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Diploma in Worship, Theology and the Arts Program
It's an exciting time to be involved in planning and leading worship in the Christian church! New music, new technology, new ways of worshiping and new models of church leadership provide many fresh opportunities -- and also daunting challenges -- to those responsible for worship leadership. Negotiating the complexities of worship renewal in the local church and leading congregations in worship is among the most important tasks entrusted to leaders of today’s churches.
Whitworth's Diploma in Worship, Theology, and the Arts Program is designed to help train, equip, and support church musicians and other worship leaders to serve effectively in paid and unpaid leadership positions in the Presbyterian Church (USA), as well as in other denominations. The program balances courses in theology with study in the history, development and current issues in worship and arts ministry.
This non-degree program is designed to be accessible for people who live at a distance from Whitworth University and can study only in larger blocks of time. The program can be completed in as little as two years of study (attending two weeks during two successive summers), or it can be lengthened, depending upon the needs of the student. Students may take all of the courses to earn the diploma, or they may enroll in individual courses for their personal growth and enrichment.
The program is open to all interested participants regardless of ministry experience and educational/denominational background.
Program Format
To earn a diploma in worship, theology and the arts, students must complete the following:
- Eight required foundational courses delivered in two week-long (Monday-Friday) modules of study on the Whitworth campus during two successive summers (four weeks total; two weeks per summer);
- Two additional educational experiences (such as workshops or seminars) of each student's choosing during the months between the summers of study;
- Reading assignments (and/or other assignments) to be completed prior to each module of study;
- Post-class papers and/or projects to be completed in each student's local ministry context.
The eight required foundational courses are as follows:
- Worship and Sacraments
- Music of the Christian Church
- Planning and Leading Music in the Church
- Current Issues in Church Worship and Leadership
- Survey of the Old Testament
- Survey of the New Testament
- Introduction to Church History
- Christian Theology
In addition to the eight foundational courses, diploma students are required to participate in two additional educational experiences of their own choosing between summers, to be approved by the program director. These educational experiences can include online courses, weekend workshops and/or seminars, and other endeavors that help students gain understanding and skills in their leadership roles in churches.
Program Schedule
Courses meet 9 a.m.-noon and 2 p.m.-5, Monday-Friday each week. During the months between summer sessions, students will do required reading and work on papers or projects.
Because of the pre-class reading required for each summer session, the deadline to register for the program is May 1.
Program Faculty
The faculty for the Diploma in Lay Pastoral Ministry Program includes Whitworth professors and staff, as well as other qualified instructors from the community.
Program Director
Benjamin Brody has served as assistant professor of music and director of church music studies at Whitworth University since 2003. He studied music education and church music as an undergraduate at Whitworth and went on to complete graduate degrees in choral conducting from the University of Washington. Prior to his current position, Brody spent four years as director of worship and music at First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. At Whitworth, he teaches courses in church music, music history, and choral literature, and coordinates music for campus worship services. Brody cares deeply about the role of music in corporate worship, and he is passionate about helping pastors, church musicians and worship committees develop faithful worship practices in their congregations. In addition to his work at the university, Brody is director of music at Colbert Presbyterian Church, in Colbert, Wash.
Course schedule:
Summer 2010, 2012
Week One:
Morning: Christian Theology
Afternoon: Music of the Christian Church
Week Two:
Morning: Survey of the New Testament
Afternoon: Worship and Sacraments
Summer 2011, 2013
Week One:
Morning: Old Testament
Afternoon: Current Issues in Church Worship and Leadership
Week Two:
Morning: Planning and Leading Music in the Church
Afternoon: Introduction to Church History
Course Descriptions
- Worship and the Sacraments provides students with an introduction to the theology, history and current practice of worship in Christian churches.
- Music of the Christian Church, offered even years. guides students in listening intelligent listening to and understanding of music in the history of the Christian church with particular focus on the role of music in the worshiping life of Christian communities
- Planning and Leading Music in the Church, offered odd years and taught by a local church musician, focuses on techniques and resources for planning worship services, as well as on practical skills for leading music in congregations. Included are techniques for leading congregational singing, choirs, worship teams, and various instruments.
- Current Issues in Church Worship and Leadership, offered odd years, helps participants to explore particularly challenging issues for worship leaders today. Topics include relationships in ministry, technology in worship, navigating issues of musical style, and educating congregations about worship.
- Survey of the Old Testament provides a comprehensive overview of the literary form, structure and content of the Old Testament.
- Survey of the New Testament highlights the content and theology of the New Testament in light of its literary, historical and religious background.
- Introduction to Church History provides an overview of the major themes, events, and spiritual movements that have shaped the Christian church through the centuries.
- Christian Theology provides an overview of the major doctrines and beliefs of the Christian faith.
Payment plans:
- Pay in full on or before the first day of class and receive a 10-percent discount.
- Pay monthly. Balance in full is due on or before the last day of class (finance charges
may apply).
For further information and to register, contact Michelle Pace at 509.777.3275 or mpace@whitworth.edu
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