Bread for the Journey -- about us

	About Us
Background of group	Bread for the Journey is a musical group started in 1993 within the U.S. Lutheran (ELCA) community. Since then, the group has appeared at hundreds of Lutheran and ecumenical services, church conferences, synodical and national assemblies, campus ministry events, mission festivals, and other church events where music plays a key role. Members of the ensemble have served as musicians at international events in Ethiopia, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Geneva, and Bethlehem. The group normally appears as an ensemble of three, four or five people – the fifth person is usually a world percussionist who adds energy to the group’s presentation of songs from many parts of the globe. See Member Bios.
Styles of music	Bread for the Journey offers a spirited, eclectic repertoire of music, celebrating the faithful voices of Christian sisters and brothers from around the world. In addition to a diverse collection of songs of faith from North America, Bread for the Journey introduces a wealth of music resources from the church in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. While many of the group's songs feature a capella singing, others are backed with a range of appropriate instrumentation, from guitars, flutes and fiddles to congas, claves and synthesizers.
Emphasis on group singing	Bread for the Journey teaches and leads songs that can easily be sung by people from many musical and liturgical backgrounds, and introduces music in an accessible and non-threatening way. The group encourages congregational singing as an integral part of worship, and emphasizes corporate singing over individual performance. Bread for the Journey collects and shares songs that will be remembered and used.
Lyrics with power and integrity	The music shared by Bread for the Journey reflects gospel values of justice, peace, liberation, the integrity of creation, and a spirit of inclusiveness that marked Jesus’ ministry. Bread for the Journey is committed to introducing powerful and theologically solid music that reflects our church’s increasing cultural diversity.
Effective worship leaders	As a worship leading team, Bread for the Journey is adept at blending various styles of music, everything from German hymns to African alleluias and Korean prayer responses, within the same liturgical service. The group takes liturgy seriously, and works to enhance and deepen it with global resource combined with experienced musical leadership as worship animators (i.e. those who enliven and help lead the musical responses). While providing spirited energy to the worship experience, the group’s style is not that of a “praise band,” but a liturgical ensemble that supports and encourages the community’s prayer. The group recognizes the need to not only sing our praise, but also thanksgiving, lament, hope, doubt, protest, and longing for the alternative future God envisons for the whole creation.
Roles the Group can play	Bread for the Journey appears in the following venues… Serves as a worship team, leading music for many kinds of Lutheran and ecumenical worship services, helping to design liturgies in which it participates, and serving as effective animators/enliveners during the worship. Leads congregations and other church-related gatherings in group sing-alongs, featuring both new and treasured songs of faith, hope and justice. Brings to conferences, assemblies and other events, an assortment of quality songs, hymns and responses that can set a particular tone for the day, preface or follow keynote speeches and daily Bible studies. The group can work closely with an events chosen theme, weaving music throughout the program. Facilitates workshops for church musicians, worship planners, song leaders, choirs, and anyone else interested in learning about leading the congregation’s song and supporting their prayer. Performs concerts for a variety of church-related audiences. The group’s concerts include a mix of performed songs from around the globe, as well as songs that the whole audience sings together.
Resources available	Bread for the Journey has a number of recordings and songbooks that feature music from the church around the world. In addition, individual members of BFJ each have recorded their own favorite music. See listing of recordings and songbooks you can order.