© 2007-2008 John Thornburg
Mark Ball , director of music, The Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kansas:
“My first encounter with John Thornburg was nearly ten years ago. He was leading worship that morning—dear friends had invited me to attend services with them. This first experience with John was the beginning of a friendship which has become central in the formation of my ministry.
“Over the years our work together has included the commissioning of poetry and hymn texts, brainstorming sessions to plan a sacred concert, a festival of psalms, and even last-minute calls: ‘Help! I need a hymn to go with this sermon.’
“In every experience, I come away renewed. Working with John brings a clearer sense of my own calling, and reminds me that there is no more important work in the church than the singing of God's people; that thoughtful, faithful, fervent singing can wake up the church, and shake the world for God.”
Mark Ball
Kristin Watts, associate pastor, Tomball United Methodist Church, commenting about the youth group's reaction to John's leadership of an evening sing at their church:
“I would like to share with you a couple of responses from our youth after the evening: One realized that she did not know the hymns of the church (and that this was not really a good thing for her); another realized that he had been very judgmental about the way people worshipped and needed to repent for that. So thank you for your part in the evening worship service.”
Kristin Watts
Jorge Lockward, program director of Global Praise, the global music division of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries:
“A gentle spirit, a deep love for and trust in a congregation’s “voice”, a quiet, firm insistence, a poet’s heart and a sensitive soul always ready to listen and follow the Spirit's prompt—John Thornburg, songleader and teacher extraordinaire embodies hospitality in his ministry of congregational song.”
Jorge Lockward and John Thornburg
Billy Crockett, singer/songwriter:
“John Thornburg has an ear for art and authenticity. I love his laugh. And he remembers something about who we are together that dawns on us, too, when we sing.”
John Thornburg and Billy Crockett
Jane Marshall, composer, church music educator, church leader:
“John has a passionate conviction that hymn singing is crucial in worship, with power to inspire, challenge, console and praise. He believes in the congregation’s ability to participate fully, and he believes in their understanding that since the service actually belongs to them, singing is an essential way of expressing that understanding...He’s motivated to keep learning and soaks up information eagerly.”
John Thornburg and Jane Marshall
Alice Parker, composer, arranger and hymnologist, on the collaboration between John and Jane Marshall:
“Here are two hymnists who deserve each other, in the best sense of that phrase. They are both soaked in hymnic lore, their craft is secure, their ideas mesh and support one another. Both are blessed with intelligence, taste, and a willingness to explore paths that are ’less traveled by.’ John tackles meaningful subjects in brief lines which often offer a jolt of surprise.”
Michael Hawn, ethnomusicologist, author, seminary educator:
“John Thornburg brings a pastor’s training and perspective as well as wonderful ability in church music and the congregation’s song to worship. The result is balanced and thoughtful insight that offers hope to congregations without resorting to stereotypes and easy answers. The Word--preached or sung--comes to life with John.”
Michael Hawn
Michelle Gowin, Associate Pastor, Englewood United Methodist Church, Denver, Colorado, and former student of John’s:
“More than once during worship planning, I have referred back to what I learned in your class, remembering the lectures and making suggestions. More than once, those suggestions have found their way into our service the next Sunday. More than once you reminded us that we were singing to God and not to or for anyone else. Your words cross my mind often as I hit many wrong notes while singing during service. I have repeated those words to members of my congregation who tell me they have a horrible voice and are too shy to sing.”
Janet Boone, Director of Program Ministries, Grace United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City:
“The design team for the Oklahoma Annual Conference week-long youth director training event wanted a worship and music leader who could bring a fresh look at the many and varied songs of faith. John Thornburg was the perfect choice. His humor and genuine spirit engaged these youth directors, whose ages spanned 18 to 72 years old and whose job experience went from 2 weeks to 40 years. Old songs seemed new, new songs felt ancient and the global music swept us all along. At the end of the week, worship and music and John’s leadership of those was at the top of their evaluations.”
Janet Boone and John Thornburg