TMC Announces
Austin Clark as Conductor
Hey guys!
Our Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference and the Tennessee Men’s Chorale have exciting days ahead. As we navigate some changes, let me encourage you to look for the positive and then invite worship leaders in your part of the State to join us in ministry. (You’ll see an excellent description of our ministry objectives in the “Bonus” reading at the end of this email).
Keep reading to hear from Wayne Causey as he shares his heart for our future!
I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our retreat in August 20-21 at Tulip Grove Baptist Church.
Lyndel Littleton, President, TBCMC
llittleton@hilldale.org
Dear Men, 
I want to share some exciting news about the future of the Tennessee Men's Chorale.

In 2023 Dr. Randy Davis asked me to step in as Interim Worship and Music Specialist at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board following the departure of Dr. Scott Shepherd, who left to teach at Bethel University. Part of that role included the privilege of conducting the Chorale. Over time, what began as an interim assignment became a part-time contract position.

Late last fall, I shared with our TMC executive officers that I felt it was time for me to step down as conductor of the Chorale. I recommended that we invite Austin Clark, Worship Pastor at Seymour First Baptist Church, to take the podium. Our officers extended that invitation to Austin, and after prayerful consideration, he has graciously accepted a (at least) four-year term as conductor. I will continue serving the TBMB as Contract Worship and Music Specialist.

Here is what the conductor transition will look like:
• At the bottom of this email, you’ll find a repertoire survey from Austin. Please complete it as soon as possible.  
• The leadership transition begins at our retreat, August 20–21 at Tulip Grove Baptist Church, 563 Shute Ln, Old Hickory, TN 37138
• Thursday afternoon/evening (August 20) — Austin will introduce some new music. 
• Friday morning/early afternoon (August 21) — Wayne will focus on music for the Germany Mission Trip.
• Wayne will conduct the Chorale in Germany
• Austin will conduct the Chorale at the Summit in Sevierville.
I am genuinely excited about this transition. Austin brings fresh energy and gifted leadership to the podium, and I truly believe the Chorale's best days are ahead.  I look forward to seeing you at our retreat at Tulip Grove Baptist Church, August 20-21.
Wayne Causey, 615-504-4124
Worship and Music Specialist, TBMB
waynecausey55@gmail.com

Hello Gentlemen,


Thank you for the opportunity to lead this group. I have been a member of the TMC since moving to Tennessee in 2015, and it has played a pivotal role in my life — shaping relationships with worship leaders across our state in ways I will always treasure. I also remember stepping in to sing with this group as a high school and college student and the impact it had on me was profound.

The long-standing tradition of leading our state in worship through concerts, Summit leadership, recording projects, and mission trips has touched countless lives across Tennessee and beyond. I am honored to take the role of conductor and to follow in the footsteps of the outstanding musicians who have come before me.

As we step into a new chapter for the Tennessee Men's Chorale, I want to share a few things on my heart.

First, I want to ask each of you to commit to the 2026–2027 year. Perhaps you have been singing or playing with this group for many years and feel uncertain about change — I understand that. As Lyndel encouraged us, let's embrace new possibilities together. If you are a worship leader in our state who is not currently involved with the TMC, or if you haven't been part of the group in some time, I would love to have you join us. Our August retreat is the perfect opportunity to try the group for the first time or to return. We have structured the retreat to serve everyone well: all current TMC singers and new singers will focus on Thursday's rehearsal, and those going to Germany will focus on Friday. This approach gives us ample time to prepare a new folder of music for Summit and our 2027 concerts — while also ensuring that those headed to Germany are fully prepared for the mission trip.

Second, the officers and I are taking a careful look at how we function and what our purpose is. As we explore changes to our calendar, our structure, and how best to reach worship leaders across the state, we covet your prayers, ask for your patience, and seek your wisdom.

Third, we want you to be part of that process. We have created a short survey and ask that all of you — whether you have sung with TMC for years or are on our mailing list and have never sung with us — take a few minutes to respond. Here is why your input matters:

• Repertoire: As I consider literature changes, I want to know not only what you would like to see added, but what pieces currently in the folder absolutely need to stay.

• Instrumentation: Some of you are not primarily vocalists, and we want to find ways for you to serve using your primary instrument.

• Growth: We all want to see this group flourish, and your perspective is essential to making that happen.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey HERE: 
Finally, I do not take this responsibility lightly. It is with deep respect for every musician who has made this group what it is today that I accept this role. I have been praying for months over this possibility and over the future of the TMC. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me directly at aclark@seymourfbc.org.

My prayer is that over the next four years this group will see incredible kingdom impact — growth in both numbers and musicianship — and that many new worship leaders will experience the brotherhood that has shaped my own life through this group.

I hope to see you all at retreat on August 20–21!

In Christ,
Austin Clark.
Survey
Bonus reading!
 The Mission of the Tennessee Baptist Men's Chorale
The Tennessee Baptist Men's Chorale exists as a ministry arm of the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference (TBCMC), which operates in partnership with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Its mission operates on three levels:
The TMC is comprised of men who serve as music ministers, worship leaders, and worship pastors in Tennessee Baptist churches. It is not a community choir — it is a fellowship of active church music worship leaders who sing and serve together.
What They Do: Their ministry takes three forms:
      • State Convention Ministry — The Chorale is a featured ensemble at the annual Tennessee Baptist Convention, serving the larger body of Tennessee Baptists through worship leadership.
      • Local Church Concerts — They present ministry concerts in churches across Tennessee, bringing encouragement and Gospel-centered music to congregations.
      • Mission Tours — They travel to other states and countries to sing the Gospel, with proceeds from their recordings funding mission engagement. The Germany trip is the most significant expression of this to date.
The Broader Purpose Their work sits inside the TBCMC's stated mission of "helping churches toward healthy, biblical worship practices, and supporting worship and music ministry leadership through inspiration, information, and relationships."
In short, the Tennessee Baptist Men's Chorale is a peer community of worship leaders who use choral music as a vehicle for missions, encouragement, and the advance of the Gospel — both in Tennessee and around the world. 
Survey
tnbaptist.org
 (615) 371-2061
hbeard@tnbaptist.org
Tennessee Baptist Mission Board
PO Box 682789
Franklin, TN 37068
www.tnbaptist.org
hbeard@tnbaptist.org 
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