From Postlude to Prelude: Music Ministry's Other Six Days [Paperback]

C. Randall Bradley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004

John Witvliet says: "Business leaders have ‘best practices books’ by the hundreds. Lawyers, doctors, and pastors have them by the dozens. Now those of us in Church music have at least one!"

C. Randall Bradley is Professor of Church Music and Director of the Church Music Program and Center for Christian Music Studies at Baylor University. His classroom teaching and practical experience inspire this book. It includes sections on Philosophical/Theological Issues; Personal Issues; Employment and Vocational Issues; Working with Church Staff; Involving Others; Promotion; Organization and Time Management; Facilities and Purchases; Dealing with Transition; and Ministering in Special Situations.

There are also helps on Working with Committees and Working with Difficult People, Housing Allowances, Social Security Taxes, Financial Management, and Avoiding Burnout. There is a Minister’s Compensation Worksheet, a Minister’s Housing Allowance Worksheet, and an extensive Bibliography and Index. The material will help you negotiate all those "nitty-gritty" details that fill your days from Monday to Saturday.

This book will help not only those who have been in Music Ministry for a while, but also those who are just starting their careers. Church Music classes will find From Postlude to Prelude invaluable.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

C. Randall Bradley is deeply committed to music ministry, having served as a minister of music since 1978 and teacher of church musicians since 1989. He is Professor of Church Music and Director of the Church Music Program and the Center for Christian Music Studies at Baylor University, where he is a member of both the undergraduate and graduate faculties and directs the Baylor University Men's Choir. With a passion for building bridges between Christian musicians, he continually looks for ways to create meaningful dialog among all who are committed to serving the church through music. He currently serves as minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Morning Star Music Pub (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944529364
• ISBN-13: 978-0944529362
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bradley's Indepth Overview of Music Ministry, June 12, 2005

By 

R. Hewell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Postlude to Prelude: Music Ministry's Other Six Days (Paperback)

Being a minister-musician obviously has its visible dimensions. Platform responsibilities make for familiarity with the public side of folks who serve the church through music. Is that all these folks do, however? There's more-much more-behind the scenes for these skilled, dedicated, servant leaders. This "much more" is the focus of C. Randall Bradley's "From Postlude to Prelude: Music Ministry's Other Six Days."

There are more than a few books available directed toward the goal of worship and ministry leadership for musicians. From Postlude to Prelude focuses on what happens in the between times, when one Sunday's worship services are done and the next ones begin.

Bradley is well-versed in all dimensions of the music ministry by virtue of his experience as a student, teacher, and practicing church musician. His writing is clear and succinct. He offers an excellent overview of the music ministry that is nigh unto encyclopedic.

An experienced minister of music will be familiar with the topics addressed in this book, although they would be hard-pressed to find a more well-organized and broad identification of these matters. Non music ministers would likely experience more than a few "gee, I didn't know that" moments in reading this book. It could be an invaluable resource for a music minister search committee; indeed, Bradley addresses such groups specifically at some points in the text.

The sheer number of topics included means that none of them are treated in depth. Yet Bradley's vast knowledge and experience is also reflected in the two appendixes and bibliography contained at the end of the book. These provide plenty of resources (websites, periodicals, and books) to cover any and all topics raised in "From Postlude to Prelude" in depth.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Reference for a Beginning Church Musician, June 25, 2011

By 

Susan M. Petura "Music Lady" (Coatesville, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Postlude to Prelude: Music Ministry's Other Six Days (Paperback)

I am downplaying this book merely because it did not meet my own needs. If you have been in the business for many years, this probably won't answer your questions either. I am still looking for that book - and maybe should just write it! This is an excellent overview of the responsibilities, relationships, pitfalls,... of this unique profession. It would be great if Vestries, Consistries, and other ruling bodies read this book to realize the pressures that they put on gifted musicians who have dedicated their lives to church work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, March 24, 2011

By 

Shay - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Postlude to Prelude: Music Ministry's Other Six Days (Paperback)

I had to buy this book for a class and tried to get away with borrowing it from
class mates, but after reading the first chapter I thought, "wow, I need my own
copy of this book." Each chapter has very useful information on being a minister
of music while not on the platform. I am awed by the completeness of the
information and suggest it to anyone who is interested in running a ministry with
music.