DESCRIPTION: This practical theology course explores both the practical and theological dimensions of worship leadership and examines issues relating to the planning and implementing of worship on the Lord's Day (Sunday or Sabbath) in various Christian traditions. A significant part of the course will be devoted to the careful theological planning of worship on the Lord's Day. Students will be introduced to the histories and theologies of Christian worship through time and around the globe. Students will also be exposed to the worship life of an actual congregation, and plan worship for that church. Further, the course gives opportunity to develop skills in evaluating and crafting various elements for worship.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The phrase "going to church" almost always refers to attending a worship service of a Christian community--whether it meets in a church building or not. This reflects the reality that worship is the most public face a congregation has for its members and the world. Effective and reflective worship leadership is the keystone of ministry, both discipleship and evangelism. This course will teach the integration of worship and pastoral ministry and qualities that determine its effectiveness and excellence.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Four goals for learning will drive this course: the student will (1) be able to describe the importance and centrality of corporate worship to the mission and ministry of a congregation; (2) develop a list of the tasks required for liturgical leadership in a variety of liturgical styles; (3) be familiar enough with historical patterns and elements of worship in Christian traditions to use them for comparison in evaluating current practices in a particular tradition; (4) be able to articulate and apply a praxis-theory-praxis methodology for liturgical ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: Conducted online via Moodle, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the course material through journaling, threaded discussions, web-based research, case studies, and applying the concepts to liturgical praxis.

REQUIRED READING AND RESOURCES:

Online Resources (in Moodle).

Bradshaw, Paul. Two Ways of Praying. OSL Publications, 2008. ISBN: 9781878009593. Retail price: $19.95.

Caccomo, James F., Todd E. Johnson, and Lester Ruth. Living Worship [DVD]. Brazos Press, 2010. ISBN: 9781587432958. Retail price: $27.99.

Cherry, Constance. The Worship Architect. Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN: 9780801038747. Retail price: $22.99.

Ellis, Christopher J. Gathering: A Theology and Spirituality of Worship in Free Church Tradition. SCM Press, 2004. ISBN 9780334029670 . Retail price: $40.

Johnson, Todd. The Conviction of Things Not Seen. Brazos, 2002. ISBN: 9781587430329. Retail price: $28.

White, James. Introduction to Christian Worship. 3rd ed. Abingdon, 2000. ISBN: 9780687091096. Retail Price: $33.

A book of worship and hymnal/songbook used in the student's tradition (student's choice).

Black, Kathy. Worship across Cultures. Abingdon, 1998. ISBN: 9780687056521. Retail price: $25.

Costen, Melva Wilson. African American Worship. 2nd ed. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 9780687646227. Retail price: $18.

Gonzalez, Justo L., ed. Alabadle! Hispanic Christian Worship. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 9780687010325. Retail price: $18.

Hawn, Michael. Gather into One. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 9780802809834. Retail price: $30.

1. Assigned readings, Weekly Threaded Discussions (25%), Journaling (10%)

2. A report of a participant observation of a Christian worship service outside one's tradition (15%)

3. Craft elements of corporate worship in response to assigned case studies from the Living Worship DVD (30%)

4. Final assignment: planning of an entire worship service for the church in the Living Worship DVD (annotated by reasons for choices) (20%)