Church Music Director's Handbook: Volume 1

You are a music director. Maybe you are paid a few days a week; probably you are doing this for the love. Either way, it’s a huge job. And it’s an important job – one which requires you to have your head around both the contentious theology of worship music, and the musical and relational challenges of building a team of creative people.

This book is about helping you sharpen your theology, define your role and vision, and build your team … at the same time as dealing with the day to day reality of music ministry – wrangling with flakey guitarists, practising hostage negotiation with the sound guys, and responding to 40 page complaint emails with grace.

Lending their gifts to the cause are:

Mark Peterson, the music minister at Holy Trinity Adelaide, and the writer of some incredible songs (See Him Coming, Hallelujah to the King of Kings, Highest Place) which are blessing congregations all over the world. (www.markpeterson.com.au)

Greg Cooper, who works in music ministry as a producer, songwriter, and trainer with EMU Music, and as a researcher with Effective Ministry. Until recently he served as Music Director at Christ Church St Ives in Sydney. Since 2005 he has written songs, recorded and toured with worship band Garage Hymnal, and has also had a number of well received solo releases. (gregcoopermusic.com)

Steve Crain, a veteran music director. He has been ministering at St Barnabas Broadway since shortly after the council of Nicea, and in that role has trained and discipled whole generations of musicians to steward their musical gifts. When not working at Barneys he freelances as a professional guitarist (listen at stevecrainmusic.com) and is available for church music training seminars.

Andrew Judd, who in 2004 was asked to put together the Annual Conference Band for the Sydney University Evangelical Union – which became Garage Hymnal. Andrew is also an Anglican Minister.