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.
WRSP 430 Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
WRSP 430
PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP FOR THE WORSHIP LEADER
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a study of the characteristics and responsibilities of a good leader as they relate to the
worship leader. Planning, organizing, staff development, and decision-making are topics of
consideration.
RATIONALE
This course is the third in a series of five on worship offered by the Liberty University Center for
Worship and Music Ministries. It examines the characteristics and responsibilities of a good
leader in order to equip the student to be effective not only in the professional realm of worship
services but in all aspects of life and ministry.
I.
II.
PREREQUISITES
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES
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 Liberty University students.)
C.
TV and DVD player
D.
Access to small groups and teams within the ministry setting
COURSE OBJECTIVES
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
A.
Cognitive Skills
1.
Assess and analyze his or her personal leadership style and effectiveness
in planning, organizing, and administrating.
2.
Formulate an approach to team building which acknowledges the creative
and synergistic benefits of teamwork.
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WRSP 430 Syllabus
B.
V.
Affective and Performance Skills
1.
Embrace the concept of servant leadership as a result of having a vital
relationship with God and a commitment to see His purposes fulfilled with
respect to the gifts/talents He has placed within the individual.
2.
Institute a personal performance plan integrating the servant leadership
principles learned and affirmed in the course.
3.
Make a commitment to the practice of the mentoring principle of 2 Timothy
2:2 with respect to servant leadership.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lesson presentations/notes
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will 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 of The Leadership Challenge
After reading the book, the student will write a paper (of no minimum
page length) stating its message, its strengths and weaknesses, and
whether or not he or she recommends the book.
2.
Book Review of Leadership Jazz
After reading the book, the student will write a paper (of no minimum
page length) stating its message, its strengths and weaknesses, and
whether or not he or she recommends the book.
3.
Activities Time Log
For one full week, the student will keep a log indicating his or her daily
activities and the amount of time spent on each. Then, the student will
write a brief analysis of the log, reflecting on how and where the time was
spent and what changes may be needed.
4.
Case Studies of Leadership Challenges (3)
The student will compose three case studies. These can be actual or
hypothetical leadership challenges. Each case study should be written as a
one-paragraph scenario that states the challenge and asks for resolution
without giving any solutional recommendations.
D.
Worship Service Observation
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WRSP 430 Syllabus
The student must attend a worship service outside of his or her home church and
denomination. Using a form provided in the course, the student will record
observations about the service and answer questions provided.
E.
Post-Video Assignments (to be completed after studying this course’s video
lessons)
1.
Small Group Project
The student will need to be part of a small group that meets at least four
different times throughout the duration of this course. Sometime after
studying Lesson 5 of this course, the student will facilitate the group’s
completion of two projects—one major and one minor—each to be
submitted by the student in manuscript form (no minimum page length).
The major project is the group’s response to a prompt about a leadership
perspective. The minor project is the group’s discussion of at least three
case studies.
2.
Reaction Journal (2 entries)
After reading Leaders on Leadership plus a second resource selected from
a list provided in the course, the student will write a journal entry on each
book, discussing one point from the book and its influence on the
student’s personal learning and development in the area of leadership.
3.
Team Project
The student will implement the lessons learned in this course by leading a
team event or project. The design must include declared goals with a way
to assess those goals midway through and after development. One-on-one
mentoring must also be involved.
4.
Boundary Issues Discussion
After reading Boundaries, the student will discuss relational boundary
issues with one pastoral staff member at his or her church and again with
another selected individual. Each discussion is meant to improve that
relationship and should end with both parties explaining their needs and
boundaries to a third party (consisting of two people). Then, the student
will submit to the course instructor the questions he or she asked in the
discussion, the responses received, a summary of the session, and whether
any goals were set for the future of the relationship.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Pre-Video Assignments (4)
Book Review: The Leadership Challenge
Book Review: Leadership Jazz
10
100
100
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WRSP 430 Syllabus
Activities Time Log
Case Studies of Leadership Challenges
Worship Service Observation
Post-Video Assignments (4)
Small Group Project
Reaction Journal
Team Project
Boundary Issues Discussion
125
100
100
Total
B.
125
100
150
100
1010
Scale
A = 940–1010 B = 860–939 C = 750–859 D = 680–749 F = 0–679
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
class will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University 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.
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COUR ### Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
WRSP 430
MODULE/
WEEK
1–4
READING & STUDY
Read The Leadership
Challenge
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist
10
Book Review: The Leadership
Challenge
100
Book Review: Leadership Jazz
100
Activities Time Log
125
Case Studies of Leadership Challenges
100
Worship Service Observation
100
Small Group Project
125
Reaction Journal
100
Team Project
150
Boundary Issues Discussion
100
TOTAL
1010
Read Leadership Jazz
5–8
View all 16 Lessons
from the WRSP 430
DVD set
Read Leaders on
Leadership
9–16
Read additional book
(see Reaction Journal
instructions)
Read Boundaries
NOTE: 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.