In 2024, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) announced plans for a yearlong emphasis on church worker appreciation, highlighting the blessings the church receives through all of its called workers, both ordained and commissioned.
That emphasis has continued in 2025 and 2026, with designated dates to give thanks for those who so faithfully service. This month, LCMS congregations and schools are invited to observe Director of Parish Music (DPM) Appreciation on April 26. DPMs are one of the seven auxiliary offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry — through teaching music in churches and schools, directing volunteer choirs and instrumentalists, assisting with worship planning, and more.
On April 26, or anytime, consider letting your school and/or church musician know how much you value his or her contribution to helping you sing God’s Word. Pray for your musician, share a word or written note of appreciation, bake his or her favorite treat, or post a social media shareable that highlights his or her service. Find more ideas at thelc.ms/appreciation.
The Rev. Sean Daenzer, who serves as director of Worship for the LCMS and as chaplain at the LCMS International Center, said, “Directors of parish music help make sure that the Scriptures that are read and preached echo back from balcony and pew in thanksgiving, praise and confession of Jesus. What they contribute is more than just background music. In songs and hymns and spiritual songs, the Word of Christ dwells richly among the people of God in the Lutheran church, in no small part through their stewardship. Thank your church musician this month for all of his or her devotion to the songs of salvation in your congregation. Let them hear you singing — that’s the most rewarding ‘thank you’!”
Posted April 2, 2026
Honoring those that do music is a wonderful thing, but, I don’t see anything about honoring your organist!
Do you realize the planning, the preparation an organist does to provide music for worship?! Yet this person gets passed over, get ignored and all some get is criticism for how the hymns are played, organ is to loud etc.
We are to be just there, all the time. Work with the Pastor regarding hymns, play for choir and still get ignored.
Now I’m not saying all organist feel this way, for we are a dedicated group and only want to worship our Lord through our music.
We just want some recognition, some thanks. Nothing overboard in a celebration but a word, a phrase in the service bulletin, or just something.
Yes, and with re: the “DPM” title, I wonder how many actual organists/directors etc are actually accredited and recognized thereby by our Synod. I’m surely not, and yet countless other colleagues in my status aren’t recognized b/c we don’t carry the “DPM” title after our name.