Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Melanie Rischer Bernard

Professor And Church Ministry
Lynchburg,VA

Summary

Dynamic educator and worship leader with a proven track record in churches, at Liberty University and Azusa Pacific University, excelling in curriculum development and student engagement. Passionate about fostering community and championing the next generation, I leverage creative thinking and excellent communication skills to enhance worship experiences and empower students, not just in their musical journey, but also in their relationship with Jesus.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Online Faculty

Liberty University Online
01.2024 - Current
  • Subject Matter Expert (SME) for WMUS 315: Basic Conducting for the Worship Leader.
  • Design and create a new curriculum for the course, demonstrating conducting skills with a live choir for each module.
  • Teach, facilitate, and interact with students weekly through freshly recorded video announcements, online, and through Teams.


Adjunct Professor of Music

Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
08.2023 - 08.2025
  • Conducted LU Women's Chorus (MUSC489), training, developing, and expanding each student in the areas of music and ministry, doing concerts on campus and in the community
  • Developed comprehensive curricula for various music courses, resulting in improved learning experiences for students.
  • Evaluated student progress through continuous assessment of applied lessons, jury performances, compositions, and worship performances.
  • Developed curriculum and taught MUSC268: Worship Platform Techniques, MUSC423/MUSC425 Congregational Contextualization and Leadership; Worship Contextualization Capstone, MUSC430: Worship Resources, Literature and Technology; gave oversight and was faculty for MUSC499: Worship Internship, and applied voice professor, teaching MUSC 121, 122, 221, 222, 321

SoulQuest Pastor (Campus Pastor)

Azusa Pacific University
07.2019 - 08.2021
  • Provide spiritual care to graduate, professional, and nontraditional undergraduate students at APU Murrieta Regional Campus.
  • Planned and led SoulQuest gatherings (our version of chapel).
  • Delivered regular devotional messages in classrooms on campus.


Co-Sr. Pastor

TEN27 Church
07.2008 - 06.2020
  • Direct leadership over Worship & Tech Arts, worship ensembles, worship team, Sisterhood, and staff.
  • Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
  • Planned, programmed, and led all Sunday worship services, Good Friday and Easter services, Christmas Eve services, Worship Nights, and more.
  • Officiated special services, such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and child dedications.
  • Coordinated and spearheaded programs to increase church members' service throughout community.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.

Pastor of Worship & Arts

South Hills Church
07.2005 - 07.2008
  • Collaborated and led pastoral staff in creative planning meetings to create cohesive and meaningful worship services that aligned with sermon themes.
  • Oversaw audiovisual team operations ensuring smooth transitions between service elements
  • Developed strong volunteer teams for music ministry, providing training and mentorship to musicians and vocalists.
  • Recorded live, the worship album was mastered at Capitol Records.
  • Managed budgets and resources efficiently, ensuring cost-effective procurement of instruments, equipment, and materials needed for worship services.

Music Minister With Pastoral Duties

Church on the Hill
09.2002 - 06.2005
  • Auditioned, trained, led, and developed the worship team.
  • Conducted the choir
  • Scheduled and rehearsed the band
  • Planned and led the worship services, and weekly prayer nights.

Worship Director/Pastor

Mariners Church
02.1997 - 09.2002
  • Planned and led five worship services each weekend, with 10,000 in attendance.
  • Shepherd and pastor to over 300 people in Worship Ministries.
  • Conducted a choir of over 120 voices.
  • Recruited, auditioned, trained, developed, and led eight vocal teams that were scheduled for weekend services.
  • Recorded several worship albums.

Adjunct Faculty Member, Director Jubilant Song

Azusa Pacific University
07.1994 - 07.1997
  • Recruit and audition incoming students, and award scholarships.
  • Planned, rehearsed, and led a 60+ voice choir and small band.
  • Led worship and performed in over 20 churches each school year, as well as on a two-week tour to the Pacific Northwest.
  • Vocal instructor for those in the choir.
  • Developed and led the student leadership team.
  • Recorded and produced several albums with the choir.


Music Minister

Garden Grove Church Of The Nazarene
Garden Grove, California
07.1994 - 02.1997
  • Music minister for Sunday morning and evening services.
  • Lead worship and the choir

Education

Ph.D. - Christian Leadership & Ministry

Liberty Theological Seminary
Lynchburg, VA
05.2001 -

Master of Arts - Masters of Music in Conducting

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
05.2001 -

Skills

Champions the next generation

Creative thinker

Builds community

Loves Jesus and loves people

Accomplishments

  • Worship Pastor and Worship Leader, 1994-current
  • Speaker, 2008-current
  • Licensed MInister, 1997-2021
  • Executive Leadership, Bridge Network Converge Worldwide, 2014-2024
  • Moderator, National Board of Overseers, Converge Worldwide, 2011-2014

Certification

Licensed Minister

Timeline

Online Faculty

Liberty University Online
01.2024 - Current

Adjunct Professor of Music

Liberty University
08.2023 - 08.2025

SoulQuest Pastor (Campus Pastor)

Azusa Pacific University
07.2019 - 08.2021

Co-Sr. Pastor

TEN27 Church
07.2008 - 06.2020

Pastor of Worship & Arts

South Hills Church
07.2005 - 07.2008

Music Minister With Pastoral Duties

Church on the Hill
09.2002 - 06.2005

Ph.D. - Christian Leadership & Ministry

Liberty Theological Seminary
05.2001 -

Master of Arts - Masters of Music in Conducting

Azusa Pacific University
05.2001 -

Worship Director/Pastor

Mariners Church
02.1997 - 09.2002

Licensed Minister

02-1997

Adjunct Faculty Member, Director Jubilant Song

Azusa Pacific University
07.1994 - 07.1997

Music Minister

Garden Grove Church Of The Nazarene
07.1994 - 02.1997

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