Music and Worship Study Committee

         The Church in Conference approved the recommendation from the Coordinating Council to elect a Music and Worship Study Committee.  The congregation elected the following nine individuals to constitute this committee:

1. Judy Prater (plays the piano in the 9:30 service)
2. Diann Whisnand (plays the piano in the 9:30 service)
3. Brandi Gatlin (sings in the 11 service & leads children's choir)
4. Krystal Hernandez (sings in the 12:30 service)
5. Pam Thompson (participates in vocal ensembles and attends 11 service)
6. Kira Sienes (plays the piano; assists with youth ministry; attends 9:30 service)
7. Joshua Reinha (sings with youth band for "Remedy")
8. Brent McBain (involved in college ministry; attends 9:30 & 11 services)
9. Sylvia Riddle (teaches ladies on Sundays & Wednesdays; attends 11 service)

This is a very diverse group of individuals whose history at Calvary, networks of relationships, appreciation for music & worship, and a love for God and his church will provide for rich dialogue as they study the music and worship ministry in our church.

          Their task will be to study the needs in the music and worship ministry so as to determine what is the best way to staff this important ministry.  Our position of Pastor for Music and Worship is vacant and before setting a search process in motion to fill it, it is important to develop the profile for this position that will best meet the needs of our congregation.

         This committee will have its first meeting this Sunday afternoon (May 5).  They will determine their work plan and timeline.  Once the committee has concluded its work, they will submit a report to the personnel committee.  The personnel committee after reviewing the report should bring a recommendation to the church about how to move forward.

          Timing will be important.  We do not want the study process to last too long.  In fact, it would be ideal if the church could elect a search committee by its early fall Church in Conference.  We do want to make sure we are following God's leadership and timing, of course.

          (In a related manner to timing, we are grateful that Andy Muskrat agreed to serve as interim Worship Pastor for the 9:30 service during the months of April and May.  Andy recently accepted a position at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving as full-time Worship Associate.  He will assist the Worship Pastor in the English service and Andy will be responsible for the Spanish service.  We are happy for Andy and his family and grateful for his help during the next several weeks.  We will pray for him as he transitions to this new ministry and for Calvary as we seek God's direction during the interim time).

         Our church has changed much over the last five years and will probably continue to change in the years ahead.  We want to make sure that our staff structure is relevant to who we are today.  Nevertheless, in the midst of those changes, as Lead Pastor I am committed to leading our church to:

1. Provide quality ministry for all current Calvary constituents;
2. Have a vision for reaching those who are not in our church yet, including young people, young families with children, and all stages of adults;
3. Continue to provide vibrant English-language worship experiences for those whose music language is a moderation of traditional and contemporary styles and for those whose music language is a more modern contemporary style;
4. Continue to provide vibrant Spanish-language worship in a contemporary style;
5. Continue to foster one-church music & worship experiences on special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, etc., etc.;
6. While being sensitive to the congregation's needs and preferences, maintain a missional posture that reminds us that we are here not as consumers of services but as God's people on mission to redeem the world....until all peoples worship Him!

Some churches in our area have chosen to specialize in either a particular music style or a particular language.  That is one way to do ministry and reach a segment of the population.  Sometimes that means you end up with either a predominantly younger congregation where Senior Adults are not comfortable or the exact opposite: a Senior Adult congregation where younger adults do not attend.  The same thing can happen with a language group or an ethnic group.  Calvary has the unique opportunity to be a church that is inclusive of all age groups and entire families.  In one campus we can provide worship opportunities in more than one musical style and in more than one language.  Whoever our neighbors, workmates, or classmates maybe, they can find a place to connect at Calvary.  We can invite them confidently.

          I ask that you pray for this committee as they consider Calvary's needs and commitments.  So that we can follow God's direction in the staffing of our music and worship ministry.