The Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM), a program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Episcopal Church, consists of six courses, ten classes in each course, offered during a two-year period. Four classes are taught each year on ten Saturdays. All include components of lecture, written assignments, practical application, and reflection. Participants worship together, receive instruction in each of four classes, enjoy social time, build collegial relationships, and return to their congregations with increased vocational awareness, heightened commitment to music ministry, and increased sense of self-worth as lay ministers. Course curriculum includes Leadership of Congregational Song (organ and vocal tracks); Hymnody; Liturgy and Music; Principles of Choral Leadership; Teaching New Music to the Congregation; Resources for Effective Music Ministry; and Philosophy of Church Music.

Twelve students are participating in the first year of the 2004-2006 Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) in our synod. Classes meet at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey on the third Saturday of every month. The Lower Susquehanna Synod has provided in-kind support of the Leadership Program for Musicians. A synod staff person, Pam Drenner, relates to the Leadership Program for Musicians and provides administrative support for workshops, class sessions, and events. This synod’s Leadership Program for Musicians is considered a mission partner of the synod in that it does not receive funds from the general budget, but may receive donations from congregations and individuals to support LPM and help subsidize tuition monies. In 2005, we received a grant from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship which subsidized tuition costs for our current students.

Thank you to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hershey, for their gracious hospitality in hosting this program. Also, thank you to the members of the LPM Advisory Board for their commitments of time and talent. Members of the board are Timothy E. Braband; Susan Erickson; Susan Horn; Robert C. Lau; Dexter Weikel; and Pam Drenner, staff liaison.

Pamela B. Drenner, Resource Network director

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