WORSHIP AND SACRAMENTS

Whitworth University Diploma in Lay Pastoral Ministry Program

June 13-17, 2011, 2:00-5:00 PM, Music Building room 200

Dr. Benjamin Brody, instructor

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

            This course will provide students with an introduction to the theology, history, and current practice of worship in Christian churches.  Students will gain a solid theological understanding of worship in the Bible, a history of the practice of Christian worship in churches over the past 2,000 years, an introduction to the development and practice of the sacraments in worship, and practical application in creating worship services and incorporating music and the arts into corporate worship.

COURSE MATERIALS:

• Required Text:  Webber, Robert.  Worship Old and New, Revised Edition.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.

• Recommended Text:  The Presbyterian Hymnal:  Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs.  Louisville, Kentucky:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Students will understand the origin and development of Christian worship in its specific historical and theological contexts and the role of music in worship throughout the history of the Christian church.

• Students will utilize critical thinking skills in analyzing various worship practices and will demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills through engagement in class discussion and the written project.

• 21st-century corporate Christian worship reflects complex influences of tradition, culture, societal values, and theology.  Students will understand their own worship practice in this context and will be encouraged and equipped to facilitate changes in their worship practices which more accurately reflect a biblical theology of worship.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

            June 13            Theology of Worship

            June 14            A Brief History of Worship Practice

            June 15            Worship Renewal and the Sacraments

            June 16            Music and the Arts in Christian Worship

            June 17            Worship service planning, resources

COURSE PROJECT:

Final project due:  November 1

            Prepare an order of worship for a service centered on a theme of your choice, approved by the instructor.  The service order should include congregational music, instrumental music (prelude, postlude), other music (choir, bells, soloist, etc.), prayers, other spoken parts of the liturgy, any sacraments, and other worship elements.  Be sure to either include the complete text of prayers, or, if the prayer is not scripted, give a summary of what the prayer is about.

            You should include a couple of paragraphs describing the group of people (your congregation) for whom this service is written.  Are they a large or small group, rural or urban, a particular ethnic group, etc.  You may want to describe what sort of industry is most prevalent in the community.  Your service should be designed to deeply engage the community that you are serving. 

            You should include (either within the bulletin, or attached to it), a running commentary about why you chose what you chose, and why you put it into the order that you did. 

            Here are a few ideas of service topics:

• A particular church season (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost)
• A particular Sunday of the church year (i.e. 1st Sunday in Advent)
• A service celebrating music, God’s gift of music
• A funeral
• A wedding
• A service focused on healing
• A service for an educational community celebrating learning
• A service focused on grieving
• A service of Thanksgiving
• A service focused on confession of sin/assurance of forgiveness
• A service on the theme of light/darkness
• A service on themes of creation

By no means restrict yourselves to this list!  Come up with your own ideas and run them by me.  While there is not a page limit to this, I am guessing that it will probably be at least 4-5 pages, including your commentary.  I am happy to discuss with you via e-mail (bbrody@whitworth.edu) or phone ((509)777-3214) if you have questions or need ideas.