Introduction
Music accounts for at least 40 percent of the impact of a worship service....The music in [a] worship service may determine whether visitors return to your church and whether members feel that they have participated and been nurtured. Whether your congregation cherishes traditional sacred music “classics,” rock to contemporary praise and worship choruses, or enjoys a variety of musical styles, the quality and content of the music in worship will in large measure determine the vitality of the overall experience of the people. In other words, music and congregational song are important.
—From Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation: Worship, 2005-2008, pp. 17-18. Copyright © 2004 by Cokesbury. Used by permission.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The work of the church musician is often taken for granted because it happens behind the scenes; so if all is done well, the congregation worships on Sunday morning without even thinking about those efforts. Among the many tasks performed by the musician, three of the most important include planning, playing, and directing. In some churches these tasks are performed by one person and in others by several.
- Planning: The musician works with the pastor and worship leaders to plan the worship services and select appropriate music. This may involve pre-selecting themes and seasons, special days, and lectionary readings, and gathering a variety of resources (Bible, hymnal, The United Methodist Book of Worship, supplemental music resources, and so forth). The musician may select music for worship—hymns, choir music, solos, instrumental music, service music, communion hymns and settings, and music for preludes, offertories, and postludes—often planning weeks and months ahead to allow for adequate preparation. Additional areas of planning include special services, seasonal events, Christmas or Easter music, music for youth and children, and vacation Bible school.
- Playing: Whether it be by organ, piano, keyboard, guitar, or other instrument, an important task of the musician is accompanying congregational singing—of hymns, choruses, prayer responses, acts of worship, the Psalter, and other service music. Other opportunities for the church musician to play may include the offering of music for prelude, postlude, offertory, communion, or quiet meditation. Musicians may also be called upon to accompany non-congregational music, such as solos, choirs, and instrumentalists.
- Directing: The tasks of the music leader sometimes include physically directing congregational singing, as well as directing non-congregational choirs, praise teams and bands, and instrumentalists. Most directors also assume the primary responsibility for recruiting singers and instrumentalists.
—From "When There Is No Musician in the Church" by Dean McIntyre, www.UMCmusic.org
As music leader, an important part of your ministry also involves leading congregational members in music experiences so they:
- May grow in understanding the Christian faith and music's role in that faith.
- Will develop and strengthen their relationship with God.
- Will become better equipped for daily living as faithful Christian disciples.
- Will gain basic music skills so that they may effectively serve the church as music leaders.
--Adapted from "Job Description for the Music Director in a United Methodist Congregation" (www.gbod.org/worship).
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