Course Description

This course explores worship in an overview that highlights but is not limited to the “Sunday morning worship service”. It considers the theological, biblical and historical underpinnings of Christian worship, the significance of the integration of “intensive” and “extensive” worship, individual and corporate worship, the sacraments and current worship issues and trends. The format of the course further seeks to “open the arts” in the art of worship in appreciation and celebration of our Creator-God.

In this course, participants will first, critically examine and reflect on their worship perceptions and practices as worshippers “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Second, participants will discuss and articulate a theology of worship based on personal experiences, insights, course content and continued responses to the God who invites worship.

Learning Objectives

• To identify key elements of worship and its various expressions within the Christian tradition.
• To summarize the theological, historical and biblical underpinnings of worship.
• To discuss worship preparations and practices, alone and in community, intensive and extensive, and their interdependence on each other.
• To describe baptism and communion narratives in light of calling and discipleship.
• To identify current trends and issues in worship

Required Texts

• The Bible (Various translations. The New Revised Standard version is recommended.)
• An Altar for the World: A Geography of Faith, Barbara Taylor Brown, New York: Harper One, 2009.
• The Work of the People: What We Do In Worship and Why, Marlea Gilbert et al., Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2007