Winter 2009/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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goals for this course are that students will
- learn of the rich musical heritage of the Christian church at worship;
- acquire evaluation skills (musical and theological) for determining
appropriate use of music in worship; and
- 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.
- Mitchell, Robert H. Ministry and Music. Westminster Press, 1978.
- Westermeyer, Paul. Te Deum: The Church and Music. Augsburg Fortress,
1998.
- Course reader.
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 philosophy of church music
(3-5 pages), (5) listening to a course discography and preparing written
evaluation of each work (1-2 pages each), (6) a project that relates the
attributes of God to musical selections for worship use (4-5 pages, (7)
research of Internet sources for worship music, and (8) a final paper (3-5
pages) on a subject negotiated with instructor relating to the student's
individual need.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required for the MA or MDiv concentration in
Worship and Music Ministry. 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.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/08)