WOR - Worship

Theology of Lyric investigates the theological content found in the text of hymns and worship songs, determining how these lyrics align with Scripture and the various traditional teachings. In taking this class, the student will explore various tenets of the Church and gain an understanding of how to write hymn, worship and poetic texts reflecting these traditions. Students are recommended to take WOR-325 prior to this course.

This course examines the biblical, historical, and theological foundations of Christian worship and rituals in order for each student to derive a practice of worship which is culturally relevant yet rooted in the rich tradition of the ages. This course moves from theory to practice with actual preparation for leading worship. Co-requisite: WOR-235P.

Each student will be involved in practical experiences in a local ministry setting providing the student with a "laboratory" for the application of the principles of Christian worship as taught in the co-requisite course. Prerequisite or co-requisite: WOR-235

An introduction to a wide variety of media and technologies used for worship in local church or para-church ministries. Students will learn basic operations for such things as lighting, sound, videography, presentational software, desktop publishing, graphic editing, digital imaging, and podcasting. In addition, theological reflection upon the use of such media and technologies and the pastoral sensibilities needed for their use in a ministry setting will be emphasized. Prerequisite: ENG-120.

This course is a foundational course enabling persons who serve in cross-cultural or multi-ethnic North American churches to worship in and influence the worship of various cultures. Students explore worship expressions from different world traditions and are introduced to models and tools of worship analysis in order to encourage the use of music and other art forms appropriate to diverse ministry contexts.

This course will explore the biblical understanding of time and how Christians have organized time for purposes of corporate worship. Students will examine how the observance of the Christian year proclaims the story of God in Christ by remembering specific events which recount God's divine activity. Particular attention is given to creating special services of worship expressive of the primary seasons of the sacred calendar (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost). Prerequisites: THE-101, WOR-235 and WOR-235P.

A historical survey and theological examination of Christian congregational song used throughout twenty centuries of Christian worship ranging from chant to contemporary praise choruses, from traditional Western hymnody to global worship songs. Some attention is given to utilizing a variety of song types in worship design and introducing congregations to and leading them in new song forms for worship. Prerequisites: WOR-235 and WOR-235P or with permission of Division.

Theology of Lyric investigates the theological content found in the text of hymns and worship songs, determining how these lyrics align with Scripture and the various traditional teachings. In taking this class, the student will explore various tenets of the Church and gain an understanding of how to write hymn, worship and poetic texts reflecting these traditions. Students are recommended to take WOR-325 prior to this course.

Explores the history of Christian worship from the close of the New Testament era to the modern period tracing the development and changes through history. The history section of this course uses the accepted rubric for worship studies: Time, Space, Prayer, Scripture, sacraments along with coverage of other elements of modern worship and their historical roots. The philosophy section examines various theologies and philosophies of worship in order to aid the student in developing his or her own practical worship theory. Prerequisites: THE-101, WOR-235 and WOR-235P.

This course is designed to combine theological reflection with practical application as students acquaint themselves with the basic rituals of worship and passage in the evangelical tradition. Open to juniors and seniors in the Division of Practical Theology. Prerequisite: REL-200, THE-101, WOR-235, and WOR-235P.

This course helps students integrate a biblical, theological, historical, pastoral, liturgical, and cultural understanding of Christian worship for the purpose of discipling believers to become informed and engaged participants in corporate worship. Students learn how the preparation for and leadership of Christian worship services are vehicles for worship discipleship in the local church. Open only to senior worship majors and minors who have been admitted to the Christian Worship program.

Each student will be involved in a practical experience producing actual worship services providing the student with a laboratory for the convergence of the courses in communications, music and religion and related to the co-requisite course. These worship management experiences include experience in planning, budgeting, recruiting, organizing, supervising volunteers, and related activities required of a producer or manager of Christian worship services. Co-requisite: WOR-438.

Congregational passivity is a recognized challenge in many 21st century worshiping communities. Yet, corporate worship in the Scriptures is consistently portrayed as the active engagement of the people. This course will help leaders identify a wide range of ancient and emerging practices useful for actively engaging worshipers, and strategize ways to pastorally move them toward becoming full participants.