Fall 2006/Pasadena
WS514
Willmington

WS514: MUSIC IN WORSHIP: HISTORY, PRACTICE, AND THEOLOGY. Edwin M. Willmington.


DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to be a survey of how music has been used in the church as a means of declaring the message of God in the world and an expression of faith. Students will be guided through historical periods, trends, styles, controversies, and varieties of musical media from past to present. The course will aid the student to consider the theological issues relating to the use of music in worship.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goals for this course are that students will

  1. learn of the rich musical heritage of the Christian church at worship;

  2. acquire evaluation skills (musical and theological) for determining appropriate use of music in worship; and

  3. be spiritually prepared for ministries relating to the use of music in worship.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Music has long been a primary means for faith expression throughout church history, even predating the church. Music has also been a misunderstood and controversial art in the life of the church that deserves attention by those involved in ministry. Every minister will likely be called upon to assess the role of music in the life of the church at some level, either individually or for corporate purposes. The course will attempt to create a backdrop from the past that allows for a balanced theology of music ministry in the present, with attention given to the particular tradition of each student.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice each week for two-hour sessions. There will be reading assignments, lecture, group assignments, as well as tools designed to encourage personal spiritual growth. The grade for the course will be based on understanding of reading and lecture materials, active discussion participation, responsible participation in group assignments, as well as written and research assignments.

REQUIRED READING:
Best, Harold M. Music through the Eyes of Faith. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.

Johansson, Calvin M. Music and Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint. Hendrickson, 1984.

Westermeyer, Paul. Te Deum: The Church and Music. Augsburg Fortress, 1998.

Wilson-Dickson, Andrew. The Story of Christian Music: From Gregorian Chant to Black Gospel. Augsburg Fortress, 2003.

Course reader.
Plus one book on Spiritual Formation from list in syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be responsible for (1) reading and lecture material, (2) a weekly journal of worship experiences during the quarter (1 page or less, each), (3) a written profile of his or her music and worship journey (3-5 pages), (4) a paper on the student's theology of church music (3-5 pages), (5) listening to a course discography and preparing written evaluation of each piece (1-2 pages each), (6) a project that relates the attributes of God to musical selections for worship use (4-5 pages), (7) one reflection paper on a book from the secondary list (2-3 pages), (8) research of Internet sources for worship music, and (9) a final paper (3-5 pages) on a subject negotiated with instructor relating to the student's individual need.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a concentration option in the MDiv (Worship, Theology, and the Arts concentration) and in the MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts. Recommended to be taken simultaneously with WS515 Musical Worship Leadership Practicum.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.