Description: Each local congregation has its own unique history, geographical and social location, demographic makeup, and mission. As ministers of music, we need to understand each of these aspects of our local church’s “worship culture” in order to choose and adapt musical resources that engage the mind, heart, and spirit of our congregation members. This workshop introduces models and methods from the social sciences, including ethnography, interviewing, and structured observation, that we can use to explore these dynamics within our congregations. It then highlights practical ways how we can use the insights we glean from these methods to more deeply understand and engage our congregations through song.
Location: Truett Seminary, Baylor University – Waco, Texas
Session Handout: Understanding Your Congregations Unique Music Culture (PDF)