Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
COURSE SYLLABUS
WRSP 440
CURRENT ISSUES IN WORSHIP
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study of the current trends and issues related to contemporary worship. Consideration is given
to various worship models, worship evangelism, cross-cultural issues, and church worship in
transition.
RATIONALE
This course is the fourth in a series of five on worship offered by the Liberty University Center
for Worship and Music Ministries. It examines the issues of conflict within a congregation as
well as differences in worship between church traditions so that the worship leader can be
effective in church ministry.
I.
II.
PREREQUISITES
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE(S)
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer and Internet access (broadband recommended)
B.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to LU students.)
C.
DVD player
D.
The Holy Bible
COURSE OBJECTIVES
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
A.
Cognitive Skills
1.
To comprehend the different historical and contemporary models of
worship, as well as how each relates to the larger model of the church
itself.
2.
To evaluate the effectiveness of organization, and the impact on
participants, of a worship service.
WRSP 440 Syllabus
1.
B.
V.
To evaluate the relation between maintenance of tradition and break with
tradition in a given church setting.
Affective and Performance Skills
1.
To value traditions of Protestant worship other than those of the student’s
home church.
2.
To value traditions of Protestant worship in a cross-cultural setting.
3.
To value the need for a team approach to problem-solving.
2.
To value the participation of the senior pastor or the teaching and
administrative pastoral staff in the planning and execution of worship
services, and more broadly, in the overall philosophy of worship that the
church adopts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
As the first activity in this course, please read the syllabus and Student
Expectations. After reading the syllabus and Student Expectations, the student
will then complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Pre-Video Assignments (to be completed before studying this course’s video
lessons)
1.
Book Review
After reading the Dawn book, the student will write a short paper
addressing questions provided in the course. This review is due by the end
of Week 4.
2.
Case Studies
The student will compose 3 case studies (1-paragraph each) about
problems or opportunities an actual church has had to address. These case
studies are due by the end of Week 4.
D.
Worship Service Observations
The student must attend two worship services outside of his or her home church
and denomination. The student will record observations about the services and
answer questions provided. This is due by the end of Week 8.
E.
Post-Video Projects (to be completed after studying this course’s video lessons)
1.
Book Review Project
Page 2 of 4
WRSP 440 Syllabus
The student will read the Frame book and write a review consisting of two
parts: 1) a summary and 2) a 3-page critique that incorporates concepts
learned from course resources. This paper is due by the end of the course.
2.
Interview
The student will interview his or her pastor (or worship leader) and will
discuss with the pastor the concepts of this course. Interview notes must
be submitted by the end of the course.
F.
Small Group Project
The student must form a small group that meets during this course for the 3
assignments described below. The student will write a summary of each meeting
and submit it along with the required written assignments which are due by the
last day of the course.
1.
Worship Plan
The group will compose a short worship session for a children’s class
based on the provided scenario.
2.
Problem-Solving
The group will discuss and decide upon the provided case study.
3.
Planning
The group will develop an activity to be utilized by small groups in a
worship seminar.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Pre-Video Assignments
Book Review
Case Studies
Worship Service Observations
Post-Video Projects
Book Review Project
Interview
Small Group Project
Worship Plan
Problem-Solving
Planning
10
150
50
200
200
100
Total
100
100
100
1010
B.
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Disability Assistance
Page 3 of 4
WRSP 440 Syllabus
Students with a documented disability may contact LU Online’s Office of
Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to make
arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at
www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
VII.
COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY
Calvin, John. Psalms 1–35. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1981.
Driver, John. Images of the Church in Mission. Scottsdale, PA: Herald, 1997.
Fee, Gordon D. Paul, the Spirit and the People of God. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson
Publishers Inc., 1996.
Hayford, Jack. Worship His Majesty. Dallas: Word, 1987.
Minear, Paul S. Images of the Church in the New Testament. Philadelphia:
Westminster, 1960.
Sweet, Leonard I. FaithQuakes. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.
Webber, Robert. Ancient-Future Worship. Wheaton, IL: Wheaton Institute for Worship
Studies, 1999.
________. Signs of Wonder. Nashville: Abbott Martyn, 1992.
Wenz, Robert. Room for God: A Worship Challenge for a Church Growth and Market
Era. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1994.
Page 4 of 4
COURSE SCHEDULE
WRSP 440
Resources:
Dawn, Reaching Out without Dumbing Down (1995).
Frame, Contemporary Worship Music: A Biblical Defense (1997).
Towns, Putting an End to Worship Wars (online).
WRSP 440 DVD set.
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1–4
Dawn: read in its entirety
Course Requirements Checklist
Book Review
Case Studies
10
150
50
5–8
View all lessons from the
WRSP 440 DVD set
Worship Service Observations
200
Towns: read in its entirety
Frame: read in its entirety
Book Review Project
Interview
Small Group Project: Worship Plan
Small Group Project: Problem-Solving
Small Group Project: Planning
200
100
100
100
100
TOTAL
1010
9–16
NOTE:
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Each course week (except week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on
Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
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