Duncan recognized for decades of music ministry service

Jon Duncan, senior professor of church music and worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, received the Baptist Church Music Conference’s Lifetime Ministry Achievement Award during its regional annual meeting in Shawnee, Oklahoma, April 19.

“I receive this with thanksgiving to the Lord, who called me into Christian service,” Duncan said. “I so appreciate the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference and the blessing this organization has been to me in the past. Although far from perfect, with plenty of mistakes along the way, I have tried to grow and effectively strengthen the local church in worship and service.”

The Baptist Church Music Conference (BCMC) was established in 1957 and serves Baptist church musicians, worship leaders, and educators. The award recognizes Duncan’s more than 40 years of denominational music ministry leadership. The award was presented by Tom Tillman, a member of the BCMC executive council and director of music and worship for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Joseph R. Crider, dean of the School of Church Music and Worship, said, “I can think of no one more deserving of the BCMC Lifetime Achievement Award than Dr. Jon Duncan. Jon’s service to Southern Baptists has had and will have eternal impact because he never pointed to himself. Through his work as church worship consultant and director of groups such as the Sons of Jubal, Jon pointed people all over the world to Jesus Christ. 

“We are honored and grateful to have Dr. Duncan on our faculty as he helps mentor our Professional Doctoral Studies students in the area of Christian worship.”

Duncan has served on faculty at Southwestern Seminary since January 2021. He is a Southwestern Seminary graduate (Master of Music, 1989) and holds additional degrees from the University of Oklahoma (Bachelor of Music 1981) and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, 2001).

Prior to serving at Southwestern, Duncan was the worship consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. He also served in music ministry leadership for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma from 1992 to 2002, and has served Southern Baptist churches in various music ministry roles.

Duncan and Scott Aniol, associate professor of church music and worship, also presented during two of the BCMC plenary sessions. Reflecting on the conference’s recognition of Duncan’s contribution to Baptist music, Aniol said the award was a “well-deserved honor.”

“Dr. Duncan has impacted so many church musicians for many years, and this award was such a fitting expression of thanks for his ministry,” Aniol said. “I’m so glad that he is continuing to invest in worship ministers now in his role at Southwestern.”