Blest be the ties that bind similar others

“Blest be the ties that bind our heart in Christian love,

The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.”

 (John Fawcett, 1782)

This past week I had three remarkable conversations with church musician colleagues—to shield their identities, let's call them Joe, Jeri and John—that reminded me of what a privilege it is to be the Executive Director of Polyphony in this season of my life.

Joe and I caught up over the phone. He is serving a church with a long church music legacy but, like so many of our churches, the adult choir is smaller than it once was and there are fewer people in the pews. As if these realities were not daunting enough, Joe is serving with a senior pastor who struggles with self-awareness. I was pleased to hear Joe say that, in spite of these challenges, the music ministry is thriving and the personnel committee has been supportive. Life is not easy but it is good.

Jeri met with me at lunch to discuss some fund-raising ideas for Polyphony. In both church and college positions she has shown a real gift for setting financial goals and inviting donors into the vision. I asked her for some advice on some long-range plans our Polyphony board is discussing; she not only helped me think strategically about ideas already under consideration but gave me a number of new ideas to consider and take back to our board. Since I became Executive Director of Polyphony I’ve had to learn a lot about fundraising. Jeri’s advice was both practical and encouraging: There are generous people out there who will support Polyphony when we tell them our story.

John and I met for coffee after lunch. He is serving a church in one of those Carolina towns where the loss of jobs and population have weakened a once flourishing church. In order to have a full-time job with adequate compensation, my friend is wearing multiple hats and responsible for a number of tasks that are not related to worship and music. As I listened I could hear the anxiety in his voice. And yet he said something really beautiful: “I love these people and they love me.”

I had all three of these conversations in the course of one day.

Over and over again I am inspired by the ministries of members of our Polyphony network. I see so many of you doing remarkable work and impacting people’s lives without much acknowledgment or affirmation.

In Notre Dame professor and researcher Matt Bloom’s helpful book, Flourishing in Ministry: How to Cultivate Clergy Wellbeing, he talks about the importance of “similar others.” These are colleagues who understand what you do and what it takes to do it. This is why church musicians need church musicians and this is why our Polyphony network exists. Yes, the resources for worship matter; Sundays come around rather frequently! But most importantly, we want to create a space where “similar others” can find one another and stay connected.

I want to invite you to open your calendar or your calendar app and add the dates of our 2027 conference in Greensboro:

Thursday–Saturday, February 4–6.

Come and be with your “similar others!”

Blest be the ties that bind.

Indeed.