Worship [WO]
WO0515 Public Worship: Leadership in Word and Sacrament, Prayer and Thanksgiving
With the aim of preparing evangelical leaders of public worship, this course engages the student in the experience of worship as an encounter between God’s Word and community. It combines the practice of communal worship with biblical, theological, historical, and interfaith reflection. The course focuses on embodied skills of liturgical planning and presiding through a creative, Gospel-rooted approach to rituals, sermons, art, music, and hymnody (local and global, as well as ecumenical, traditional, and contemporary) of Christian worship practice. Through these practices, students give witness to Jesus Christ in God’s mission of reconciliation, justice, and peace for all creation.
Prerequisite: OT0115 Law and Narrative or NT0214-NT0218, or equivalent; SG0401 Thinking Theologically and Confessing Publicly
Full course
WO4527 Music and Worship: Creative Integration
The focus of this course is the use of music in worship and how music enhances proclamation in worship. The integration of hymnody, psalmody, liturgical music and chant will be examined historically though the primary attention is given to the vast spectrum of diverse musical possibilities available today and the mechanics of creative implementation. The class focuses on the various musical components of worship – primarily making use of Evangelical Lutheran Worship resources – though other contemporary and ecumenical resources will be consulted.
Prerequisite: WO0515 Public Worship
Full course
Electives: Christian Ministry, MDiv Leadership
WO4544 Liturgy and Origins: Sources of Renewal
Through a re-reading of primary, historical liturgical texts, particularly from the early church, we will explore how different communities have searched for a language to witness to the Christ event and ask what that witness means for our liturgical celebrations today. Issues of the origins and normative patterns for worship will be studied.
Prerequisite: WO0515 Public Worship
Full course
Electives: Christian Ministry, MDiv Leadership
WO4562 Worship Forming Community: Prayer and Music Leadership
A set of hands-on training labs focused on building skills and developing a greater sensitivity for worship and music leadership. The aim is to help worship leaders in imagining and leading transformative worship experiences. The course will be taught by a variety of practitioners, and will primarily be participatory workshops rather than lecture-based classes. Topics will include but not be limited to: Sunday and seasonal worship planning, lector and presider training, crafting words and prayers for public worship; how to teach new songs to a congregation; encountering and encouraging diversity in worship; re-imagining our physical worship space; expanding your church's musical repertoire; visual art and symbols in worship that are deep and provocative.
Half course
WO4597 Guided Reading and Research in Worship
An independent study for qualified students under the personal supervision of a member of the division. Consult faculty within division.
Electives: Christian Ministry, MDiv Leadership
WO6598/8599 Guided Reading and Research in Worship
An independent study for students in Advanced Theological Education. Consult faculty within division and the Advanced Theological Education Office.