Because my primary role at West Coast Baptist College is to oversee the music department, I am constantly asking whether or not we are effectively preparing our students for the work of music ministry. As you can imagine, the skills and knowledge required for this position vary from church to church. In some cases, a music pastor is responsible for other ministries such as youth or media. More often than not, any staff member who has some level of musical skill is tasked with leading the worship and music ministry of the church, regardless of their level of formal training.
A question that people often pose is, “Why study music in college? How can that work out practically for my life? Can’t I just study music on the side?”
Answering those questions would require a treatment of this question: What are the skills and characteristics of an effective music pastor? If you equate music ministry to simply learning to sing and wave your hands, then your questions are justified. I believe it is much more, and I am not alone in this opinion.
In his dissertation in 1980, D. R. Beardon identified twelve core competencies required for a music ministry leader: Philosophy and History, Hymnody, Worship Planning, Musicianship, Personal Performance, Vocal, Choral Conducting, Choral Planning and Background, Children’s Music, Other Musical Training, Instrumental Music, and Church Music Administration.
John D. Witvliet identifies three essential skills for a career in music ministry: musical aptitude, organizational proficiency, and pastoral heart.
Kevin Navarro emphasizes that a worship leader must be a theologian, disciple, artist, and leader.
In Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness o f God, Bob Kauflin defines a worship leader as one who “magnifies the greatness of God in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit by skillfully combining God’s Word with music, thereby motivating the gathered church to proclaim the gospel, to cherish God’s presence, and to live for God’s glory.”
As I read those opinions of some who have far more education and experience in music ministry than I do, I feel a little overwhelmed by the task.
I’d like to offer these three primary categories as essential roles of a music pastor. These categories frame the way we train music directors at WCBC. It is our desire to assist churches and music directors in developing these skills through the master’s program, the Musicians Clinic at Spiritual Leadership Conference, and regional workshops and training.*
The music director is a pastor.
At WCBC, every student majors in Bible. This is no different for a music major. While we desire to hone your musical skills and artistic ability, none of this matters if we don’t first develop in you a hunger for God, His Word, and His work.
Beyond matters of personal discipleship, though, a music pastor is often given the great responsibility of leading and developing the worship of the church. Sometimes the senior pastor remains intimately involved with this task (Pastor Chappell certainly does), but sometimes the senior pastor completely delegates the responsibility to you.
I believe it is crucial that any man entering full-time ministry (music ministry or not) should have personally developed a theology of worship and philosophy of music. I believe that so much that I even started a class on this topic that is now required of all male students at WCBC.
We are all too prone to “parrot” the philosophies that fit our preferences without ever personally developing a biblical theology of music and worship. This is true on both ends of the philosophical spectrum. I deal more with this issue here.
This is also why I don’t believe an education in music at any school in the country can effectively train ministers of music. You might get the music, but you won’t get the heart of a pastor. You might learn theory, but you’ll lack in theology. Be mindful to select a place of study that will prepare you adequately for pastoral ministry as well as music.
To be an effective minister of music, you must be an effective pastor. Practically, this means you should train in Bible, ministry philosophy, ministry leadership, administration, and pastoral counseling. Your church looks to you for shepherding in matters of worship. Your choir looks to you as a model of Christian living. You’re more than a musician; you’re a spiritual leader.
The music director is an artist.
It would be easy to read the last section and think, “Good, I just need to major in ministry and take a music course or two and I’m set to be a music pastor!” While I know that describes many people’s situation (and we make what efforts we can to help and equip you), the truth is that the position of a music pastor requires musical skill and competency.
As a musical artist, the music pastor must develop a level of musical proficiency to not only carry him through his own responsibilities but also develop and inspire the abilities of his church members.
This is precisely why I believe it is not enough to have men who dabble in music in college. We need men who will give themselves to the calling of a worship leader. We need men who will put their hand to the task of rigorous practice, relentless trial and error, and passionate refinement of their musical ability in order to prepare excellent music for excellent worship.
Musical excellence is not the same as stuffy, showy performance. Without an extensive treatment of the topic here, we must understand that all aesthetic beauty is but an imperfect glimpse of the manifold beauties of our God. It behooves us to endeavor to offer God the best that we can possibly give Him.
The church music program will rarely rise above the ability of its leadership. If you are considering a life of service in music ministry, you must develop your skills in the different areas of the profession.
At WCBC, every music major receives training in piano, vocal technique, choral conducting and rehearsal methods, music theory, music history, church music administration, hymnody, and worship philosophy. While we would rarely use the word “performance” to describe what we do, we do not apologize for holding a high standard of excellence for every special and every area of music ministry.
The music director is an educator.
It is one thing to train and become proficient in any area. It is something completely different to teach others to do the same. While we model Christian living and musical excellence, we must also equip those under our authority to do the same.
I train by the motto that every music director is a music educator. There is no position in church music ministry that justifies highly educated performers who don’t teach. A choral conductor who sees himself as a performer but not a teacher will inevitably lord over his choir throwing tantrums when their musicality doesn’t meet his standards. A performer will often leverage his skill against those in leadership to get his way.
The difference between the “performer” mentality and the “educator” mentality is simply humility. The performer makes every service and every task about himself, choosing only those responsibilities and tasks that best elevate his skill and position.
An educator, on the other hand, looks for ways to give others opportunities to grow. He doesn’t consume every performance and opportunity for himself but looks for ways to build up and invest in others.
A performer looks for talent to use because it makes him look better. Once that talent burns out (and it will), it is discarded and replaced. An educator makes little deposits, day by day, ensuring that others will not only have the ability to try and fail, but also the opportunity to grow and do better.
Let me be clear: West Coast Baptist College is not interested in training performers. I would spend hours with a humble student who just wants to learn how to play piano for church long before I invest any time in someone wrapped up in his own talent.
Moving beyond these philosophical thoughts to the more practical: church musicians need to learn how to teach music. There is a great difference between being a musician and teaching music, and I believe it is an essential part of any music director’s résumé.
In conclusion, I believe these three categories outline the essential skills of a music director. Do you see now why I believe this ministry path is not only a valid course of study but also a necessary one? You’re not just learning to sing or play an instrument. You’re preparing to be an artistic pastor-educator. All three areas require adequate attention.
Why study music in college? Because we need men who will passionately lead our churches in meaningful, skillful, and excellent worship as we express to God and to the world around us all the manifold perfections of our Savior.
*If you are interested in scheduling a workshop for your choir or learning more about the training and enrichment opportunities, please send me an email at john.tyler@wcbc.edu. We would love to partner with you to enhance your music ministry!
References
Bearden, D. R. (1980) Competencies for a Minister of Music in a Southern Baptist Church: Implications for a Curriculum Developments (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, http://search.proquest.com/docview/303001187?accountid= 12829.
Hendricks, A. (2012) A Renewed Approach to Undergraduate Worship Leader Education (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, http://search.proquest.com/docview/251673383?accountid=12829
Navarro, K. J. (2001). The Complete Worship Leader. Baker Books.
Witvliet, J. D. (2003). Worship seeking understanding: windows into Christian practice. Baker Books.