DESCRIPTION:

This course focuses on the history, theology and practice of worship in the Reformed tradition. We will trace the development and patterns of worship with particular attention to underlying theology as a basis for developing our understanding of the practice of worship in the Reformed tradition today. The course will include a study of the structure of weekly worship services, the sacraments, special occasion services, and the place of children and youth in worship.

Worship is the central experience of our life as a community of believers. This course is intended to examine how it shapes our faith, life, and relationships with God and each other.

The class will be participatory in style. It presumes reading of the assignments before coming to class. The teaching method will combine lectures, case studies, and group discussion. Class will meet twice a week in two-hour sessions.

Dawn, Marva J. Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down. Eerdmans, 1995.

Duck, Ruth C. Finding Words for Worship: A Guide for Leaders. Westminster/John Knox, 1995.

Reformed Liturgy & Music, XXVI, 1, Winter 1992. (Children as participants.)

Reformed Liturgy & Music, XXIX, 3, 1995. (The Eucharist, I.)

Reformed Liturgy & Music, XXIX, 4, 1995. (The Eucharist, II.)

Reformed Liturgy & Music, XXXI, 4, 1997. (Children and Worship.)

White, James F. A Brief History of Christian Worship. Abingdon, 1993.

Willimon, William H. Worship as Pastoral Care. Abingdon, 1979.

For Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) students:

The Book of Order (1995/96 or later).

Exploring Presbyterian Worship. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 1994.

For RCA students:

Liturgy and Psalms. Eerdmans, 1968.

For Disciples of Christ students:

Thankful Praise: A Resource for Christian Worship. CBP Press, 1987.

Book of Common Worship. Westminster/John Knox, 1993.

Burkhart, John E. Worship: A Searching Examination of Liturgical Experience. Westminster, 1982.

Davies, J. G., ed. Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship. Westminster, 1986.

Jones, Cheslyn, et al., eds. The Study of Liturgy. Oxford University Press, 1978.

Reformed Liturgy & Music, XXXI, 1, 1997. (Liturgical Reform.)

Reformed Liturgy & Music, XXXI, 3, 1997. (The Art of Worship.)

Thompson, Brad. Liturgies of the Western Church. Fortress Press, 1961.

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

1. Three one-page papers (personal experience, not research papers).

2. One 10 to 15 page paper due at mid-term.

3. Final Project/Paper due at the final class meeting.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN 6).