Ministry Monday: The Podcast by NPM

Amanda Bruce

Today’s show is all about transitions. I’m happy to be joined by Amanda Bruce, the new Interactive Media Director for NPM. We’ll hear from Amanda about her new role within the association and the important work she will be doing.

But first, and on a more personal level, this will be my last episode as host of “Ministry Monday.” Hosting this program has been a unique honor and privilege. It has allowed me to hold conversations with pastoral ministers, composers, teachers, authors, and witnesses from across the country. It has allowed me to help animate the importance of NPM in a new way using a new medium. Most importantly, it has allowed me to connect with so many of you, our faithful listeners. It is my sincere hope that, in some way, this program has been able to serve as a “ministry companion.” At a time when serving in ministry can feel lonely or isolated, I hope that these conversations have helped you feel connected, appreciated, and valued.

I am overjoyed that NPM will be continuing “Ministry Monday,” and that Amanda Bruce will serve as host. The work of NPM is more important than ever because your work – the work of pastoral ministry – is more important than ever.

And so, before we get to today’s interview, I want to share with you two important thoughts from two different voices – one from the very beginning of NPM, and one from the more recent past. I hope that they can serve as both a reminder and a challenge as we all continue to work and serve.

SHOW NOTES

You can learn more about Amanda Bruce by visiting the Ministry Monday “about us” page.

You can read the full text of the articles by Fr. Elmer Pfeil and Dr. Tony Alonso on the NPM website.

The music you heard in today’s episode is from the album “Sacred Improvisations,” performed by Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

We are entering the busiest time of year here at Ministry Monday. We are making final preparations for two national conferences, both taking place in just a few weeks. So, today we are again dipping into our archives. This time, we’ll hear from Dr. Tony Alonso. I have to say, this is one of the best, most honest, and authentic plenum addresses I’ve heard. Tony speaks about issues that face those of us who work in pastoral ministry, directly addressing the conflict, competing vision, and sometimes contentious attitudes that can impede our unity.

Recorded at the fortieth NPM national convention in 2017, you will hear Tony speak about the obstacles and opportunities toward expressing the fullness of who we are as a Church musically and theologically, and Pope Francis’ image of the Church as “field hospital” as a metaphor for how our work might serve better as a medicine of unity rather than as a weapon of division.

SHOW NOTES

For more information about Dr. Tony Alonso and his other compositions, visit his composer pages at GIA Publications and World Library Publications. You can also visit his website: www.tonyalonso.com.

To learn more about the Summer Ministry Colloquium, to be held on June 30, visit the One Call Institute website. You can see a listing of the team, breakout topics, and register to attend. Don't miss it!

The recordings of "How Firm A Foundation" and "Give Us Peace" were produced by GIA Publications.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.

To join us this summer at the national convention in Baltimore, Maryland, visit the 2018 NPM convention website.

#074: Passing the Torch (with Amanda Bruce)

#017: Union of Voices, Unity of Hearts (with Dr. Tony Alonso)

SHOW NOTES