cal or theological training, she said.
“When someone participates in LPM and then takes what they’ve learned back to their congregation, that assembly’s worship is greatly enlivened and strength- ened,” she added.
Ritter already had a master’s degree in church music when he attended LPM in 1996 and “learned more than I ever imagined,” he said. The curriculum answers many questions, he said: “How do you … choose appropriate hymns for different liturgical seasons … teach a congre- gation a new piece of music … work collaboratively with clergy … accompany a service with organ, piano, guitar or just voices … utilize the gifts of all the people in the congregation?”
Because Lutherans and Episcopalians “have a shared
liturgical experience of Sunday mornings, [LPM] has been a really positive marriage,” he added. Not only can Lutherans take advantage of Episcopal resources, but “having these great Lutheran liturgical minds [in LPM] brings us a different and fresh perspec- tive. Now every time we have a baptism at All Souls, we use the ELW liturgy for the renewal of baptismal vows. It’s a wonderful thing,” he added.
Flexible courses, sites
Most participants are church musicians like Ritter or Lefever-Hughes, but others like Levenhagen lack musical training.
Jennifer Baker-Trinity, one of the LPM curriculum writers and a church musician, said this blend of skilled church musicians with others “who want to better under- stand what they’re doing” works well because program leaders focus the courses and instructors around the par- ticipants. For example, leaders once adapted a children’s choir course when participants’ congregations were so small they needed “to talk about generations singing, wor- shiping together,” Jahr said. Location is also flexible. “A musician doesn’t have to pick up and move to a city where there is a music or semi- nary program. Instead, LPM can come to them,” Lefever- Hughes said. A local LPM program has one or two nationally trained coordinators, usually appointed by their synod, diocese or geographic area. Today there are six LPM programs (Atlanta, central
New York, North Carolina, northwestern Minnesota/ Dakotas, Texas-Louisiana and Virginia) with several new regions to come in fall 2014. Past programs have trained music and worship leaders in more than 25 other states. Each program has different meeting times and costs. Some pay faculty a small stipend; others reimburse mile-
age and other expenses. While some meet 10 times a year, others meet five times and have an overnight component, Jahr said.
Community of support Participants aren’t the only ones who benefit—even fac- ulty “learn and gain so much,” Jahr said. “It’s exciting for me to see students grow, try out new things in their con- gregations and start dialogues with their pastors that they haven’t had before.” LPM offers faculty and participants a community of support, he said. “This opens a lot of doors because it’s really common for church musicians, especially in rural areas, to feel rather isolated and not have a network of support,” Jahr added.
But it all comes back to the congregation. “So many people asked to lead the musical life of their church might be trained as a musician at some level or another, but have never been taught what that means in a worship environ- ment,” Baker-Trinity said.
“Music is such a powerful way to communicate the gospel. It doesn’t need to be artistically beautiful or per- fect. What matters is that leaders are confident, prepared and skilled enough so everyone wants to join in. I’d love to see every synod have an LPM program to energize the musical lives of congregations.”
How it began T
he Episcopal Church launched the Leadership Program for Musicians in 1995 to help musicians in congregations with an average worship attendance of 100 or fewer (
www.lpm-online.org). In 1999 the ELCA became a full partner in LP M. Although it is ELCA and Episcopal-led, LPM’s two- year curriculum is open to anyone. To date 85 classes have graduated with more than 500 LPM certificates awarded. Taught and coordinated by local clergy and musi- cians, LPM considers each participant’s musical skills and need for liturgical education and spiritual formation. Participants can be musicians, clergy or others who care about the mission of building up music in churches. Scott Weidler, ELCA program director for worship and music, said, “I’m excited about the possibilities and eager for there to be an LPM program in many of our synods. It takes time and commitment for leaders to get a program rolling, but it is well worth the wait.” Want to see an LPM program in your area? Contact
Weidler at 800-638-3522, ext. 2554; scott.weidler@
elca.org.
July 2013 31
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