Principles of Leadership for the Worship Leader – WRSP 530

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A study of the characteristics and responsibilities of a good leader as they relate to the worship leader. Planning, organizing, staff development, and decision-making are topics of consideration.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Leadership is influence. One of the greatest opportunities for positive influence is that of the worship leader upon those who follow that leader into the presence of God in worship. This is a core course in the Master of Arts in Worship Studies curricula, and it is designed to enhance and encourage the worship leader with leadership skills in the following areas: personal character and godliness, worship ministry administration, and integrating the worship ministry throughout the church.

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 (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. There are 3 Discussions completed in this course. While there is no required word count, students normally write between 250 and 300 words for the original thread and 150 words for the replies. The student must demonstrate knowledge of the course content while working to incorporate personal experiences as appropriate. Threads should focus on demonstrating good engagement with others and mastery of the content rather than a word count. Optional Live Discussions may be offered and require the download of TEAMS software to participate. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Leadership Strengths Assignment

The student will summarize an understanding of each of the five strengths identified in the online CliftonStrengths Assessment. The student will explain whether he/she believes each accurately defines his/her strengths for leadership. The responses should at least 3 sentences in length. (CLO: B)

Personal Leadership Profile Assignment

The student will submit a 4­–5-page paper synthesizing the information gleaned from the results of the Clifton Strengths Assessment and readings from Clifton and Maxwell texts. The student will describe the 5 strengths assigned in the Clifton Strengths Assessment and explain how they can be used effectively in leadership opportunities Turabian format is required. (CLO: A, B, C)

Time Management Narrated PowerPoint Assignment

The student will develop an 8-10 slide narrated PPT that explains a time-management plan. The student's presentation should offer details on at least 20 required duties of a leadership role in worship ministry. The student should  explore how he/she will complete each task, including the potential for delegating or possibly deleting items from his/her “to-do” list. This assignment allows for creativity and use of time management techniques discussed in the course, or other plans that the student uncovers through additional research (CLO: A, B, C)

Personal Spiritual Growth, Vision and Application Paper Assignment

The student will write a 4–5-page paper describing the requirement of worship leaders to engage in personal spiritual growth, including individual practices in daily worship. The student should reference the concept of receiving and casting vision and other ministry-based decisions that result from personal growth. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Leader Scenario Response Assignment

The student will choose 3 of 5 problem-solving or conflict-based situations and will write at least a one-page response to how he/she would deal with the situation based on his/her personal leadership strengths, insight from course materials, and guidance from Scripture.

(CLO: A, B,C, D)

Biblical Leader Research Paper Assignment

The student will write a 5 to 7-page research paper that examines the worship lifestyle and leadership qualities of one biblical character. Turabian formatting is required and scholarly sources and the Bible must be cited.  (CLO: A, C, D)