Matthew F. Swain
Associate Professor of Worship Ministries, Assistant Dean of Worship Ministries, Wayne and Berna Dean Lee Chair of Church Music and Worship Ministries
At a Glance
Biography
Matthew F. Swain serves as Assistant Dean of Worship Ministries, Associate Professor of Worship Ministries, and Wayne and Berna Dean Lee Endowed Chair of Church Music and Worship Ministries—training, equipping, and encouraging future worship pastors and church musicians to lead well, serve faithfully, and take seriously their stewardship of biblical, Christ-centered worship in the context of the local church. Swain is native to Southern California (Los Angeles) but came to Kansas City by way of Savannah, Georgia, where he most recently served as Pastor of Worship and Fine Arts at Bull Street Baptist Church. Matthew earned both his doctorate in music ministry (2010) and master’s degree in church music (2000) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, he completed all the required coursework for the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree (2006) with an emphasis in piano performance and also served as an adjunct professor for SBTS and its undergraduate arm, Boyce College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in both church music and piano performance from Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia. In addition to serving other churches in Kentucky and Georgia, Matthew has often served Southern Baptists as an adjudicator, clinician, guest musician, and worship leader for various worship conferences, workshops, and state conventions. Since 2007, Swain has been married to his “seminary sweetheart,” Angela, a music educator, church musician, and fellow alumnae of Southern Seminary. They are doting parents to John-Franklin and Olivia.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Church Music and Piano Performance, Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, West Virginia
Master of Church Music, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Doctor of Church Music, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Faculty Q&A
Midwestern Seminary’s “For the Church” vision informs every aspect of the Worship Ministries core curriculum and classroom content. The school’s overarching vision inspired our worship department’s slogan: “We prepare musician-theologicans for the Church who will faithfully serve, build, strengthen, and lead her corporate worship, among her generations, no matter her cultural song.” The church needs lead worshipers who are theologically equipped and skilled in the musical arts. Being “For the Church” means my goal as a professor is to help students know Scripture, grow in personal holiness and the spiritual disciplines, develop a biblical theology and philosophy of Christ-centered worship, and grow and steward their musical gifts to serve and disciple others in the local church setting. In the classroom, I aim to help students develop their musicianship to lead congregations in corporate song. I desire that every ministry student at Spurgeon College and Midwestern Seminary care deeply about corporate worship and the theological integrity of the songs their congregations will sing. Being “For the Church” in the classroom means I help students move toward these goals, and it impacts every lecture I prepare, lesson I teach, and student interaction I have.
Teaching at Midwestern Seminary has been a joy on every level. I love teaching alongside our world-class faculty who are passionate about our institution’s “For the Church” mission and vision. I also love that our school prioritizes worshiping together during weekly Tuesday/Wednesday chapel services, where students, faculty, and staff gather to sing biblically rich hymns and hear faithful exposition of the Word. Above all, my greatest honor is working with students in the classroom. For me, there is no higher privilege than to walk with students and help them pursue God’s call on their lives to serve the local church. Relationships that begin as student-teacher interactions in the classroom often blossom into treasured friendships.
I am encouraged as I look toward the rising generation of worship and music leaders who will serve the local church. This up-and-coming generation cares deeply about the church’s corporate worship and her song. Beyond that, I am encouraged to see a generation of church musicians who care about biblical fidelity, evangelism, discipleship, and global missions. I see a generation that genuinely longs to live sacrificially and serve the church for the cause of Christ and His gospel. This gives me hope and courage for the church and her future well-being. I pray that local churches would continue to raise up and set apart more men and women called of God to partner with us in the pursuit of Kingdom advancement through preparation for local church worship ministry.
