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This list is a select review of items of interest found on seminary worship websites, organized according to common themes: Customaries, Denominational Diversity, Stylistic Variety, Curricular Integration, and Other issues.
Surveys are wonderful – though limited – tools for gathering data on worship priorities and practices. The survey used by the CICW/Brehm study group asked broad questions in four categories: Leadership, Liturgy, Community, and Curriculum. Many other research goals and strategies might suggest other questions and/or analytical data-gathering mechanisms.
Nearly every seminary in North America worships together during the week. These services are central to a seminary’s communal life and work, for worship is deeply formative – spiritually, educationally, and institutionally. Yet there is significant variety in the ways in which seminary communities plan for, lead, and learn about worship.
In the spring of 2007, a questionnaire was sent to all ATS-accredited Protestant seminaries in the USA. The purpose of the study was to begin to map the range of practices and policies at the nation’s seminaries surrounding community worship. Thus, the questionnaire asked simple questions and invited reflection and feedback. The questions were divided into four primary categories: Leadership, Liturgy, Community, and Curriculum.
Paul Ryan discusses the impact of a name and how this changes the understanding behind how we see worship.
Vital questions to ask about worship before calling a minister.
A description of Chris O'Reilly and Peter Bush's experience training lay leaders to pray and preach.
The longer I live, the more I become convinced three things are true: 1. God does exist 2. I am not God. 3. The first two points are worth remembering—always.” Wise words from an aged Roman Catholic priest. How easy to slip into the sin of what St. Paul terms “thinking too highly of ourselves.”
As more and more churches hire worship coordinators and directors of music, they are also writing job descriptions. A good job description can serve as a road map for the person entering the position and for others who engage in the process of worship planning and leadership.
The Worship Director should be fully devoted to God and to the church of Jesus Christ and be committed to expressing that devotion through heart-felt worship consistent with the Evangelical and Reformed tradition.
General Position Expectation for Director of Music: administers and produces all aspects of music. This would include recruitment, training, and leading a varied ministry of music for the congregation in harmony with the church's mission statement.
The Purpose of a director of music and worship arts is to equip and shepherd our musicians and worship arts leaders, and with the pastors, to guide and support the worship planning process. The ultimate goal is to support the vision of our church through the worship experience at each individual service.
