1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
The Purpose of a director of music and worship arts is to equip and shepherd our musicians and worship arts leaders, and with the pastors, to guide and support the worship planning process. The ultimate goal is to support the vision of our church through the worship experience at each individual service.
The Pastoral Musician will be an accomplished musician and a dedicated Christian; one who maintains a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ and who encourages spiritual growth in the persons she/he works with and serves. The Pastoral Musician must also have an appreciation for the Reformed faith.
The Minister of Music, Worship & Fine Arts develops the ministries of music, drama, dance and the visual arts and incorporates these in the worship of the church so that the worship of the congregation is enhanced to the glory of God. This ministry ultimately helps the church fulfill her God-given vision, “to help people from our diverse community grow in their relationship with Christ and with each other.”
A Director of Music helps develop and lead the worship music ministry for the church, in consultation with the senior pastor and other team members, in a way that is consistent with the mission, values, and theology of the church community.
As more and more churches hire worship coordinators and directors of music, they are also writing job descriptions. A good job description can serve as a road map for the person entering the position and for others who engage in the process of worship planning and leadership.
The Worship Director should be fully devoted to God and to the church of Jesus Christ and be committed to expressing that devotion through heart-felt worship consistent with the Evangelical and Reformed tradition.
A sermon for Ascension Day.
Dr. Boogaart has extended his teaching ministry outward by leading many retreats and seminars and by teaching nearly weekly in area churches. He is the author of two books and many articles in Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought, and Western's Reformed Review. Dr. Boogaart also directs Western's Doctor of Ministry degree program.
Your worship planning has likely been marked by a good bit of intensity in recent weeks. The season of Lent followed by Holy Week and Easter require a great deal of effort by worship planners, preachers, and worship leaders. The services have hopefully all had a consistent theme focused on the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord.
This day-long conference exploring the meaning of the Ascension culminated in a community worship service at Woodlawn CRC. The conference and service were co-sponsored by the Dean of the Chapel, Calvin College, and the Center for Excellence in Preaching.
In all of our worship planning the principle that the Word of God is central must guide us. Since worship is our engagement with God, our group conversation with God, the Word must figure prominently.
The summer is a good time to draw the worship planners together to take a look at the season that is past.
