On Oct. 21-22, the Liturgy Collective will host a conference for worship leaders, musicians, liturgists, and pastors at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville. The conference, sponsored by the PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM), will highlight worship, music, and lectures from well-known PCA speakers and musicians. It will also feature the Nashville Chamber Music Society and the SONUS choir.

ByFaith talked with organizer Tim Nicholson, Covenant Presbyterian Church’s director of music, about the conference.

What is the Liturgy Collective, and when and how did it begin?

For many, it has been a hard year, and this gathering is an opportunity to disciple, resource, and encourage church staff members who are involved with planning worship. One of the things I love about my job is the opportunity to connect people, and I hope that this event will support staff musicians in the communities where they serve.

We hope to establish a more defined support network of musicians that can be an ongoing resource and encouragement.

The Liturgy Collective began in part out of a group of musicians and worship pastors who began meeting regularly via Zoom in 2020 to encourage one another. In October 2020, I met Stephen Estock, CDM coordinator, and we discovered a mutual desire to support staff musicians in our denomination. Fellow PCA worship leaders such as Paul Ranheim, Luke Brodine, and Greg Wilbur have helped bring this vision to life. We hope to establish a more defined support network of musicians that can be an ongoing resource and encouragement.

What’s the goal of the conference?

There hasn’t yet been a network for musicians within our denomination. A smaller setting and format like this provides an opportunity for everyone to have a seat at the table. I like to imagine this gathering as functioning a bit more like a dinner party with old and new friends. We want to curate great content and encourage important conversations, but we also want to emphasize relationships through smaller cohorts that will eat together and participate in city experiences in Nashville.

How would you like to see worship leaders encouraged?

I hope we are reminded through time with Jesus and time with each other that we are not alone in this work.

Because worship is formative, we plan to worship together in varied musical and liturgical styles. In this, we hope participants will enjoy some rest, renewal, and even a re-enchantment as we consider the unique privilege that it is to serve our churches through worship music and liturgy. The gathering is aimed at worship leaders and directors in the PCA, but we hope that pastors, liturgists, and anyone who needs some encouragement and enrichment will join us in Nashville this October, regardless of title or denomination. There’ll be a lot learn and plenty of refreshment to enjoy.

To learn more, visit liturgycollective.com.