Building a Balanced Worship Ministry – WRSP 551
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This is a course that looks at the various roles the worship leader holds within the mandates of the overall church mission. Consideration is given to the worship leader's relationship to the local church education and discipleship programs, missions and evangelism outreach ministries, preaching and teaching ministries, women's and men's ministries, children, youth and young adult ministries, and creative arts ministries.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The church today is experiencing many changes. The worship leader must understand that leading worship requires many techniques for balancing the needs of age groups within the church, of preferences for various musical styles within the congregation, and of sharing worship resources with other programs of the church through collaboration and teamwork. To that end, the readings and video lectures in this course draw on the wisdom and expertise of a variety of leaders in ministry.
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)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Each student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be 500-600 words. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250-300 words. Current Turabian format must be used, as well as correct spelling and grammar. (CLO: C)
Statement of Goals Assignment
Each student will write an individual statement of goals for the course. This essay will help the student focus on what each module's topic has to offer for professional growth, and help the instructor understand each student's learning goals and ministry aspirations. (CLO: A)
Summary and Application Assignments (2)
For each Summary and Application Assignment, the student will write a 3 to 4 page observation and application paper in current Turabian Format. Each Summary and Application Assignment has its own instructions and templates designating the assigned textbook and chapters. (CLO: A, B, C)
Book Report Assignments (3)
For each Book Report Assignment, the student will write 1,800 words in current Turabian format that reviews and assesses the required textbook reading. Each assigned textbook has its own Book Report Assignment Template. The Book Report Templates show what to report about each book individually. (CLO: A, B, D)
Plan for Strategic Action Assignment
The student will develop a 750-word plan for creating a more balanced, well-rounded, and effective worship and music ministry in a church or congregation with which the student is familiar. This plan is then developed into the Capstone Project. (CLO: B, C)
Capstone Project Assignment
Working from the Plan for Strategic Action Assignment, the student will write a 10-15 page Capstone Project Assignment. This is the culminating assignment for WRSP 551, and prepares the student for worship and music leadership in a church or congregation. See the Capstone Project Assignment Instructions for more details. (CLO: A, D, E)
