Musician-Clergy Relations

The relationship between clergy and musician is perhaps the most critical one on a church staff, and this workshop will explore the dynamics that come into play as well as mutual expectations: what clergy want musicians to know and what musicians wish the clergy to know. Emphasis will be placed on practical ways to build a strong, mutually supportive relationship that enables the congregation to flourish and empowers both musicians and clergy.

Presenter(s): Eileen Guenther

Eileen Guenther is Associate Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, where she teaches music and worship courses and directs the music program. She leads workshops nationally for churches, musical and denominational organizations, focusing on the areas of clergy-musician relations, Spirituals, and music and social justice. In her second term as President of the AGO, Dr. Guenther has performed around the US and in Europe, South America, and Korea. Eileen has led seminary students on immersion trips to South Africa and has taught in Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Cote d’Ivoire as guest lecturer, and was formerly Minister of Music and Liturgy at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC.