Winter 2013/Pasadena

WS518

Johnson

WS518: WORSHIP MINISTRY ON THE LORD’S DAY. Todd E. Johnson.

DESCRIPTION: This course explores both the practical and theological dimensions of worship leadership and examines issues relating to the planning and implementing of worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday or Sabbath) in various Christian traditions. A significant part of the course will be devoted to the actual practice of worship leadership and the careful theological planning of worship on the Lord’s Day. Students will be given opportunity to participate in the planning process of all-seminary chapels, will be exposed to the worship life of an actual congregation, and plan worship for that church. Further, the course gives opportunity to develop skills in the public reading of Scripture; leading in prayer, extempore and prescribed; application of pastoral care to worship; musical selection and leadership.

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

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Four goals for learning will drive this course: First, the student will understand the importance and centrality of corporate worship to the mission and ministry of a congregation. Second, the student will understand the tasks required for liturgical leadership in a variety of liturgical styles. Third, the student will develop a greater understanding of their own gifts and skills for pastoral ministry and liturgical ministry specifically. Fourth, the student will be able to articulate and apply a praxis-theory-praxis methodology for liturgical ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions each. It will involve lecture and discussion of reading material, as well as various forms of applying the 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:

Course Reader.

Bradshaw, Paul. Two Ways of Praying. OSL Publications, 2008. ISBN: 9781878009593. Retail price: $19.95. (55pp.)

Caccamo, Johnson, and Ruth. Living Worship. Brazos Press, 2010. ISBN: 9781587432958. Retail price: $27.99. DVD-rom.

Cherry, Constance. The Worship Architect. Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN: 9780801038747. Retail price: $22.99. (200pp.)

Johnson, Todd. The Conviction of Things Not Seen. Brazos, 2002. ISBN: 9781587430329. Retail price: $28. (150pp.)

White, James. Introduction to Christian Worship. 3rd ed. Abingdon, 2000. ISBN: 9780687091096. Retail Price: $33. (250pp)

A book of worship and hymnal/songbook used in the student’s tradition (student’s choice).

CHOOSE ONE:

Ramshaw, Gail. Christian Worship: 100,000 Sundays of Symbols and Rituals. Fortress Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780800662332. Retail price: $30. (200pp.)

OR

Foley, Edward, From Age to Age, revised and expanded. Liturgical Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780814430785. Retail Price: $29.95. (Recommended for WTA students) (220pp.)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Black, Kathy. Worship Across Cultures. Abingdon, 1998. ISBN: 9780687056521. Retail price: $25.

Costen, Melva Wilson. African American Worship. 2nd ed. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 9780687646227. Retail price: $18.

Gonzalez, Justo L., ed. Alabadle! Hispanic Christian Worship. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 9780687010325. Retail price: $18.

Hawn, Michael. Gather into One. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 9780802809834. Retail price: $30.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Assigned readings, attendance and participation in class discussions. 10% (2) A report of a participant observation of a Christian worship service outside one’s tradition. 20% (3) Participation in the planning and leading of a prayer service or chapel. 10% (4) Craft elements of corporate worship in response to assigned case studies from the Living Worship DVD. 30% (5) Final assignment: planning of an entire worship service for the church in the Living Worship DVD (annotated with reasons for choices). 30%

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in General Ministry & Spirituality (MIN 1) or in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN 6); required course for MDiv Worship, Theology and the Arts concentration and the MA in WTA.