Music Certification and Why I Should Have It

The United Methodist Church has always placed a high value on education and training in ministry — and not just the ordained pastoral ministry. Today the church offers training and certification in the areas of music, youth, camping and retreat leadership, business management, and education. There have been recent discussions on Methodist Musicians Listservabout music certification, what some regard as its "stiff" requirements, and its value to those who obtain it. Here's one message excerpt:

I haven't read all the messages on this topic, but have personally shared in the frustration caused by the rather "stiff" requirements for certification in music in the UMC. It is not at all clear to me that the requirements imposed for certification are necessary or reasonable, and I am not at all sure that obtaining the certification significantly broadens one's employment opportunities.

Let me take some of these points in order:

1. "Stiff requirements for certification": Yes, this is college level training and education. It is designed to stretch the minds and skills of candidates. It is taught by real higher education faculty in real higher education institutions. The expectation is that students will study and perform at those same levels; and if they do not or cannot, they do not earn the certification. Although programs differ somewhat among institutions, they all offer coursework in church music history and practice; worship and liturgy; Wesleyan theology and practice; United Methodist Church polity; and a wide range of music skill areas, including voice, conducting, instrumental, choral, hymns, children-youth-adults; and more.
   
   Certification is not a weekend workshop. It is an extended period of study, often over multiple years of summer sessions taken in residence on-campus with a group of like-minded, dedicated students. It takes considerable commitment of time, effort, and money to complete the certification process. By action of General Conference and The Book of Discipline, requirements are set by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in cooperation with the Discipleship Ministries and the host educational institution. Upon successful completion and certification, the candidate must also keep that certification current by following the requirements of his or her local annual conference. This usually involves a required number of hours in classes or workshops that offer approved CEUs (Continuing Education Units), sometimes offered by the annual conference, FUMMWA, colleges, or other sources. It may also involve the reading of books and other literature in one's area of certification in order to keep current. The annual conference notifies each certified person when it is time to renew certification, usually once every two years in most conferences. The decision to recommend renewal lies with the annual conference board of ministry.
   
   
2. Are these requirements "necessary or reasonable"? That's for you to decide, but General Conference says that they are. The purpose of music certification is to place The United Methodist Church's official seal of approval on a musician, proclaiming to all that this person has successfully completed the rigorous training and possesses knowledge, skills, and abilities in those areas. It is much like a college degree in that respect. Those who have completed the process should not hesitate to say so when it is appropriate, such as in writing books or articles, composing music, serving on church committees, or applying for a position. It is a significant achievement.
   
   
3. Does certification "significantly broaden one's employment opportunities"? I have no data to suggest that it does or does not; however, I am absolutely convinced that it SHOULD and WILL. The fact is that churches are not required to insist on certification as a precondition for hiring a musician, nor are churches required to insist that their staff musicians become certified. The Book of Discipline, however, does call for churches to do both of these voluntarily. Some churches require it; many support it by granting their musician time and financial support to pursue it. If a church is seeking to hire a musician and has narrowed the field down to a handful of applicants and one of them is certified, does that person have an advantage over the others? I believe so. Certification removes questions and worries on the part of the church as to whether that person has knowledge and experience in the critical areas of worship, liturgy, music, and so on that are necessary in such a position. Certified musicians should be bold in letting prospective employers know that they are certified and exactly what that can mean for the church.