Rivals or a Team?

Collaboration between clergy and musicians is vital to the ministry of the Christian church. This book explores the importance of teamwork, identifying ways in which musicians and clergy can exercise their separate roles effectively, and suggesting strategies for building supportive relationships. Including heart-felt testimonies from musicians and clergy, Guenther takes a clear-eyed look at conflict, reasons musicians leave a church, and approaches for transition when the situation just does not work any longer. This distinguished church musician and seminary professor encourages musicians and clergy to work together with mutuality and collegiality in order to fulfill the promise of their ministry. Forward by Paul Westermeyer.

Collaboration between clergy and musicians is vital to the ministry of the Christian church. This book explores the importance of teamwork, identifying ways in which musicians and clergy can exercise their separate roles effectively, and suggesting strategies for building supportive relationships. Including heart-felt testimonies from musicians and clergy, Guenther takes a clear-eyed look at conflict, reasons musicians leave a church, and approaches for transition when the situation just does not work any longer. This distinguished church musician and seminary professor encourages musicians and clergy to work together with mutuality and collegiality in order to fulfill the promise of their ministry. Forward by Paul Westermeyer.

Eileen Guenther is Associate Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary and Professorial Lecturer in music at The George Washington University. An organ recitalist who has performed around the world, Dr. Guenther also lectures widely on clergy-musician relations, global music, spirituals, and music and social justice. She has served as visiting lecturer at Africa University in Zimbabwe and taught music and worship in Uganda and Ivory Coast. South Africa holds a special place in her heart, and she has led six groups of students from Wesley Seminary on immersion trips there. Dr. Guenther served with distinction as minister of music and liturgy at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington D.C, where the choir was called "one of the best in Washington" by The Washington Post. She is in her third term as National President of the American Guild of Organists, the largest international professional organization serving the organ and choral music fields.