Are there Benchmarks for Music Ministry?

I’ve been thinking about benchmarks lately…

A Benchmark is a measurable standard, most often applied to technology, as in, for instance, how fast a computer chip is, compared to the standard benchmark. Benchmarks can be applied in other arenas as well, of course. A company called the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) offers an assessment package for leaders, described thusly:

Benchmarks assesses 16 competencies that CCL researchers identified as being critical to successful management:

Leading the Organization

Strategic Perspective

Being a Quick Study

Decisiveness

Change Management

Leading Others

Leading Employees

Confronting Problem Employees

Participative Management

Building Collaborative Relationships

Compassion and Sensitivity

Putting People at Ease

Respect for Differences

Leading Yourself

Taking Initiative

Composure

Balance Between Personal and Work Life

Self-awareness

Career Management

Potential For Derailment
In addition, Benchmarks helps your managers identify five potential flaws that may stall or derail a promising career:

Problems with Interpersonal Relationships

Difficulty Building and Leading a Team

Difficulty Changing or Adapting

Failure to Meet Business Objectives

Too Narrow Functional Orientation

(By the way, I take no position on the quality of CCL’s services, which I have never used, nor am I being paid to write this.)

In my role as managing contributor at Monday Morning Email, my colleagues and I spend a lot of time talking about many of the things on that 16 point list above. I would agree that if a person has a positive quotient for those traits, you’re probably going to find a leader. How good a leader may be open to debate…but that’s not why we’re having this talk…

As I said, I’ve been thinking about benchmarks as they relate to the standard/mission critical tasks of music ministry. Are there benchmarks for which all church musicians might agree are “standards”? Here’s one list, from Rick Waynick, Director of Music at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, Virginia:

Among the many things used by the church to celebrate its faith, sacred music is exceedingly important. Sacred music forms an integral and necessary part of the liturgy. The function of sacred music in the liturgy is to serve not dominate. Sacred music heightens texts and helps the congregation express and share their faith. Sacred music that is done well helps to promote good liturgical celebrations and can nourish faith. Sacred music is meant to unite the congregation. Directors of Music are those folks who encourage and lead the congregation in their sung praise and prayer. They encourage active participation in the liturgy by means of hymnody, psalmody, responses, antiphons, and mass settings. Music directors also help members of the choirs, instrumentalists and cantors view their contribution as a genuine liturgical function of worship. Sacred music in worship is not an end itself but rather contributes to the prayerful atmosphere of the congregation.

Following are what I think are important benchmarks for an effective music ministry:
* Sacred music is valued as a gift from God and supported by the clergy and congregation.
* The function of sacred music is ministerial.
* All involved with the music ministry ought to have a biblical understanding of the nature of worship, sacred music, and liturgy.
* The music ministry takes place within the context of the church with a shared understanding of its purpose and mission.
* Members of the music ministry are servants with a clear understanding and a passionate commitment to the part they play in that mission.
* The music ministry is a team who work together towards common goals, show love and support for
one another, and deal biblically and appropriately with conflict.
* Standards are set by the Director of Music based on the ability of each choir.
* The Director of Music participates in continuing education.
* Sacred music is carefully chosen and planned.
* The new hymnody repertoire is regularly and systematically reviewed.
* The music ministry is technically, aesthetically, and expressively good and suitable for liturgy and effective for the congregation.
* The music ministry includes a multi-choir program for children and adults.

Some of Rick’s list are “mom and apple pie” kinds of things, but many are useful things to which a music ministry leader might aspire.

In my next post I want to begin to set down some “practical” benchmarks for key music ministry leadership. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you think. Should there be benchmarks in ministry? What should they be?

Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Ipod shuffle status: 2725 (Beethoven: Piano Sonata #3 (Pathetique) movement #2 Adagio Catabile – Vladimir Askenazy) of 7875

…

Get my EBook The Choir in Modern Worship