The ministry of music is one of the most significant ministries of the church. Simultaneously, it is one in which many decisions are made on assumptions or common practices that may or may not be accurate. Pastors also often have deep concerns they do not have opportunity to express.
As a service to the local church, CHRISTIANITY TODAY has designed the following questionnaire, directed primarily to the senior pastor. Your honest and considered replies will be of genuine help to others, as theirs may be to you. A summary will be published in a future issue of CT. For your observations to be included, your completed questionnaire should be received at CT no later than September 30, 1982.
Use a separate sheet of paper for items requiring longer answers.
General
1. In your opinion, what are the most significant issues today in church music? .
2. What significance does music have in your ministry? . Does it actually achieve the goals set for it?
3. Does your music ministry have a significant outreach into your immediate community? .
4. How would you appraise relevance and quality of music programs in evangelical schools? .
Are they meeting the needs of the church? .
Why or why not? .
The Pastor
1. Have you personally had any training in the theology and
practice of worship? . In hymnology? . In music? .
2. Do you meet regularly with your minister of music? .
3. Do you preach at every musical performance? .
The Ministry Of Music
1. What criteria do you use in selecting a minister of music? .
2. Is the minister of music ordained? .
3. Is your minister of music full-time? Yes No .
¾? ½? ⅓? Less than ⅓? .
4. Does your minister of music have theological training? . Formal music education? . If so, to what extent? . Professional music performance experience? .
5. To whom does the minister of music report? Senior pastor music committee board other .
6. What group(s) does the minister of music conduct? . Is the minister of music conductor of the adult choir? .The organist? .
Administration
1. Do you have a music committee? . How does it relate to the minister of music? . What are its primary responsibilities? .
2. Do you have choirs or ensembles other than the adult choir? . What kind . Do you have an orchestra? . A handbell group? .
3. How many are regularly in the adult choir? Are they auditioned? . How many are members of your church? Is such membership required for participation in the choir? . Does the choir include any students who are not affiliated with your church? .
4. Do any of your regular groups depend on nonchurch members for more than 5 percent of their membership? . If so, which groups?
5. What is your total music budget? $.
6. What do you pay the minister of music? $. The organist? $. Are any other music positions salaried? . If so, to what extent? .
7. What kind(s) of repertoire do your groups use? .
8. Do you have a sanctuary organ and/or piano? . What kind(s)? .
9. When do your groups rehearse? Where? .
The Hymnal
1. What hymnal(s) do you use?
2. What are your basic criteria in selecting a hymnal? .
3. What percentage of the hymns in the hymnal do you think you use? %.
4. When did you last purchase a hymnal? .
Special Ministries
1. How often do you have concert-type programs? .
How long are they? .
2. What effects do Christian recordings, radio, and television have on your music ministry? .
3. What effects do touring groups and guest artists have? .
On what basis do you invite outside artists? .
Your Church
1. Is the church in a denomination? . If so, please give the full name .
2. What is the population of the city/town in which your church is located? .
3. What is the normal attendance at your morning service(s)? Evening? Concerts? .
It is not necessary to sign your name. However, if you do not mind giving your name, is there any portion of your response (in addition to salaries) on which you would not wish to be quoted?
Mail your completed response to: CT Music Survey, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, Illinois 60187.
