Musical Mission: An Exploration of Musical Spirituality
Music and Spirituality Conference 2025
Since the beginning of the Church, music has profoundly shaped the patterns of Christian worship. As a powerful form capable of moving hearts and directing desires, Christians have often grappled with how to integrate this complex and yet deeply essential form of praise. What is the right balance between emotivity of musical expression and the rationality of the spoken word? Should the music of the church reflect cultural trends or have its own unique form and style? So often, these questions come into being in the working relationship of ministers who lead liturgy and the musicians who support them. While there is real potential for partnership between these roles, musicians and clergy are often focused on the criteria unique to their disciplines. This opens up the question: what is the right way to reconcile these equally important and yet sometimes contrasting motivations? This conference offers a possible pathway by outlining a historically and theologically rich vision of music and spirituality, rooted in both prayer and practice. Sessions will address the crucial role of musical theology in Christian worship, the importance of prayer as a foundation, and how these aspects might help guide the healthy mission of clergy and musicians. The day will include talks, space for discussion and connection with others, times of prayer, and, of course, transformative musical worship. Whether clergy, musician, or simply a layperson passionate about the role of liturgical music in your parish, we hope you will join us in discovering new ways of glorifying God in our parishes and Christian communities through music.
Speakers
Emily Towner
Emily is a member of the Cor et Lumen Christi Community who are a contemplative/charismatic community. She has a particular interest in 16th century Spanish mystics and is an advocate of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in daily life (the 19th annotation).
2pm – Music Leadership: ‘Two Heads are Better Than One’
Presented live by RSCM
Join us for a conversation with Dean The Very Revd Abi Thompson and Director of Music Tom Daggett (Sheffield Cathedral); The Revd Sandy Clarke and Director of Music Jordan Theis (St Thomas on the Bourne, Farnham) on how clergy and music leaders can work in synergy. Sharing case studies showing how both ‘sides’ as they are so often characterised as can work together successfully as a team.
Venue: Holy Sepulchre, The National Musicians’ Church, London EC1A 2DQ