The Certificate in Worship Arts is designed for pastors, worship leaders, choir directors and lay people who desire to expand their knowledge of the biblical and historical foundations of Christian worship and learn practical applications and key insights to further their ministry. The program consists of four seminars and a final project. Upon completion of these requirements, students will receive a certificate of completion. The program will be done in a cohort model and will be fully online.

September 5-October 23

Seminar 1: Histories and Theories of Worship

This course will explore the biblical and historical practices of worship from the patriarchal period to postmodern times. Attention will be given to each period with relation to how the practice of the church today is shaped and informed by the worship practices throughout the history of God’s people and the Christian church.

Topics can include:

• An introduction to biblical worship including an Old and New Testament vocabulary of worship; biblical worship as a response to and re-presentation of saving events; and the concepts of symbolism, covenant, and sacrifice
• A study of the history and institutions of biblical worship for the Israelite and New Testament communities
• A historical overview of Christian worship including the links between New Testament and early Christian worship and worship in the early church (to a.d. 500), the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the pre-Reformation Western (Catholic) church, the Reformation and post-Reformation Protestant eras, and the renewal movements of the past century
• A survey of historic models and theories of worship

October 31 - December 18

Seminar 2: Contextualization and Practical Applications for Worship

This course will help to foster the understanding that there are a wide variety of contemporary cultural expressions of worship. Students will gain skills in indentifying practical theological questions for and interpreting their context. Along with developing these skills, students will be challenged to reflect theologically on worship and worship planning in their context of service.

Topics can include:

• Congregational Study for deeper understanding of local history and theologies of worship
• Ways to prepare for worship renewal and challenges renewalists face
• An examination of traditional worship practices.
• Developing Biblical and Theological Foundations for Worship
• An overview of and applications for the four-fold pattern of worship
• Summaries of the primary seasons of the Christian year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, and the Easter season (including Pentecost)

January 9 - February 26

Seminar 3: Music & the Arts in Worship

This course will lead students into a deeper understanding of the use of various art forms in worship. Students will study the historical use of these art forms, as well as develop a theology of the arts that can be used to inform the voice and choice of art in worship.

Topics can include:

• Studies from both the past and present that provide historical developments and theological backgrounds for music and the arts in worship
• Summaries of all the forms and styles of the non-musical arts in Christian worship with an emphasis on the visual arts, drama, dance, architecture, and the literary arts
• Practical applications for music and the arts in modern worship
• A review of the many roles music and the arts serve in worship
• Ideas for building and developing a worship team
• Insight into ways music and the arts contribute to worship renewal
• An examination of the philosophy and use music and the arts in biblical worship including the Psalms, instruments, dance, and visual elements

March 5 - March 16, April 9 - May 6 (Two Week off for Easter)

Seminar 4: The Sacred Actions & Ministries of Worship

Understanding that the impact of worship includes more than what happens on the platform in a Sunday service, this course will introduce students to the sacraments of the church, occasional services and the ways that worship can serve to shape congregations, parishioners and their mission in the world.

Topics will include:

• A historical analysis of how Christian worship, from its beginnings in first-century Jerusalem to its present practice around the world, has always been dependent on actions as well as words
• Biblical, historical, and contemporary descriptions of the acts of baptism, breaking of bread, washing of feet, anointing with oil, and laying on of hands
• Studies of the worldwide observance of Christian worship for the seasons of life – child dedication and baptism, marriage, and funerals
• Worship ministries within the church including pastoral care, spiritual formation, training children, initiation, and nurture
• The church’s outreach through worship practices including hospitality, evangelism, and social justice

For more information, please contact:
Heather Daugherty
Director of the Center for Worship Arts
hdaugherty@trevecca.edu
615-248-1585

Complete the online program application.

Each student preparing for ministry through the Center for Worship Arts at Trevecca Nazarene University will have the opportunity to take part in at least two semesters of internship in a local church or other related site. Through the internship experience, students in the Center for Worship Arts will integrate what they are learning in the classroom with real life experience in ministry.

In the first semester of internship, the student is given the opportunity to observe and experience the role and responsibilities of a worship arts pastor in a local church. In the second semester of internship, students will be more deeply involved with carrying out the worship arts ministries in the local church, and will participate in the worship leadership of their internship site. As a part of the internship assignment, students will create a Senior Project that will be carried out within the context of worship in their ministry assignment. The Senior Project will be tailored to fit a student’s area of interest and preparation.

This experience will allow students time and space to reflect theologically upon their understanding of ministry within their internship setting. Students will also sharpen their practical ministry skills, and grow personally in their understanding of what it means to be a minister of the gospel through the worship arts. During each semester of internship, students will be involved with on-campus guided small groups that are designed for reflection, mentoring and spiritual formation.

For students currently involved in an internship, or planning to be a part of an internship program, important documents can be found below:

Resources on the Web

What We’re Reading

The Art of Worship: A Musician’s Guide to Leading Worship by Greg Scheer

This book is very hands on and practical for someone who is in music ministry, thinking about being in music ministry and there are parts that could also be helpful for pastors who are trying to find their way through worship in their local church. However, there are parts that are highly technical (musically) and thus the book is best suited for a musician who is working in the church.

Designing Worship Together by Norma Dewaal Malefyt and Howard Vanderwell

This is a great resource book for anyone who plans worship. It gives practical insights into collaboration, worship service planning, creating a worship statement and evaluation tools. This book was written by a team that had worked together for over 25 years, and their wisdom, experience and insight would be invaluable to someone who is just beginning in worship ministry, or for someone who feels that they need a little help and direction with what they are already doing. The authors give examples of resources that they have used (planning templates, letters to the congregation, evaluation forms, etc.) at the end of almost every chapter. The book also provides a good (although small) bibliography in the appendix.

Worship Come to Its Senses by Don E. Saliers

This book asks the question what makes worship true and relevant to ever-changing human circumstances? How do our acts of worship shape and express authentic Christian faith in the world of everyday life? Looking at four different senses that the church needs to be mindful of: Awe, Delight, Truth, and Hope, Saliers helps pastors and worship leaders see the need for multi-faceted worship that reflects a God what we can’t always understand and the vast spectrum of human experience. This book is excellent. It is very thoughtful, theologically sound and will be helpful to anyone involved with shaping and planning worship.

The Church of All Ages edited by Howard Vanderwell

This book is an excellent resource for churches who are looking to go beyond “catering” to each age group and learning how to worship together as an intergenerational community.The book gives practical insight on numerous aspects of worship and really challenges congregations to think deeply about how to involve all generations in worship planning and in worship services.This is not done merely for church growth kind of reasons, but instead because the authors truly believe in the intergenerational nature of the church and seek to help congregations recognize and celebrate that nature.