Winter 2007/Pasadena
WS500
Johnson

WS500: CHRISTIAN WORSHIP: LEADERSHIP AND PRACTICE. Todd E. Johnson.


DESCRIPTION: This course explores both the practical and theological dimensions of worship leadership, its planning and implementation, in various traditions. A significant part of the course will be devoted to the actual practice of worship leadership and the careful theological planning of worship events (including occasional services such as weddings and funerals). Students will be given the opportunity to participate in the planning process of our all seminary chapels. Students will be exposed to various case studies of worship within congregations and to plan worship for those churches, and will have the opportunity to develop skills in the public reading of Scripture, leading in prayer (ex tempore and prescribed), application of pastoral care to worship, as well as musical selection and leadership.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will (1) understand the importance and centrality of corporate worship to the mission and ministry of a congregation; (2) understand the tasks required for liturgical leadership in a variety of liturgical styles; (3) be able to integrate liturgical planning and pastoral care; (4) develop a greater understanding of their own gifts and skills for pastoral ministry and liturgical ministry specifically; (5) be able to articulate and apply a praxis-theory-praxis methodology for liturgical ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR 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, of both discipleship and evangelism. This course will teach the integration of worship and pastoral ministry and qualities that determine its effectiveness and excellence.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly for two-hour meetings of lecture, discussion of readings, and various forms of applying concepts in this class to liturgical praxis. The course grade will be based on projects involving case studies and other exercises of applications of the course material.

REQUIRED READING:

Black, Kathy. Worship across Cultures. Abingdon, 1998.

Hoffman, Lawrence. The Art of Public Prayer. Skylight Paths, 1999.

Liesch, Barry. The New Worship. Baker, 2001.

Webber, Robert E. Worship Is a Verb. Hendrickson, 1999.

White, Susan. Foundations of Worship. Westminster John Knox, 2006.

One denominational book of worship and one hymnal/worship resource used in your worship tradition.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Costen, Melva Wilson. African American Worship. Abingdon, 1993.

Gonzalez, Justo L., ed. Alabadle! Hispanic Christian Worship. Abingdon, 1996.

Hawn, Michael. Gather into One. Eerdmans, 2003.

Maynard-Reid, P. Diverse Worship: African American, Caribbean & Hispanic Perspectives. IVP, 2000.

Schmit, Clayton J. Public Reading of Scripture. Abingdon, 2002.

White, James. Protestant Worship: Traditions in Transition. Westminster John Knox, 1989.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Completion of assigned readings, attendance & participation in class discussions [10%]. (2) A report of a participant observation of a Christian worship service outside your tradition [15%]. (3) Participation in planning and leading a prayer service or chapel [15%]. (4) Plan for a "traditional" service and a contemporary/emerging service [20%]. (5) Plan for a wedding and a funeral [20%]. (6) The final assignment is to plan a worship service for an actual church within the student's tradition [20%].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN 6) or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for other master's degrees.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.