Courses

This course examines the biblical, theological, and historical doctrines of the church, with a focus on how these doctrines shape and are shaped by the church's worship practices. Students will explore worship through the lens of ecclesiology, assessing the reciprocal relationship between worship and the church's identity and formation. By engaging with both historical traditions and contemporary approaches, students will gain a deeper understanding of how worship both reflects and forms the church's theological and communal life.

A study of the biblical doctrines of God, humanity, sin, and Christ, and how they inform a theology of and for worship.

A study of the biblical doctrines of Christ?s atonement, salvation, and the Holy Spirit, exploring how these core theological concepts shape and inform a theology both for and of worship.

Exploration and analysis of effective tools for graduate study in Worship Studies. This includes a survey of the most significant literature in the field of Christian worship and the development of scholarly writing and communication skills.

An exploration of leadership principles specific to pastoral ministry. Emphasis is placed on music ministry leadership issues in contemporary church applications.

This course develops a biblical theology of worship by examining key biblical passages that trace the story of worship from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem. Through a theological method grounded in the unfolding progression of Scripture and the distinct perspectives of the biblical writers, students will explore how worship is shaped throughout the biblical narrative, focusing on the enduring principles and practices revealed in the Bible. This course provides a framework for understanding worship within its biblical context, offering a comprehensive view of its role in God's redemptive plan.

This course studies the planning of corporate worship, incorporating musical, liturgical, and artistic elements. Technological tools and applications will be implemented in the teaching and worship plans developed throughout the course.

This course offers a survey of music used in church and devotional settings from the 16th century to the present, emphasizing the integration of church history, theology, and worship repertoire. Students will explore the development of church music within various theological and historical contexts, examining how these factors have shaped worship practices over time. In addition to Western traditions, the course will also investigate church music in non-Western cultures, providing a global perspective on the role of music in Christian worship.

This course explores the nature of beauty and its relationship to the arts in Christian worship, providing a theological and philosophical foundation for understanding how the arts aid in spiritual formation. Students will examine traditional and contemporary art forms, considering their aesthetic components and role in worship, while also engaging with broader cultural philosophies of beauty. By integrating theological insights with aesthetic theory, the course equips students to assess the spiritually transformative power of the arts and integrate them into worship, offering a holistic view of their significance in the Christian life.

Examines the critical components of worship technology including audio, visual, and lighting systems. Special emphasis given to hardware and software tools used in modern corporate worship.

A summer residency course that incorporates skill-based training in areas such as worship leadership, directing vocal teams, worship band methods, and arranging for worship.

This course emphasizes the necessary self-reflective and interpersonal skills needed for success in worship ministry. Special emphasis will be given on the worship pastor/senior pastor relationship and the leadership of volunteer teams.

This course continues to develop the necessary self-reflective and interpersonal skills needed for success in worship ministry. Special emphasis will be given to the worship pastor/senior pastor relationship and the leadership of volunteer teams.

A practical ministry project that synthesizes worship studies coursework. Students will work with faculty to develop and design a project that incorporates biblical, historical, theological, and music in the creation of a worship experience.