DESCRIPTION: This course will be an interactive experience for planning,
leading, and evaluating corporate worship, particularly from the standpoint of
the musical leader. There will be personal and group experiences in the process
of planning and leading worship, including journaling of worship experiences,
creating materials for corporate worship, principles for working with
volunteers, all combined with an emphasis on spiritual formation and pastoral
and theological principles of worship leading. Students will be encouraged in
the use of a wide spectrum of worship styles and resources, in addition to
evaluating their use for specific purposes within sacred settings. Maximum
benefit for this course will be received by the student who is an active music
leader in a worship setting.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) learn of the broad musical heritage of
the Christian church at worship, (2) acquire evaluation skills (musical and
theological) for determining appropriate use of music in worship, (3) grow in
their musical leadership skills in Christian worship, and (4) be spiritually
prepared for ministries relating to the use of music in worship.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Corporate worship is a basic part of the spiritual
life for Christ followers. The world of worship ministry is in need of
God-focused, balanced, qualified, effective, skilled, and creative leaders. A
mentoring ministry can make a steady and needed impact on local churches and
other ministries of present and future generations. The goal of this course is
to engage the hearts and souls of men and women who are called to be worship
leaders, encourage the development of their personal character and professional
skills, and commission them to lives of effective ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet for a two-hour session each week. In
addition, each student is expected to be involved in musical worship leadership
in an established worship setting during the quarter. There will be reading
assignments, group planning and evaluation sessions, mentoring for personal
skill enhancement, resource discovery and assessment, consideration of tools
designed to encourage personal spiritual growth. The grade for the course will
be based on understanding of reading materials, participation in discussion and
group assignments, creative project assignments, along with worship leadership
and attendance.
REQUIRED READING: