Ken Barker

Ken Barker is an American church musician, arranger, and editor whose work shaped late-20th- and early-21st-century evangelical hymnals. Educated in music (B.M.E., West Texas A&M, 1977; M.M.E., University of North Texas, 1979), he served on church staffs and then in publishing leadership with Word Music and later LifeWay Worship. Barker was an associate/senior editor or project leader for major volumes including The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (1986), Songs for Praise & Worship (1991), The Celebration Hymnal (1997), and the Baptist Hymnal (2008). In addition to editorial work, he has published numerous choral and keyboard arrangements and remains active in local church ministry and in mentoring worship leaders.

J. S. McDuff (from Celebration Ministry Staffing biography of Ken Barker and related professional notices; see also blog.discoverworship.com industry features, retrieved 10/10/2025)