Introduction to Creative Worship – WRSP 102

Course Description

This course is an introductory study of creative worship and common technologies used in worship ministry. Application is made to lighting design, audio and video production, presentation software, movement, staging, worship leadership, worship planning, and a variety of multi-media possibilities.

Rationale

Human beings are wired to be creative for God’s glory and honor. At perhaps no other time in history has there been such a compelling cry for creativity in the local church. Each student preparing for leadership roles in the local church in the 21st century must be versed in a variety of the creative tools, techniques, and technological infrastructures available to the worship leader.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 2 discussions that are designed to help facilitate new learning and to make meaningful application of the course concepts to personal experiences. The student will be required to compose a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. The thread should demonstrate course-related knowledge while also sharing personal experiences, as related to the class concepts. In addition, each student must respond to at least two classmates’ threads. While there is no required word count, each student normally writes between 250 and 300 words for the original thread and 150 words for each reply. (CLO: A, B) 

Optional Live Discussions may be offered for this course. Should the student choose to attend a Live Discussion, he/she will need to download a free version of Microsoft Teams (this is available in the Learn section of the assigned Module: Week). A link with instructions on how to download and use Microsoft Teams is included under the Resources header for each Discussion.

Creative Worship Assignments (3)

Creative Worship: Theme and Song Selection Assignment

The student will identify a worship service theme and select at least 5 songs that will be used for the service. (CLO: A, B, D)

Creative Worship: Planning Center Service Creation and Song Submission Assignment

The student will establish an account at Planning Center Online, upload the 5 songs submitted in the Theme and Song Selection Assignment into the Planning Center library, and then load the 5 songs into a service type. (CLO: C, D)

Creative Worship: Final Submission Assignment

In this assignment, the student will finalize his/her service outline in Planning Center and compose a written paper exploring the process for developing his/her creative worship service. (CLO: B, C, D)

Worship Leading Video and Reflection Assignments (3)

The student will record a video of his/her worship leadership, incorporating important concepts discussed in the course. The first 2 video submissions will include one song, and the third video submission will require 2 songs with a transitional element. In addition to the video, the student is required to upload a written 1 to 2-page reflection focusing on the key concept requested in the instructions. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Audio-Video-Lighting Interview, Observation, and Reflection Assignment

The student will explore the audio, video, and lighting technology used in a church by interviewing a church staff member(s) or volunteer(s). This assignment also requires that the student observe the Audio Video Technology team during a worship service or rehearsal and must cover all 3 aspects of AVL (Audio, Video, and Lighting). Specific questions are provided to guide the interview process. The student will complete the interview template and provide a 1 to 2-page reflection following the interview and observation.  (CLO: B, C, D)

The student will view 2 examples of creative worship in 2 different ministry contexts. In the assignment, the student will critique various visual elements used in those contexts and compare what he/she has viewed to course content. The student will also address how visual elements add to creativity in worship. (CLO: B, C)

Worship Leading Observation Assignment

In this assignment, the student will observe 2 local church worship leaders (via livestream church service) and provide a list of at least 5 attributes (mix of positive and negative) exhibited by the worship leader. Visual images (screenshots) of the leader must be included in the assignment submission. The observations must be of 2 different churches and 2 different worship leaders. (CLO: B, C)

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Modules: Weeks. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 17 matching, short answer, multiple choice, and true/false questions, will have a 1-hour time limit, and will allow for 2 attempts with the highest attempt counting towards the grade. (CLO: A, B, C)

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 15 multiple choice and true/false questions, will have a 45-minute time limit, and will allow for 2 attempts with the highest attempt counting towards the grade. (CLO: A, B, C)

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 15 true/false and multiple choice questions, will have a 45-minute time limit, and will allow for 2 attempts. (CLO: A, B, C)