved in a Bridgetown Community 

• Commitment to Bridgetown staff Life Rhythms (Sabbath, Daily Prayer Rhythm, Personal Rule of Life)

• Respond to staff/volunteer concerns in a timely manner

• 7+ years of relevant experience in similar roles
• 3+ years of pastoral leadership experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Vision driven and action oriented - an inherent desire to achieve exceptional results that line up with the church’s mission

• Enthusiasm and passion to serve Bridgetown, responding to the unique needs of each situation

• Self-starter who is well organized and proactive
• Reside within the city limits of Portland, OR
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Bonus Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading teams and volunteers
• Experience with Planning Center - scheduling and database management
• Bachelor’s Degree in pastoral ministry, music, theology, or worship arts  (or equivalent)

• Familiarity with spiritual formation practices