Pastors of small churches are often the only staff member for their churches (or multiple churches in many instances). In these types of ministry settings, it often falls on the pastor to not only preach and preside, but also plan the liturgy and organize or even lead the music. While seminary education in the U.S. and Canada often prepares pastors well for preaching and other pastoral duties, it does not prepare them well for the task of leading congregational song. We believe that by providing some basic skill-building sessions for pastors in these types of calls, we can help them encourage and enliven their congregations’ song.
We are currently seeking opportunities for 2019 to meet with small groups of pastors serving small churches that would like to learn how to better encourage and enliven their congregations’ song. If you would like to have The Center for Congregational Song provide a pastors’ song workshop in 2019, please email ccs@thehymnsociety.org with the subject line “Pastors’ Song Workshop.”
January 2023 – Online Course: An Introduction to the Church’s Song – An 8 session online course taught by Eric Mathis designed for working pastors and church musicians without a church music degree. Click Here for more information.