WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 375

Meet Friendship Baptist Church (FBC)Friendship Baptist Church (FBC) is a growing (350–400), multigenerational, world-missions, Southern Baptist Convention congregation in Sykesville, Maryland, committed to "Honoring God by reaching people and developing them into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." FBC is located 20 miles west of Baltimore and 40 miles north of Washington, D.C. We are led by five ministers. Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Massey, founded the congregation 41 years ago. FBC has 40 internal ministries established and led by church members, a growing Hispanic congregation led in Spanish (FBC en Espanol), as well as active world mission ministries in Africa, Mexico, Jamaica, California and Montana. FBC is located in central Maryland and within an 8-mile radius of the facility are over 130,000 unchurched people.

About the Worship PastorWe are seeking a biblically conservative, born-again believer in Jesus Christ to fill a full-time role in the ministry area of Worship. This God-called person must be passionate about leading and teaching God-centered, contemporary worship throughout our congregation (children, students, and adults). The candidate should demonstrate a strong understanding of contemporary worship and have training in modern worship theory and ministry, while also appreciating the richness of a congregation's musical heritage.

While a working knowledge of Spanish would be a plus, it is by no means a requirement.

The person who fills this role will enable our congregation to continue to move forward in our current season of healthy growth. FBC is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation. This role requires leadership in relating well to diverse groups both young and old. Strong people skills and a shepherd's heart are vital, since this ministry relies on building trust and encouraging participation from every age group.

A familiarity with and a commitment to the world missions program of the Southern Baptist Convention is a necessity. Our staff go on mission trips around the world (Matthew 28:18-20). Serving at FBC requires a servant heart and an evangelistic attitude. "...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." – Luke 9:23

Purpose:

To champion and implement a compelling vision of contemporary worship and to implement that vision not only in leading worship services but throughout the full scope of activities of the church (children, students, adults) and the daily lives of church members. This vision and culture of worship should be biblically faithful and strive to be musically excellent, visually engaging, and welcoming to both families and individuals. It must also foster an authentic worship environment that allows worshipers freedom to express their worship of God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

This worship leader is not only responsible for Sunday services but all aspects of worship in congregational life, including weddings, funerals, and church events.

The Worship Pastor's responsibilities include:

Responsibilities

• Lead and Develop Worship Ministry: Plan and lead contemporary worship experiences; facilitate multiple worship bands and groups that serve the entire congregation; collaborate with church leadership to implement a worship ministry that strengthens the church spiritually and organizationally.
• Musicianship & Teaching: Proficient on keyboard or guitar and vocally confident; able to arrange parts for bands and singers; comfortable teaching Scripture and connecting biblical truth to everyday life through worship.
• Leadership & Volunteer Development: Recruit, train, and multiply volunteers and leaders, modeling Christ-like love, Christian humility, and strong relationship-building across diverse groups within FBC.
• Collaboration Across Ministries: Partner with Children's and Student Ministries to integrate family-focused worship moments (child dedications, youth band Sundays, family worship nights, holiday events, etc.); collaborate with the Outreach Team to create worship-related content such as devotionals, Scripture reflections, and behind-the-scenes features for digital storytelling.
• Planning, Organization & Communication: Organized and detail-oriented planner able to balance multiple worship-related tasks and events; capable with church communications and social media.
• Hybrid Worship Experience: Ensure worship gatherings are designed for both in-person and livestream audiences, supporting excellence and engagement across platforms.
• Other duties such as prospect and hospital visitation as assigned by the Senior Pastor.

  Technology & Innovation

• Worship Production Oversight: Oversee and help modernize stage design, lighting, sound, and video across worship spaces; ensure all worship and production elements meet modern standards for clarity, volume, mix quality, and visual excellence—enhancing the worship experience without distraction.
• Technology Systems & Platforms: Utilize current worship technology platforms such as (Planning Center Services, Multitracks Playback, Ableton, click/guide systems) to ensure tight musical execution and consistency across teams; maintain an organized digital library of chord charts, stems, arrangements, and rehearsal resources for volunteer musicians. Oversee or collaborate on Sunday media preparation, including ProPresenter lyric formatting, sermon slides, video cues, and visual consistency across services.
• Audio & Monitoring Best Practices: Introduce and manage best practices for monitoring systems (in-ear systems, personal mixers); provide basic training for team members on digital tools including in-ear systems, stageboxes, and monitoring apps (e.g., M-32, P-16, or similar); troubleshoot basic audio, visual, and stage-technology issues and support volunteers in resolving challenges smoothly.
• Tech Team Leadership & Development: Work closely with Tech Team(s) to plan and execute high-quality audio, video, livestream, lighting, and stage design; help recruit, train, and develop volunteers in audio engineering, livestream operation, graphics, lighting, and video recording to strengthen the Tech Team long-term.
• Service Planning & Alignment: Lead regular production meetings to align musicians and tech personnel around best practices for worship services; maintain an organized schedule and clear communication systems between musicians, singers, and Tech Teams.
• Sunday Media & Visual Execution: Oversee or collaborate on Sunday media preparation, including ProPresenter lyric formatting, sermon slides, video cues, and visual consistency across services.
• Worship Ministry Budget Stewardship: Develop, manage, and steward the annual Worship Ministry budget; track expenses, purchases, and contracts to ensure wise, effective use of church funds.
• Financial Planning & Collaboration: Evaluate ongoing and future ministry needs and propose budget adjustments as part of long-term planning, collaborating closely with the Senior Pastor and Finance Team to ensure transparency, compliance, and sound financial decision-making.

  What you bringThe following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Worship Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Theological Training Requirement: The candidate must have received some level of theological training through either seminary or Bible College.
• Desired Experience: This training should be in either Music/Worship or both Music/Worship. The ideal candidate should also have 2+ years leading worship (paid or significant volunteer).

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Born-again follower of Jesus with consistent Christian character and a definite call by God to ministry.Affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 1963 or 2000.
• As a member of FBC, demonstrate a long-term commitment to our local body of believers.
• Approachable Leadership: "people person" who builds trust with adults, band, choirs, students, parents, Tech Team, and volunteers.
• Humble, teachable spirit with a willingness to collaborate and communicate daily with other staff members and volunteers.
• Active participation not only in assigned tasks but also in the life and relationships of the congregation.Commitment to missional outreach to the community and the world.

What it's like to live in Sykesville, MDNestled in the heart of Maryland's scenic mid-Atlantic region, Sykesville offers a delightful blend of small-town intimacy and East-Coast accessibility. With its historic Main Street lined by charming storefronts and local cafés, you'll feel the warmth of a tight-knit community the moment you stroll downtown. Recognized as one of America's "Coolest Small Towns" and celebrated for its revitalized Main Street, the town's character and charm are unmistakable. Sykesville proper is a small town, but the Sykesville area of Carroll and Howard counties is a bedroom of community feeding both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Hundreds of thousands of people live in our area.

Yet Sykesville isn't just a picturesque village—it's also strategically positioned for life's practical side. Just 20 miles from Baltimore and about 40 miles north of Washington, D.C., you have access to broad medical and cultural options without sacrificing community feel. Whether you're raising a family, commuting, or looking to trade the faster pace of city life for something more peaceful, Sykesville hits a sweet spot: lively community events, good schools, robust local amenities, and connectivity to major metros and medical centers make it a compelling place to move.