A Syllabus for Worship Arts Ministry for Church Re-Entry

As cities across the country slowly reopen parts of our everyday lives, church and worship leaders are rethinking the safest way for believers to come together again.

Clinton College’s Director of Choral Activities and professor of music Dr. Tony McNeill has compiled a syllabus of relevant information, resources and contacts to assist congregations with making the best decisions for re-entry and how they will safely practice worship in-person and online.

RECOMMENDED EDUCATION & EVENTS (UP-COMING)

7:00pm EST | Monday 01 June | Webinar/Workshop: “Ways To Keep Your Choir Rehearsing and Engaged During COVID-19" | Presenter: Maria A. Ellis (St. Louis, MO) | * F R E E * | Click here to access platform: YouTube Girl Conductor

6:00pm EST | Monday 08 June | COVID Conversations: Critical Collaborations : Mental Health, Clergy, and African American Communities | Advance Registration is strongly encouraged (use link provided) | Guest Presenter: Rev. Dr. Guy Robinson | Host: Pastor Tisha Dixon-Williams | * F R E E * | After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Tuesday 21 July – Thursday 23 July | #ReThinkingChurchVirtualSummit – An online conference for clergy and lay leaders. | Registration is now open at www.rethinkingchurchvirtualsummit.com | Confirmed speakers include Rev. Howard John Wesley, Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, and Dr. De La Torre Miguel. | Conference Facebook Page | Other speakers and panelists to be announced. | Host: LaKesha Womack

Christian Witness & Ministry in a COVID-Shaped World | A series of mini-courses (3 weeks per course) offered by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (Grand Rapids, MI) | Registration fees apply. | Click on the link provided to see full list of courses offered and registration information | Check out the promo video | #ContinuingEducation

VIDEO LINKS: PANEL DISCUSSIONS & PRESENTATIONS

• What Do Science & Data Say About the Future of Singing | Panel discussion with representatives from NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), Chorus of America, and the Barbershop Harmony Society | #HighlyRecommended | Two (2) hour video
• Faith in Action: How to Worship in the Era of COVID-19 | Panel discussion curated by The Honorable Reverend Al Sharpton (Faith Action Network) | A Facebook Live Event | Broadcast Date: Monday, May 25
• Part I: The Future of Choirs & Singers in a Pandemic | Panel discussion curated by Professor of Voice Dr. Valerie D. Johnson (NC A&T State University, Greensboro, NC) | A Facebook Live Event | Broadcast Date: Tuesday, May 19
• Part II: The Future of Choirs & Singers in a Pandemic | Panel discussion curated by Professor of Voice Dr. Valerie D. Johnson (NC A&T State University, Greensboro, NC) | A Facebook Live Event | Broadcast Date: Tuesday, May 26
• Concert, Calamities, and COVID: The Implications, Aftermath, and Hearing Our Songs Again | Panel discussion curated by Arts Journalist Patrick D. McCoy (Washington, DC) | A Facebook Live Event | Broadcast Date: Wednesday, May 27
• Pastoring Through A Pandemic Series | Several panel discussion videos created by the Dallas (TX) Black Clergy | *On-going series. Be sure to check the website for additional videos .
• Part I: A Choir Directors’ Brainstorming Collective curated by Maria A. Ellis – A response video to the joint panel discussion with NATS, ACDA, CHORUS AMERICA, and THE BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY.
• Part II : Let’s Get Creative: Church and Community Choir Edition | A virtual discussion, curated by Maria A. Ellis (St. Louis, MO), with church choir directors and community choir directors from across the country. #HighlyRecommended
• Three (3) Video Presentations, led by Rev. Dr. Martha Simmons, from her Facebook Live series “Preaching and Preachers.” | Each of these presentations focuses on effective strategies for re-entry for churches | Video #1 | Video #2 | Video #3 | I strongly encourage you to stay tuned for more installments (Mondays at 12 Noon. Check Dr. Simmons’ page for dates.)
• A Facebook Live webinar led by Rev. Dr. Martha Simmons | #PreachingAndPreachers | Topic: Uprisings and Re-Entry Strategies | Click here for the replay | Broadcast date: Mon 01 June 2020
• A discussion on worship with Pastor John Paul McGee (Senior Pastor, Hope Fellowship Church, Daytona Beach, FL) and Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Ijeoma Allen-McLaurin (Professor of Worship, Interdenominational Theological Center, ATL, GA).
• Video – How to Avoid Copyright Strikes When Live Streaming Your Worship Service | YouTube Tutorial by AJTheCEO
• This is Our Heart: A Conversation Around Re-Imagining Creative Expression in the Church & Community (Panel Discussion) | Facebook Live: Karlos Nichols or YouTube: Karlos Nichols or Karlos Nichols | Broadcast Date: 8:00pm EST, Sun 31 May

ARTICLES | DENOMINATIONAL STATEMENTS & RESOURCES | GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS | PROFESSIONAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

• 🚨 CDC GUIDELINES FOR CHURCHES AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS 🚨
• 24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return | Published by Ken Braddy, Jr. | April 18
• African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) International Health Commission offers two (2) resources: Guidelines for Reopening and Returning to Church Buildings – Comprehensive Document | Guidelines for Reopening and Returning to Church Building – Parishioners Edition
• To Sing or Not to Sing: COVID-19 Raises Health Concerns | Article written and published by Patrick D. McCoy on his website www.patrickdmccoy.com | Published May 23, 2020
• Churches May Reopen, But Many Services Won’t Have Singing | Article written by Adelle M. Banks (Associated Press) | Published May 17
• A Review of the NATS/ACDA/CHORUS AMERICA /BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY/PERFORMING ARTS MEDICAL SOCIETY Joint Panel Discussion on the Future of Singing and Choral Music | Article written and published by Zach Finkelstein for THE MIDDLECLASS ARTIST website | Published May 6
  
• Wisconsin Council of Churches Statement of Singing in Worship During COVID-19 (Document) | Click here to view the conversation with Executive Director, Kerri Parker, and Dr. Geoffery Swain
• Returning to Public Worship: Theological & Practical Considerations | Published by The Presbyterian Church, USA.
• 12 Helpful Signs from Worship Leaders During the Quarantine | Online Worship & Music Resources for Livestreaming | Published by the United Methodist Church Office of Discipleship Ministries
• The United Church of Christ – Coronavirus Resources
• Understanding Copyright Licensing – ChurchToday.com
• Copyright and Other Live Streaming Considerations You Can’t Ignore – ChurchToday.com
• Worship, Music, Copyright, and Faith Formation Resources for Use During COVID-19 Shelter in Place | Compiled by the Justice and Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ.
• Copyright Issues to Keep in Mind When Live Streaming from Your Ministry – Haivision.com
• Video – How to Avoid Copyright Strikes When Live Streaming Your Worship Service | YouTube Tutorial by AJTheCEO
• Disciples of Christ (DOC) - Worship in the Time of COVID-19 – Denominational Resources
• Episcopal Church of CT – Digital Communication and Worship Resources for COVID-19
• The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada: COVID-19 Resources
• Recommended Facebook Group: Ecumenical Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacramental Practices

NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

• The State of California Prepares Churches and Synagogues for Re-Entry with New Rules | ABC News 7, San Fransicso, CA
• The Washington Post: White House & CDC Disagree on Church Guidelines for Re-Entry | May 20
• The New York Times: Coronavirus Infections: How Talking Can Generate Droplets That Last Up to 14 Minutes | May 14
• Portland Press Herald: Choir May Have to Remain Silent Long After Society Reopens | by Bob Keyes | Published May 9
• Business Insider: CDC Removed Warning Against Congregational Singing in Worship While It Remains a “Super Spreader” Activity | posted May 29

TESTIMONIALS & OTHER LINKS

• Pastor Donnie McClurkin (NYC) responds you the White House decree to open houses of worship in NYC.
• Rev. Dr. CJ Rhodes DMin speaks about the state of #Mississippi’s guidelines for in-person worship. Very helpful video that could be applicable for any church.
• Rev. Dr. Charles Goodman is interviewed by The Common Seminary on his ministry and plan of action for COVID-19 re-entry. #HighlyRecommended
• Ursula Roberts Allen, a veteran nurse based in Washington, DC, makes an appeal to the African American community about COVID-19.

RECOMMENDED CONSULTANTS

• Take the guess work out of doing a #VirtualChoir. Roy Cotton and his company, WHATCHALLDOING?, want to help you make it happen. See flyer below for details. Contact Roy for a consultation and get your virtual choir started today!
  
• Rev. Timothy Farmer – The TechnoEvangelist – Featured on “Preaching & Preachers” with Dr. Martha Simmons (Facebook Live Series). Since the beginning of March 2020, Rev. Farmer has trained and helped over 100 churches get their worship services online. He provides services related to building your church app and also creating/updating your church website and other tech-related improvements. HE IS THE BEST!!!! The Call 2 Worship Group highly recommends him. Contact Rev. Farmer today for your consultation. Please inbox him on Facebook through the hyperlink provided or email him at info@farmertechgroup.com. Here are a few of the resources Rev. Farmer has made available: (Document) Essential Components of Virtual Worship | (Video Tutorial) Keys to Effective Streaming | (Video Tutorial) Creating a Virtual Church | (Document) Rebooting Your CPU (Church Property Usage) During COVID-19 – #HighlyRecommendedDocument for Re-entry.
  
• Minister Rodney Whitley (Baltimore, MD) – Audio-Visual / Worship Arts Media Consultant. Available for one-on-one or group training for effective use of audio/video equipment in your church. Min. Whitely also provides consultations on the integration of audio-visual with online streaming, marketing, audio/video editing, and he is a phenomenal organist/choir director/worship arts administrator. THE CALL 2 WORSHIP GROUP highly recommends Minister Whitley. Please inbox through Facebook using the link provided.
  

ABOUT DR. TONY MCNEILL

Dr. Tony McNeill is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC. He is also the Founder/Curator of The Call 2 Worship Group, an online resource for music ministers, worship artists, clergy and those who are passionate about worship ministry and education. Dr. McNeill has held teaching positions at Texas Southern University, Appalachian State University, and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. He has held full-time positions in worship and arts leadership at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC), Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA) and was also Artist-in-Residence at Park Avenue Christian Church (NYC). In addition to his work at Clinton College, Dr. McNeill keeps a demanding schedule as a consultant, guest choral conductor, conference worship leader, collaborator, accompanist, and mentor. He is a member of the gospel recording group Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers. | Contact: tmcneill@clintoncollege.edu | 910.502.3630 | 803.327.7402; Ext. #5663 | @drtonymac | Dr. Tony McNeill