Scripture, sermon, music and prayers are most effective when they form a cohesive unit, complementing and enhancing one another. A well-chosen anthem may illuminate a scripture passage for someone in a way that the words alone cannot achieve. Hymns, whenever possible, should be chosen to reinforce the scripture passages in the service. Thematic unification of music with other elements in the service invites the congregation to explore the role of music in worship from a unique perspective. Just as you can't see a solar eclipse by looking directly at the sun, music can be the filter that allows you to see God more clearly.

A church's music program should be solidly grounded in the traditional music of the church. Bach, Handel, Mozart– their works have endured because they speak at a level that transcends the everyday, the current popular culture. They touch something of the eternal in people. These works serve as a history, a roadmap showing how the church has evolved. It is a particular challenge of church musicians to sort through the sea of contemporary music that is available today and select those pieces that have this same strength of character.

To complement this foundation, it can be very engaging to incorporate non-traditional musical forms and styles into worship. Taizé, Dixieland, gospel, folk, jazz – all these and more can broaden a congregation's experience, bring a new perspective to worship. It is admirable when church musicians recognize their individual limitations and invite outside groups to accurately represent any idioms in which they are not comfortable working.

The strength of any parish music program is measured in significant part by its volunteers. Parishioners who take part in worship and fellowship opportunities, whether through singing in the choir or ringing hand bells, tend to have a very personal commitment to the success of the program. While some churches are fortunate enough to have exceptionally strong all-volunteer choirs, paid section principals can be used to great advantage to bolster the confidence of the group. Paid singers give a choir the foundation necessary to learn works that are somewhat beyond its skill level, and it is so important to introduce choirs to excellent music – even if the resources for performing it are not ideal. All too often, church is the only outlet that amateur musicians have, and giving them the opportunity to learn works that they might otherwise only hear can be a great joy.

A strong children's program is the pipeline that eventually feeds the rest of the music ministry. It is essential to encourage an early love of music in young children. It is a valuable teaching tool and their enthusiastic participation in music connects them to the church, socially and spiritually, giving them a basis for stewardship and involvement that often lasts as they grow up.

Educating the public is an important component of any art, and perhaps even more so in church music, where offerings can be mistaken for “performances” and musicians are often perceived as “difficult” or “elite.” A strong pattern of communication between the Director of Music and the congregation – educating the parish about why the choir is singing from a different location this morning, for example – goes a long way towards dissolving some of the lines that seem to separate musicians from congregation. Translations of texts sung in other languages reduce the perception of exclusivity, and music offered during worship can be more meaningful if the congregation knows something about the history of each piece and the reasons for its inclusion in a service.

Music is a tremendous opportunity for outreach, and it is important to maximize this aspect of the ministry. Offering the church's facilities and resources for use by the larger community, inviting outside groups to participate in worship, initiating choir exchanges with other churches, offering a concert series – all increase the church's visibility and presence in the community, drawing in people who might not otherwise think they have a reason to come to church. Music is a subtle and effective evangelical tool.

I believe that a church's music program should be designed and developed for the people and be both intellectually and aesthetically accessible. I also believe in expanding a congregation's boundaries and encouraging it to experience a broader range of musical possibilities. Religion isn't easy – It questions and challenges, engages and comforts. The music that bears witness to that religion should do all of these things as well.