CHURCH RESOURCE INFORMATION

2023 has been full of exciting church music adventures! I was the song leader for the Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis, AND for the ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering in Phoenix. Plus I had the opportunity to perform with Ken Medema at the Convergence Music Project conference in Nashville. I’d love to be a music resource for your event of festival… email [email protected] and let’s talk about it!

I encourage you to try out my liturgical setting A HEARTLAND LITURGY at your congregation. In addition, I’ve been arranging more songs for piano, guitar, band, and congregational singing. Download my sheet music HERE via PayHip.

I'm a third-generation church musician, and I love to provide music and song-leadership for church conventions, Synod assemblies, youth gatherings, colleges, seminaries, continuing education events, retreats, and for congregations on Sunday mornings. Check out my setting of A Heartland Liturgy, used by many congregations from coast to coast. My hymn arrangements and original compositions have been used by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, and a variety of Synods, events, camps, and other institutions. 

I'd love to be a guest musician at your event or your congregation! Contact me to discuss dates, ideas, themes, etc.:  

PHONE: 612-382-5299    EMAIL:  [email protected]

You may use/sing/print/project Jonathan's music for your event or congregation...license and copright info HERE. 

CHURCH MUSIC BIOGRAPHY

JONATHAN RUNDMAN is a Midwest-based songwriter, performer, and recording artist. His critically acclaimed songs have been highlighted in publications such as Billboard, The New York Times, The Christian Century, and The Lutheran, and have received radio airplay from coast to coast and in Europe.

Jonathan’s songs have been used as programmatic theme music for regional and national Youth Gatherings. His songs “By Grace We Have Been Saved” and “For Such A Time As This” appear in the new Lutheran hymnal supplement All Creation Sings. Dozens of congregations across the country use his Heartland Liturgy for their church services. In addition to being a leading voice in new Lutheran music, he was also a contributing author for the bestselling theology/comedy manual The Lutheran Handbook.

Originally from Ishpeming, MI, Jonathan now lives in Minneapolis, MN with his wife Dr. Dawn Rundman, a developmental psychologist and an editor at Augsburg Fortress Publishers, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 2022 Jonathan Rundman graduated from Luther Seminary, and now serves as Pastor of Worship and Music at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, in Prior Lake, MN.

Check out this Our Lutheran Life video featuring Jonathan Rundman, produced by the ELCA during the 500th Anniversary of The Reformation:

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

WRITING

Journal of Lutheran Ethics

contributing author for The Lutheran Handbook

Living Lutheran Magazine

EVENTS/GATHERINGS

Jonathan has been a featured musician, speaker, and/or facilitator at many events, including:

+ synod assemblies across the ELCA

+ Parish Workers Convention, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland

+ 2015 ELCA Worship Jubilee, Atlanta, GA

+ 2009, '06, '03, '00, '97 ELCA National Youth Gathering

+ 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ 2002 ELCA Western States Youth Gathering
+ 2014, '08, '05, '03, '02, '01, '00 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza
+ Regional and Synod Youth Gatherings
+ Leadership Training Schools
+ Lutheran Campus Ministry Events
+ Songwriting and Music Workshops
+ 2000, 1997 ELCA Churchwide Youth Convo
+ 2013, '09, '08, '04, '03, '02, '01, 2000, 1999 LiFest Music Festival
+ 2004, 1999 Cornerstone Music Festival

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

Jonathan has been a guest speaker, artist-in-residence, and/or provided musical curriculum for these eduational institutions:

+ Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
+ Trinity Seminary, Columbus, OH
+ Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH
+ Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA
+ Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA
+ Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA
+ Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA
+ Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, IL
+ Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
+ Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN
+ Luther College, Decorah, IA
+ Roanoke College, Salem, VA
+ California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
+ Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX
+ Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
+ Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
+ Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
+ Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD

PRESS QUOTES

“Sound Theology is a project of almost overwhelming, epic proportion. Probably the finest Christian album of the year…Rundman is one of Christian music’s best songwriters, worthy of consideration alongside Bruce Cockburn,
Mark Heard, and Victoria Williams”
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

“ …challenging, thought-provoking, heartfelt, and nothing short of brilliant”
THE ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“GRADE: A. Sound Theology is a supremely clever, humorous, artfully packaged magnum opus”
YOUTHWORKER JOURNAL

“Jonathan’s a dandy of a songwriter, packing in powerful words of wisdom and things we need to hear into two- and three-minute flashes of brilliance”
CCM

“the most ambitious (and unusual) Christian music project in years…sprawling, eclectic, and geeky in a good way”
CHRISTIAN SINGLE

“anyone interested in whether undiluted rock&roll can faithfully convey the deeper truths of Christian experience should listen to this”
WORLD MAGAZINE

“Sound Theology is nothing like contemporary Christian music…a refreshing look at the fusing of belief in the divine AND the guitar”
ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER

“Rundman’s songs offer wry Garrison Keillor-ish observations that let us imagine a more or less typical yearl-long encounter with American religion. He comes off as a Christian who takes seriously the priesthood of all believers and strives, with halting success, to integrate what happens on Sunday morning with life in a workaday world.”
CHRISTIAN CENTURY

“sounding like an angst-filled disciple of Martin Luther, Rundman plays alternative rock that Winona Ryder would swoon over and your preacher would rock out to behind closed doors”
SIOUX FALLS ARGUS LEADER

“Rundman has produced a masterpiece of intelligent pop. He blends faith and rock, transcending the silly ‘Christian Rock’ tag the way Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris transcend the country music label. Maybe I should go visit a Lutheran church this Sunday”
PASTEMUSIC.COM BEST OF THE YEAR LIST

“What is this? Rundman is breaking new ground here, with quality of musicianship, grace-centered theology, and originality that the Church of today needs like oxygen. Forget Christian crossover – Rundman is crafting songs that fully integrate faith into life”
SONGCRAFT

“these songs bleed character, intelligence, orneryness, humor, innocence, and soul”
HM MAGAZINE

“one of the finest releases of the year”

TRUE TUNES NEWS

PASTORAL/PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

“Jonathan Rundman really connected with the voting members of our synod assembly.  He honored tradition, helped us laugh, moved hearts with personal stories and testimony, and had people of all ages rocking in the faith.”
BISHOP GERALD MANSHOLT
East Central Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA

“Jonathan has both the musical talent and Lutheran theological insights to turn any gathering you are planning into a musical feast. I’ve used Jonathan for Book of Faith events, synod assemblies, youth rallies, pastors’ theological conferences etc. He has such a wide repertoire of solidly Lutheran songs that he fits in well in all these disparate contexts. Whatever you are planning, it will go better with Jonathan!”
REV. GREG KAUFMANN
Assistant to the Bishop
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA

"We have used Jonathan Rundman in the East Central Synod of WI several times as our worship leader at Synod Assembly. Our participants have appreciated Jonathan's talent as a musician, as well as, and the variety of songs that he has used.  His enthusiasm and love for this church is contagious! Jonathan is a presenter that is adaptable and willing to provide music and ideas that work well with your theme.  We look forward to having him back again!"
DARLENE H. KALFAHS
Congregational Resource Director
East Central Synod of WI - ELCA

“Jonathan has the ability to tap into the flow of any event, inspire everyone in song, and faithfully proclaim Christ in music.”
BISHOP DUANE PEDERSON
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA

"Jonathan's music represents a playful and pointed dialogue between an authentic Lutheran voice and contemporary culture. The results will inspire and energize young and old alike."
RITVA H. WILLIAMS, Associate Professor of Religion,
Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

“Jonathan Rundman is the Neil Young of the Lutheran Church”
REV. DR. GILSON WALDKOENIG
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA

"Jonathan Rundman combines humor, fresh musicality and inspired lyrics with a strong theological backbone. He is as ‘real’ as it gets, genuinely connecting with folks whether it is from the stage, in a small group setting, or as a worship leader." 
PASTOR DIANE SPONHEIM
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN

"Jonathan brings a genuine sense of joy to his great music and wonderful storytelling."
PASTOR JENNIFER ARNOLD
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Kenosha, WI

"Jonathan is a vibrant, gifted messenger of God's presence and grace in word and song."
BISHOP PAUL SWANSON
Oregon Synod - ELCA

"Jonathan's wit and storytelling abilities combine to paint wonderful word pictures...smooth layers and a sharp edge give his music its charm."
GEORGE BAUM
songwriter/singer/pianist, Lost And Found