Spring 2006/Pasadena
WS512
Rienstra/Rienstra

WS512: CRAFTING LANGUAGE FOR WORSHIP: PRAYER, PRAISE, AND PREACHING.
Debra Rienstra and Ron Rienstra.


DESCRIPTION: Should language in worship be scripted or spontaenous, colloquial or elevated? How do we balance the "I" with the "we" in corporate worship? Does it matter how we say things as long as the feeling is authentic? Is the aesthetic dimension of language theologically meaningful or merely a matter of taste? The course will explore these questions and more with two main goals: (1) giving students persuasive reasons for attending to the words we speak and sing in worship, and (2) demonstrating and practicing skills for attending to, evaluating, and crafting vital language in prayers, sermons, songs, and other spoken worship elements across a range of worship styles.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will

  1. gain understanding and appreciation of the importance of language choices in worship for the worshipers' formation in Christian theology and practice; practice communicating that understanding;

  2. develop skills in evaluating worship language in prayers, songs, sermons, and other spoken elements;

  3. practice crafting language for worship in several genres and several worship styles;

  4. create a portfolio of finished worship elements for use in chapel at Fuller or services elsewhere.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Language is one of the most powerfully formative aspects of worship. The language we use helps shape who we are as worshipers and worshiping communities. This course will help prepare pastors and worship leaders to use language thoughtfully and well and to educate and equip congregations with regard to words in worship.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions with discussions of readings and participant-observer worship observations, workshop-style exercises, and in-class presentations.

REQUIRED READING:
Duck, Ruth C. Finding Words for Worship: A Guide for Leaders. Westminster John Knox, 1995.

Schmit, Clayton J. Too Deep For Words: A Theology of Liturgical Expression. Westminster John Knox, 2002.

Wren, Brian. What Language Shall I Borrow? God-talk in Worship: A Male Response to Feminist Theology. Crossroad, 1989.

Course Reader including excerpts from The Worship Sourcebook, Brian Wren's Praying Twice, Gail Ramshaw's Searching for Language, articles on language from various journals, examples from various books of prayers, hymnals, and songbooks.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Four participant-observer exercises observing language in worship: 500 words each (20%).

  2. Participation, including writing and evaluation exercises to be completed in class (15%).

  3. In-class and worship-context presentation of original worship resources, with one-page self-evaluation (15%).

  4. Finished portfolio of original worship resources (30%).

  5. Position paper on language in worship or teaching unit for congregational leaders (15 pp.) (20%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Fulfills requirement for MA Theology and the Arts; MA Worship, Theology and the Arts; MDiv concentration in Worship, Theology and the Arts.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.