Author: Susan Eernisse

A church choir, praise team, or instrumental ensemble doesn’t simply gather to sing or play for entertainment and recreation alone – there is an even greater purpose in gathering. When…

And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done…God rested from…

One of the great joys of being a professional or pastoral church musician is the opportunity to support and minister to the members of music ensembles and their families –…

We have asked for much from our ensembles and ourselves through the many weeks of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Remember the day after Easter? There was a beautiful aura…

I’ve observed a fairly consistent pattern in various church choirs and ensembles through the years: those who volunteer in music ministry tend to lead the way in service and outreach…

After much pondering and serious deliberation, I at last settled on my personal Word of the Year for 2026 – Renewal. I wasn’t just thinking about renewal as it relates…

It gets to me every single time. It’s Christmas Eve. Everyone in the packed sanctuary has a candle. For the last hour our ministry team has been running around doing…

This morning, I opened my personal calendar/journal – not the one I use for work, but rather the one that serves as a brain dump of all the things I…

Let’s talk about crescendos. I don’t mean the one at the end of last week’s choral anthem or organ postlude. I’m referring to the many things in our work that…

My office is the first one on the long hallway to the main office as you enter the church. People often pop in to say “hello” or ask a music…