First Christian Church 
fcctd.org · The Dalles, Oregon
 
Associate Minister of Worship and Youth 
Full-Time · Reports to Lead Pastor 

About First Christian Church
First Christian Church is a warm, welcoming congregation in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. We are in an active season of renewal, and we are looking for ministry leaders who want to be part of what God is building here.
 
FCC currently averages 100–120 in Sunday attendance, with a faithful core congregation and a strong desire to reach younger generations and young families.
 
Our mission is to help people connect with Jesus, with each other, and with their purpose. Our vision is to see The Dalles transformed through the love of Jesus, one life at a time. We pursue that through three core values: Show Up — present in worship, relationships, and community; Dig In — going deep in God's Word and life with Jesus; Reach Out — living generously, serving others, and sharing hope.
 
FCC is a non-denominational congregation rooted in the essentials of Christian faith. We hold the Bible as our authority for life and practice.
 
The Dalles sits at the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge — one of the most beautiful and recreation-rich regions in the Pacific Northwest. World-class windsurfing and water sports are minutes away in Hood River, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails wind through the Gorge, and Mount Hood's ski slopes are less than an hour from town. If you love the outdoors, this is a place you will want to call home.
 
Position Overview
We are seeking a full-time Associate Minister of Worship and Youth to join our pastoral team. This is a dual-role position with worship leadership as the primary responsibility and a strong preference for youth ministry or another next-generation focus as the secondary responsibility. We recognize that the right candidate may bring gifts that align more naturally with a different area of congregational ministry, and we are open to that conversation.
 
This person will serve alongside the Lead Pastor and a strong team of committed volunteer leaders. They will be a credible, Spirit-led leader — gifted in front of people, grounded in Scripture, and committed to the local church.
 
We welcome candidates who are still developing in experience but who demonstrate maturity, humility, initiative, and a genuine desire to grow in ministry leadership.
 
Primary Role: Worship Leadership
The Associate Minister will serve as the primary worship leader for First Christian Church, responsible for leading our congregation in weekly gathered worship. The expectation is contemporary, band-led worship that is accessible across generations and welcoming to young families. We are looking for someone who leads that kind of worship naturally and is ready to step into that role from day one.
 
Key responsibilities include:
• Leading weekly worship with a band in a contemporary style 
• Recruiting, developing, and pastoring the worship team 
• Overseeing song selection, set planning, and the overall worship environment 
• Cultivating a team culture marked by spiritual health, musical excellence, and servant leadership 
• Collaborating with the Lead Pastor to ensure worship supports and reflects the preaching vision
 
Secondary Role: Ministry Area (Preferred: Youth/Student Ministry
Our preferred secondary focus for this role is youth and student ministry. This is a build-from-scratch opportunity. FCC does not currently have an established student ministry — the right candidate will be a self-starter who sees that as a challenge worth taking on.
 
FCC is in an active season of renewal, and a core part of that vision is becoming a church where young families feel at home. This role is central to that effort — the right person won't just lead worship, they'll help shape the culture that makes it possible.
 
We recognize that the right candidate may bring gifts that align more naturally with a different secondary focus. Other areas we would consider include:
 
• Family Ministry — programming and pastoral care oriented around families with children 
• Outreach & Community Presence — events, partnerships, and relationship-building that connect FCC to the broader The Dalles community 
• Communications & Digital Ministry — social media, digital presence, and ministry-oriented communications 
• Connections & Hospitality — guest follow-up, assimilation, and the systems that help new people find a home at FCC 
• Young Adults & College — ministry presence among college-age and young adult members of the community
 
We are open to a conversation about fit. What matters most is that the secondary role reflects genuine alignment between the candidate's calling and gifting and the real needs of this congregation.
 
Qualifications
Required 
• Personal faith in Jesus Christ and active membership in a local church 
• Demonstrated experience leading worship in a band-led, contemporary worship context 
• Proven ability to recruit, lead, and develop a volunteer team 
• Strong interpersonal skills and a genuine pastoral heart 
• Theological alignment with the core convictions of First Christian Church — a summary of our beliefs is available at fcctd.org/beliefs
 
Preferred 
A degree in ministry, theology, or a related field is preferred. Candidates without a formal degree will be considered where there is a demonstrated record of real-world ministry experience and on-the-job development. For candidates hired without a completed degree, pursuit of formal theological education will be an expectation.
 
Other qualifications include:
• Hands-on experience in youth ministry or another area of congregational ministry 
• Proficiency with contemporary worship production tools and planning software 
• Experience in a variety of ministry contexts; exposure to larger congregations is a plus
 
Compensation & Benefits
 This position is compensated in a range consistent with an associate ministry role, typically $45,000–$50,000 annually, along with ministry expense reimbursement and paid time off. Additional benefits are negotiable. 

How to Apply
 Interested candidates should submit the following to the church office:
 
• A cover letter describing your call to ministry and why you are interested in this role 
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae including education and coursework, work history, ministry and volunteer experience, and relevant skills — including instruments played, music software, worship production experience, social media platforms, and any specialized ministry training 
• Links to two or more recent worship sets you have led (video preferred) 
• Three professional references, at least one of whom is a current or former pastor or supervisor
 
Submit materials to: candidate@fcctd.org | Questions: 541-296-9631
 
First Christian Church of The Dalles is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a safe and healthy ministry environment for all.