The Rise and Fall of the National Church Music Fellowship (1952–1980)

Between the late 1940s and the mid-1980s, church music played a crucial, yet understudied role in the formation of evangelical worship theology. Leaders in the National Church Music Fellowship (NCMF) wrestled with the tension between viewing music as an art and music as a communicative and evangelistic tool. The organization supported church musicians in smaller denominations and independent churches through workshops, regional chapters, and regular publications. Since its dissolution in 1980, the NCMF has not received much scholarly attention; however, its contributions to worship education and theological discourse are significant. This article traces the history of the NCMF, examines members’ discussions and publications, and offers insight into the development of evangelical worship theology in the United States during the second half of the twentieth century.