Q&A


Tim Brendler, FPCA’s new director of worship, talks about what led him to our church and what ideas he has in store for our services


How does your background prepare you to lead worship in both traditional and alternative formats?


In the past eight years, I have journeyed through a period of deliberate, academic, and spiritual formation. Tis journey has brought me to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota; Baylor University in Waco, Texas; Truett Teological Seminary in Waco; Providence Hospice in Waco; and Camp Johnsonburg in Johnsonburg, New Jersey. My time in these places and serving in a variety of leadership positions has molded me into the pastoral musician God is calling me to be. I have had the privilege of leading worship in a variety of styles and locations, from Anglican chant to German chorales; from Sacred Harp to Taizé; from the folk music of the British Isles to that of David Crowder; from singing choral masterworks with the


renowned organist Isabelle Demers to singing beside the inspirational worship leaders of the Antioch Christian Community; from the busy streets of Hong Kong to a remote village in Malaysia; from Saint-Étienne du Mont to the streets of Nairobi. Tese diverse experiences have opened my eyes to the depth and breadth of the Church’s song.


What attracted you to FPCA?


When a professor at Baylor University sent me the details of the position at FPCA, I was blown away by this church’s commitment to welcoming a diverse body of believers. Also, the depth of our church’s music ministry is really stunning. Above all else, though, I was drawn to FPCA because of its long-standing youth choir traditions. Charged to equip our youth for life’s journey, it is both a joy and a privilege to be a part of this church’s next- generation ministries.


What roles will you play in FPCA worship services?


As the director of worship, I’ll be conducting an array of ensembles, accompanying the children’s choir, leading congregational hymn singing from the organ, singing with the 10:10 band, and occasionally joining Phil Henderson on the keys.


What plans do you have for our worship services?


In the 10:15 traditional worship bulletin, you may have noticed a new phrase: “Hymn of the Day.” Tis middle hymn, which comes after the


Affirmation of Faith, is chosen to encompass the key concepts of the scripture passage and sermon that day.


Next, you will notice that the choirs have been processing every Sunday. In addition to leading the hymns each week, this provides us the opportunity to have the choirs sing from the narthex during the Preparation for Worship.


I am also passionate about “world music,” and thus you will begin to sing and hear music from other traditions and languages from around the globe.


In the alternative services, we have begun to include a greater staff presence as leaders within these services during prayers, children’s time, and announcements. In addition to our full band leading a service, we will also be offering an intimate, acoustic, alternative worship service on Christmas Eve.


Finally, I plan to implement a midweek Vespers service—a brief, 30-minute, contemplative service of prayer. Te format of Vespers will vary each week to include Taizé, folk, Celtic, and other settings. As we begin the Advent season, be on the lookout for our first Vespers service. We will begin this tradition with Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer, a simple Vespers setting.


What are you excited about?


Not only am I excited to be serving alongside such a gifted staff, I am thrilled to be a part of a community that will not only support but also challenge me to continue my growth as a disciple of Christ.


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