One of the findings from our Polyphony research initiative, The Harmony Project, was that in order to flourish in their life and ministry church musicians need positive and productive working relationships with colleagues, especially with the senior pastor. While this may seem like a find that needed no qualitative data to verify it(!), more details emerged in our conversations with 100 church musicians.
There seems to be a spectrum of work relationships between church musician and pastor that ranges from positive and productive to benign neglect to terrible and toxic. While many church musicians expressed appreciation for their pastor, almost everyone interviewed had experienced a work relationship at some time in their vocational career that was less than positive.
While there is no webinar or video that can transform every relationship that has soured, we decided to engage some senior pastors in conversation on this topic in a two-part series.
First I interviewed Anne Jernberg Scalfaro, senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Denver, Colorado, and Andy Stoker, senior pastor, Central United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both Anne and Andy offer keen insights into how pastors and church musicians can work toward healthier relationships and collaborations.
Next, I interviewed Joe Stobaugh, senior pastor, University Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas.  Joe’s perspective is particularly interesting because early in his ministry career he served as a church musician before becoming a senior pastor. So, he has seen life from both sides of the aisle!
As I read some of the Harmony project interviews and hear the stories of painful, fractious working relationships, my heart breaks for some of our colleagues. Life is not fair. And sometimes good people lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
These videos cannot address every situation. But perhaps these conversations will be a resource to empower you to take a step towards a better working relationship.
Doug Haney
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