As a member of the Lord of Life Leadership Team, Dan Fenn’s biggest priority in his position is to oversee the music and liturgical arts for our two very distinct worship services.
“My greatest joy is planning the weekly worship services,” Dan says. “I try to ensure that the music is uplifting and meaningful, yet theologically grounded.” He and the pastoral team carefully plan the liturgy together.
“We know that people from all walks of life and from every background need to be part of a community,” he says. “This is formed not only by just simply being together, but, and I believe more importantly, is most formed through the liturgy.”
Dan oversees the talents of band members, vocalists, adult and children’s choirs, bell and chime choirs, the audio/video team, and liturgical arts. Long-range planning helps his work to be intentional and he has used his creativity to initiate new programs such as our quarterly concert series and Wednesday night dinners. Wednesday night dinners—also known as Music, Meals, and More—have grown significantly and have become an opportunity for fellowship and to make and distribute food to members of our community who can’t make it in to the church for activities.
The son of two church musicians, Dan became the organist of his home church in Mississippi at the age of twelve. He has been an active church musician ever since. Dan is a 2009 graduate of the Master of Sacred Music program shared between Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He also holds organ performance degrees from Mississippi College and The University of Houston.
Dan has served at the historic St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota, and at Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston. He is a past Dean of the Houston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has been active in the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and Choristers Guild. In recent years, Dan has been a guest musician at the Holden Village retreat in Washington state and at Durham Cathedral in the UK.
An avid adventurer, Dan loves to travel to seek new and interesting experiences. He considers himself a “foodie,” enjoying diverse cuisines and culinary trends. Dan always wanted to travel to all 50 states, and he reached that goal 10 years ago! (Ask him about his adventures.)