Assistant or Associate Professor of Worship and Music Studies

Assistant or Associate Professor of Worship and Music Studies

Department College of Ministry

Reports To Dean, College of Ministry

Appointment Fall 2026

Close Date Open Until Filled

Classification Faculty, Full-Time (Tenure Track)

Northwest University is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Worship and Music Studies to serve as a faculty member in the College of Ministry. This 10-month FTE position focuses on ministry development, formation of student worship and ministry leaders, shepherding of worship culture at Northwest University, oversight of student worship and ministry teams, and leadership of the contemporary worship/gospel choir.

The faculty member will also teach courses in their area of expertise within worship, music, ministry, theology, and/or related fields.

Candidates must demonstrate a meaningful commitment to Jesus Christ, the Church, and the gospel, with a winsome, encouraging, and culturally engaged faith.

• Serve as a full-time faculty member within the College of Ministry, contributing to its academic and spiritual mission.
• Oversee student worship and ministry teams in relationship with Campus Ministries. This also includes oversight and management of external engagements with ministry/worship teams, including at summer camps, in churches, and Christian high schools.
• Teach multiple courses per academic year in the candidate’s area of expertise within Worship and Music Studies or the College of Ministry.
• Provide leadership to Northwest University's worship/gospel choir.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students.
• Serve as faculty lead for Worship and Music Studies and collaborate with the dean and faculty on curriculum development as appropriate.
• Operate as a resource to churches in our region through growing impact on worship.
• Participate in university governance and service responsibilities as assigned.
• Engage in scholarship appropriate to a tenure-track appointment.

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Worship Studies, Music Ministry, Music, Pastoral Studies, or a closely related field.
• Brings experience and credibility from leading worship in the local church.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in worship ministry leadership and conducting.
• Demonstrated administrative skill and experience.
• Experience leading a gospel choir or contemporary worship ensemble.
• Undergraduate-level teaching experience with evidence of effective instruction, advising, and mentoring (preferred)
• Collegial spirit and ability to collaborate within a faith-based academic community
• Strong commitment to teaching excellence and student formation.
• A vibrant, demonstrated Christian faith.
• Holds credentials with the Assemblies of God or is willing and able to pursue credentialing.
• Willingness to integrate a Christian worldview into teaching, mentoring, and ministry leadership.

Salary is dependent on education and experience and aligned with the established faculty salary schedule at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank.
(Current range: $60,564-$75,704)

For full consideration, applicants should submit:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae (including courses taught)
• Documentation of conducting and worship ministry leadership (video acceptable)
• Three professional references with contact information
• Statement describing how Christian faith shapes the candidate’s approach to worship and music studies
• Brief narrative of personal faith journey and current church involvement
• Optional statement outlining future scholarship goals

Application Submission

Please email application materials to:

Joshua Ziefle
Dean, College of Ministry
joshua.ziefle

Search procedures will be closed, when a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified. Applicants are urged to provide sufficient information, so that the application file may be considered complete at the end of the search period.

Northwest University is a Christian coeducational undergraduate and graduate institution, related to the Assemblies of God, offering baccalaureate and master's, and doctoral level education. The sixty-acre campus is located in Kirkland,…