Tailor-made Programs for All Abilities and Needs
Introduction to the CMTProgram
The Church Musicians' Training Program (CMTP) is a 3-year program divided into a manageable schedule that involves 6 one or two week-long face-to-face training weeks held at Bishop Birech Bible College in Kitale, Kenya, and at Covenant Reformed Church in Soroti, Uganda. When possible, the training weeks are held two times per year when students gather with the faculty for in-class instruction with lots of personal attention. Between these face-to-face weeks of instruction, students are working on a music leadership project in their local church in cooperation with local church leaders.
Program Purpose and Function
Rather than try to replicate the music and worship in churches from other parts of the world, the faculty encourage local contextualization for effective discipling of growing church musicians. By emphasizing locals arts and music students are given the tools to create worship and music resources in their own community's voice, for the purpose of authentic evangelism and discipleship.
Field Placement Assignment
Between sessions, the students are working with local church leadership on how to improve the music program for that congregation. Some students have started a children's choir, others have begun teaching keyboard skills to others in the congregation. Each Field Placement Assignment (FPA) is determined by the student's abilities and the needs of the local congregation. Subsequent FPAs will continue similarly, hopefully culminating after two and one-half years in a Final Action Plan that best benefits the local congregation by incorporating the skills and talents of the student and those in the congregation.
The Certificate in Church Music Leadership
A Certificate in Church Music Leadership is awarded to students who have successfully completed a minimum of 6 week-long sessions, as well as a minimum of 5 field placement assignments, and have reached the required standards.