Our Savior Lutheran Church
Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norfolk, NE is looking for a Production Resident to join their team.
Expected Work Hours: 40-50 hours per week
Expected Pay: $1,800 per month
What are your greatest hopes and dreams for the next couple of years for your church?
In regard to our worship ministry, our greatest hopes and dreams are to have a fully staffed worship team that encourages continued volunteer and staff excellence. Our goal is to maximize the use of our recent equipment upgrades, and to improve worship experiences for our growing congregation.
Why did you choose to do a residency & what are you hopeful will happen through this process?
We are encouraged by the coaching and training opportunities this process provides for our staff and resident. We value developing the next generation of leaders and believe in creating an environment where both resident and church staff can continue to grow. Our hope is that the emerging leader becomes equipped to thrive in ministry.
As we explored staffing options, we were introduced to Leadership Pathway. We are encouraged about the potential for leadership development and long term impact through the residency program.
What is it like to work on staff there?
Our staff is dedicated to the mission and vision of Our Savior Lutheran Church, “Pointing People to Christ.” With 22 staff members of varying backgrounds, we utilize each other’s strengths and weaknesses in a team-structured model.
Does your church’s website state the mission, vision, values and key distinctives of your church? Please paste the link:
YES! - https://www.oursav.org/about-us
Please describe the current staff structure.
We are structured into four teams – administration, discipleship, worship, and pastoral. Each team specializes in and coordinates their area of ministry.
What qualities does it take to “win” on staff at your church?
Time management and a strong work ethic – be a strong self-starter who can work well in a team environment.
Who will the resident report to? Will there be a different person acting as coach? What do you know about their personalities (enneagram, DiSC, Strength Finders, etc.) Have you given thought as to what type of personality will work best with them?
The resident will report to the Director of Worship Arts, Hannah Cmeyla. They will also work closely with the Associate Director of Worship Arts, Evan Johnson. These two directors will coach the resident. Evan and Hannah have worked together for a year and a half, and complement each other well (Evan – Type B; Hannah – Type A). We can be very flexible with any personality, given the range between us.
Are there particular assessment tools that you prefer when exploring potential staff people?
We evaluate both hard skills like technical skills and background and assess their soft skills such as conflict management, time management, organization, leadership, etc.
Are you affiliated with a particular denomination or tribes/association of churches? If so, what websites could one investigate to gain further understanding?
We are associated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/worship.
What are the key doctrinal and theological issues where alignment is essential?
Our key doctrinal and theological beliefs are outlined in our statement of faith, the Apostles’ Creed. However, it is most important to us that the resident believes in Jesus. There is room for further discussion with our pastors on specific subjects of faith during their residency.
What is your average weekend attendance?
About ~1,000 in-person, and about ~500 on our online platforms.
In general, what is your church demographic?
The average age in our congregation is 25 yrs old. We are surrounded by farm communities. Our demographic is primarily mono-cultural, and we are working to invite a more diverse community.
Is there more than one site or venue? If so, please describe.
Yes, as of Sept 2026, we have a second site in Leigh, NE (about 35-40 min away). About 2 years ago, we were asked to fill the church’s pastoral vacancy, and our responsibilities slowly expanded to involve their children’s, youth, and music ministry. Over the last year, we discussed, organized, and finalized a merger. OSLC Leigh has approximately 100 active members, with a sizable children’s ministry program.
How many conversions has your church had in the past 12 months? (however you define this and whatever you count)
We have had 147 new members and 82 baptisms since January 2026. We do infant and adult baptisms.
What percentage of people are involved in a small group?
There have been 347 adults involved in small groups in 2026.
What is your church known for in the community?
Our Savior Lutheran Church is known for our “vibrance” – nearly every visitor says we are “welcoming.” Our worship ministry is a common factor in “why do you attend OSLC?” We also do a number of community outreach / engagement events throughout the year that have shown a great impact.
How much are you planning on financially compensating your resident? Is it set or is it flexible?
We will provide housing, and approximately a gross $1,800/mo. This number is flexible. They will also receive full-time health insurance benefits and a retirement plan.
What are the expected work hours and what does a typical workweek look like for this resident?
The expected work hours are 40-50 hr/week. The office is open from 8:00AM – 4:00PM Monday – Friday, but the resident will be expected to work in-office Monday – Thursday, with weekend hours and rotational Wednesday evening hours.
What else would you say to a resident considering joining your team?
We aren’t only co-workers, but friends and a family. We support each other and lean on one another. Working where you worship opens the door to potential faith / life imbalances. It is important to make a personal plan for your faith walk, and to make healthy choices that prioritize a work / life balance.
