LCMS Worship Institute: S1Ep1. Musician and Pastor: A Faithful Partnership – John Berg and Sam Eatherton

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The two people that congregations depend on most to lead them in worship are, unfortunately, all too often at odds with each other. What should we know and do, as pastors and church musicians, in order to work together well? What can we learn from examples of successful (and unsuccessful) musician-pastor teams? Whether you have a file full of horror stories or have always had a perfect relationship with your colleague, this session will help to renew your zeal for working together to the glory of God in your parish.

Bios:

The Rev. John M. Berg is the associate pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Sheboygan, Wis. He previously served as pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church and Student Center in Vermillion, S.D., and Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wis. He also serves as the chairman of the Board of Regents for Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis. Pastor Berg received his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theology from CUW and Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW). Pastor Berg and his wife, Kathleen, have six children and two grandchildren.

Sam Eatherton has served as a kantor in Lutheran churches and schools for 28 years, teaching music to children and adults and leading congregational singing from the organ. His research interests include singing in the Early Church, the Lutheran heritage of church music and children’s musical education and leadership in church. His compositions for organ and choir are published by Concordia Publishing House.

This session recording is from the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music held July 9–12, 2024 in Seward, Neb. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/2024-institute-on-liturgy-preaching-and-church-music-resources.

Morning Prayer Venite from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Setting by Paul Soulek.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Worship ministry aims to nurture a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence and integrity in the presentation, distribution and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacraments. This ministry seeks to develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship, and promotes the Lutheran Service Book as the core worship resource for the LCMS while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the church. For more information: lcms.org/worship/institutes ; lcms.org/worship

Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission