Current Issues in Worship – WRSP 540
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 12/12/2022
Course Description
A study of the current trends and issues related to worship. Consideration is given to various worship models, worship evangelism, and church worship in transition.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The Bible says in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” However, over the centuries, the enemies of the Church have made every effort to derail and destroy the institution that God established. It is imperative that Christians, particularly the leaders in the Church, are equipped to defend the faith as it says in Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
In the twenty-first century we have witnessed a significant deterioration of a traditional, orthodox theology and biblical literacy in the Church and Christians are less equipped to combat the attacks of the Enemy. Also, disparate political views have affected the thinking of many of today’s leaders. This course offers practical application for thinking through and understanding several of the issues facing the Church today.
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 (5)
The student will participate in 5 Discussions. Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will post a thread of 350 words in 3 paragraphs. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words in 1 paragraph.
Pinson Book Critique Assignment
A book critique is a summary/evaluation of the book involved. The Pinson Book Critique Assignment must be 5–7 pages, double-spaced. This is a formal paper and must follow current Turabian guidelines. This assignment must include a biographical entry, author information, content summary, and an evaluation.
Research Paper Assignment
This 12–15-page research paper, in current Turabian style, provides opportunity for the student to clearly articulate ways the issues discussed in this course can be turned into ministry opportunities. It involves reviewing an assigned ministry website and answering provided questions about it. This paper must include at least 20 scholarly sources.
McNeal Reflections Assignments (2)
Author Reggie McNeal writes in The Present Future says he is “writing this book as a polemical volume.” He wants to challenge church leaders to evaluate commonly held positions and rediscover the Church’s mission. Upon reading assigned chapters from McNeal's text, students will write a summary/evaluation of each.
Miller Book Review Assignment
Write a 5-7 page review of the book Idol Worship. Summarize the contents. Select three chapters that were especially interesting to you and write about the strengths and weaknesses of those chapters. Were the author’s opinions biblical?
