PM 512 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN WORSHIP ASHLAND ...

PM 512 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
ASHLAND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY – DETROIT CAMPUS
Spring, 2013
J. Robert Douglass, Ph.D.
rdougla1@ashland.edu
(419) 289-5719 (office)
I. Course Description
This course is designed to help church leaders plan services that engage the
congregation in active and meaningful worship. Biblical/historical patterns of
worship will serve as a basis for the development of a theology of worship.
Contemporary models will also be studied.
II. Relationship to Curriculum Model
Worship as an expression of intimacy is the heart of the Christian life. It is also
intimately related to the 4 C’s of the Ashland Theological Seminary curriculum.
In worship, we are simultaneously remembering, celebrating, and forming our
identity in Christ. As a response to God’s grace and love, we understand the
importance living all of life for God’s glory, which is the essence of Christian
character. As ministers in worship, we celebrate God’s vocational call, while
always remembering the more fundamental call to intimacy with God. In our
desire to give God our best in worship, we must be committed to improving the
various competencies that aid in becoming good worshipers and worship
leaders.
III. Student Learning Outcomes
As a result of this class, the student will be able to do the following:
Core Identity rooted in Christ, as the source from which life and ministry
flow.
1. Explain ways in which her/his life of worship influences and is affected
by his/her core identity.
Character that reflects maturity in Christ.
2. Articulate the relationship between liturgical and ethical actions.
3. (no outcome)
Competency in the disciplines and skills relevant to Christian ministry.
A. Articulate, integrate, and apply Scripture, theology, church history, and
religious heritage to life and ministry.

4. Discuss the various means by which Christians have expressed
worship throughout history.
5. Articulate the beginnings of a theology of worship that includes a
consideration of the ways in which worship contributes to the
formation of authentic community.
6. Analyze the strengths and limitations of his/her own liturgical tradition.
B. Apply cultural exegesis to one’s life and ministry.
7. Express an awareness of and appreciation for worship beyond her/his
particular tradition and culture.
C. Practice a broad range of appropriate ministry skills.
8. Demonstrate an emerging ability to design and lead a purposeful
worship service.
IV. Teaching Strategies for Student Learning
This class will include a combination of lectures, class discussions, small group
discussions, and group projects.
V. Course Requirements
A. Textbooks
Constance Cherry, The Woship Archtect. Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN:
080103874X
Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid, Diverse Worship: African-American, Caribbean, &
Hispanic Perspectives, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000. ISBN:
0830815791.
Rory Noland, The Heart of the Artist: A Character Building Guide for You and
Your Ministry Team, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1999.
ISBN: 0310224713
Robert E. Webber, Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God's
Narrative. Baker, 2008. ISBN: 0801066247
B. Attendance
According to the student handbook, attendance at all class sessions is expected
unless the professor has been notified in advance. A student missing the
equivalent of 1.5 hours of lecture will have additional work to complete. Any
student missing the equivalent of six class hours (any combination of lecture and

group time) will be required to receive a lower grade or withdraw from the class;
this is at the discretion of the professor. This includes tardiness to class.
C. Assignments/Assessment of Student Learning
1. Worship Attendance and Evaluation (15% of grade)
A. Attendance at a Christian worship service different from your own
(cross-culturally)
B. Evaluation of Two Different Worship Services.
- one should be the student’s “home” church
- one should be the service described in #1 above.
C. Write a 3-4 page reflection paper where you 1) briefly describe the
settings and services (1 paragraph per service), 2) compare the
services (how were they similar), 3) contrast the services (how were
they different), and 4) briefly explain which you liked better and why.
This can be submitted any time during the quarter but will not be received after
June 5, 2013.
2. Group Work (30% of final grade)
A. Design and lead 2 worship services. (20%)
These services will be designed and led by in-class groups.
Each group will plan and lead two 10-20 minute worship segments. This is
an opportunity for students to explore unfamiliar styles and elements of
worship. Your grade for this will be part of your group grade. Additional
information will be provided during the first class.
B. Actively participate in all other group work. (10%)
3. Terms and Concepts Exam (20% of grade)
There will be an objective exam covering the entire course through November.
The tested material will come from class lectures and readings. It is will be taken
online and will be completed by June 5, 2013.
4. Words of Transition (5% of grade)
One of the easiest ways to enhance the flow of worship is through
appropriate words of transition. Students will take a familiar order of
worship and compose 5 statements that will assist in the flow of the
service. More details will be given the first day of class. Due April 10, 2013.

5. Final Paper (30%) Due June 5, 2013.
Final Paper Guidelines and Potential Topics: 10 pages
The cumulative input from class interaction and outside reading is to be distilled into a minimum
10, but no more than 15-page final paper (not counting front/back matter such as title page,
bibliography, appendices, etc.), with a minimum of ten significant bibliographical sources. The
student is permitted to follow one of the two courses listed below, based on interest. (See
grading rubric for final paper in a separate document). Time will be given to discussing and
refining your decision in class so that it is neither too broad nor too narrow for a research paper
of this length.
Option 1:
An in-depth look at the student’s own local worshiping community. This study should
draw from the materials introduced in class and observable data from the practices of
the local church. The paper will consist of four parts:
1) A description of the local congregation, including its perceived theology of worship
(what does its behavior tell us about its beliefs). (2 pages).
2) A summary of the place this congregation takes in the overall history of worship
praxis (free worship/liturgical, importance of sacraments, etc.). In other words,
trace the lineage of this congregation’s worship and place it in an historical context.
(3-5 pages).
3) An analysis, based on the student’s study and observation, of his/her worshiping
congregation’s strengths and weaknesses. While the focus should be on the main
weekly worship gathering, the entire life of the church in worship may also be
discussed. (3-5 pages).
4) A concluding section of steps the church’s worship leadership can take to
strengthen areas that are already healthy and to make corrections in areas that are
not. Attention should be given to broader, more “macro” issues that need to be
resolved over an extended time and not peripheral or technical items that can be
easily addressed. (2-3 pages).
Option 2:
A research paper into a specific worship topic. This is a means for the student to
explore a particular area of academic interest and become more familiar with the leading
voices and issues involved. Although this is not the same kind of local church-focused
review as option A above, it should eventually result in describing how it relates to the
student’s own particular worship community. Some suggestions for topics include:
Use of the Christian calendar in worship planning; the place of sacraments in
worship; historic controversies regarding the sacraments; how we are “formed” in
worship; the role of music and/or the arts in worship; the benefits and problems of
technology in worship; postmodern worship; Trinitarian worship; how our worship
reflects our Christology, Missiology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, etc.
(select 2-3); Wesley and worship; worship as adoration and action; present a topic to
the instructor for consideration.
The paper should consist of three parts:

1) An introduction to the topic with an indication as to why this is of unique interest to
you. If it is to address a particular issue in your local worshiping body, give
reasons. (1-2 pages)
2) An exploration into the subject itself, identifying key issues in history, significant
writers/thinkers who have addressed the topic, and other relevant findings. (7-10
pages).
3) A critical evaluation of what you have discovered with specific applications you can
make to your local congregation. (2-3 pages).
D. Calculation of Grade
Assignments Learning Outcomes Percent of Final Grade
Worship Attendance and
Evaluation
6, 7 15%
Terms and Concepts Exam 4, 5, 8 20%
Group Work 5 30%
Words of Transition 8 5%
Final Paper 1, 2 30%
VI. Course Schedule
Week # Date(s) Anticipated Lecture/Topic Readings/Assignments
1 April 3 Introduction to Course,
Planning Meaningful Worship
Cherry, Intro.
and Phase 1
Noland, Intro and ch. 1
Maynard-Reid, Intro
2 April 10 Planning Meaningful Worship
(cont.)
Cherry, Phase 2 and 3
Noland, ch. 2
Words of Transition
Due
3 April 17 Worship Leading and Leaders Cherry, Phase 4 and 5,

Appendix A and B
Noland, ch. 3.
4 April 24 Biblical and Historical Foundations
of Worship
Noland, ch. 4
Maynard-Reid, Part 1
5 May 1 Day of Prayer Noland, ch. 5
Maynard-Reid, Parts 2
and 3
6 May 8 Biblical and Historical Foundations
of Worship Lecture
Noland, ch. 6
Maynard-Reid, Part 4
7 May 15 Worship and Theology Noland, ch. 7
Webber, Part 1
8 May 22 Day of Worship Noland, ch. 8
Webber, Part 2
9 May 29 How Worship Affects Us Noland, ch. 9
Terms and Concept
Exam Due
10 June 5 Technology and Worship Noland, ch. 10
All work submitted
Additional Information on the Class
It is my hope that this class will educate you, sharpen your skills, and contribute
to your spiritual formation. To this end, it is strongly recommended serious
consideration be given about devices like laptops. While they are not
forbidden, they may not actually help in class. An outline of each lecture will be
provided in advance for those who want to make use of it. I am convinced that
laptops inhibit full participation in class. I have personally found that very few
students with laptops are able to resist the temptation of emailing, surfing the
web, or playing games in class. This is both disrespectful and a distraction to the
instructor and those seated near the computer. I am further convinced that the
need to be perpetually multi-tasking is not one of the best practices to be
developing for vocational ministry.

VIII. Seminary Guidelines
A. ATS Academic Integrity Policy
Ashland Theological Seminary seeks to model servant leadership derived from
biblical standards of honesty and integrity. We desire to encourage, develop, and
sustain men and women of character who will exemplify these biblical qualities in
their ministry to the church and the world. As members of the seminary
community, students are expected to hold themselves to the highest standards of
academic, personal, and social integrity.
All students, therefore, are expected to abide by the academic integrity standards
outlined in the Student Handbook.
B. Writing Assistance
If you need assistance with writing projects for your coursework, contact the ATS
Writing Center. The center provides free sessions with a peer consultant who can
help you with all of your concerns about academic writing. Contact the Center if
you have a question about how to complete your assignment, if you have
documentation questions, or if you would like to have your paper evaluated for
areas needing improvement. The ATS Writing Center can be reached at 419-
289-5162 or by e-mail at atswc@ashland.edu.
C. Students with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities who require academic adjustments for this
class are requested to contact me to discuss reasonable accommodations.
While not required, it is in the best interest of the student to have this
conversation early in the quarter. In order to receive academic adjustments,
paperwork from Disability Services must be provided to document this need.
Disability Services is located in 105 Amstutz, extension 5953.
Please contact them with any questions you may have.
D. ATS Grading Scale
Grade Percentage Description
A 97-100 Superior achievement of course objectives, diligence and originality,
high degree of freedom from error, outstanding evidence of ability to
utilize course knowledge, initiative expressed in preparing and
completing assignments, positive contributions verbalized in class.
A- 92-96
B+ 89-91
B 86-88 Good work submitted, commendable achievement of course
objectives, some aspects of the course met with excellence,
substantial evidence of ability to utilize course material, positive
contributions verbalized in class, consistency and
thoroughness of work completed.
B- 83-85
C+ 80-82

C 77-79 Acceptable work completed, satisfactory achievement of course
objectives, demonstrating at least some ability to utilize course
knowledge, satisfactory class contribution.
C- 74-76
D+ 71-73
D 68-70 Passing but minimal work, marginal achievement of course
objectives, poor performance in comprehension of work submitted,
inadequate class contributions.
D- 65-67
F Below 65 Below 65 Unacceptable work resulting in failure to receive class
credit, inadequacy of work submitted or of performance and
attendance in class.
IX. Selected Bibliography
Allen, Ronald B. The Wonder of Worship. Nashville: Word Publishing, 2001.
Barker, Ken. Songs for Praise and Worship: Worship Planner Edition. Waco: Word,
1992
Bartow, Charles L. Effective Speech Communication in Leading Worship. Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 1988.
Begbie, Jeremy S. Beholding the Glory: Incarnation through the Arts. Grand Rapids:
Baker Book House, 2000.
Costen, Melva Wilson. African-American Christian Worship. Nashville: Abingdon Press,
1993.
Dawn, Marva J. Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the
Turn-of the-Century Culture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company,
1995.
_______. A Royal "Waste" of Time: The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church
for the World. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999.
Hustad, Donald P. Jubilate II: Church Music in Worship and Renewal. Hope Publishing
Co., 1993.
_______. True Worship: Reclaiming the Wonder and Majesty. Wheaton, IL: Shaw
Books, 1998.
Johnson Todd E., ed. The Conviction of Things Not Seen: Worship and Ministry in the
21st Century. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2002.
Labberton, Mark. The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice. Downers
Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2007.

Mapson, J. Wendell, Jr. The Ministry of Music in the Black Church. Judson Press, 1984.
Morgenthaler, Sally. Worship Evangelism: Inviting Unbelievers into the Presence of
God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.
Ortlund, Anne. Up with Worship: How to Quit Playing Church. Regal Books, 1982.
Osbeck, Kenneth W. 101 Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1982.
_______. 101 More Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1985.
_______. Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand
Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1990.
_______. 52 Hymn Stories Dramatized. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1992.
Siewert, Alison, ed. Worship Team Handbook. Downers Grove: Intervarsity
Press, 1998.
Spencer, Donald B. Hymn and Scripture Selection Guide: A Cross-Reference Tool for
Worship Leaders. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993.
Torrance, James B. Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace. Downers
Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1997.
Tozer, A. W. Whatever Happened to Worship Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications,
1985.
Underhill, Evelyn. Worship. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1989.
Webber, Robert E. Worship Is a Verb. Eight Principles for Transforming Worship.
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.
_______. Blended Worship: Achieving Substance and Relevance in Worship. Peabody,
MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.
_______. Planning Blended Worship: The Creative Mixture of Old and New. Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 1998.
White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship. Third edition. Nashville: Abingdon
Press, 2000.

Worship Service Evaluation Form
(To be completed after the service)
Name __________________________________ Date and Time _________________
Name of Church ________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________
Church affiliation _______________________________________________________
Name of person preaching ________________________________________________
Is this the pastor/priest ___________ Is this where you worship ________________
To the best of your ability to understand, was this an average or special service _____
If special, what kind of service (missions rally, ordination, etc.)___________________
Using the familiar stereotypes, was this a traditional, blended, or contemporary service
If you were new, were you greeted _________________________________________
How (From the pulpit, discretely by someone, etc.) ____________________________
By whom (formal greeter or usher, pastor, or other) ____________________________
Would you say this church is a “warm” church to newcomers ____________________
Why or why not ________________________________________________________
How and where in the service were announcements handled ____________________
Was the handling of announcements effective Explain. _________________________

How did you know the words and notes to sing (familiar songs, on overhead, in
hymnal, on projection screen, etc.)
Was this media used effectively _____________ Why or why not
Describe (do not list) the songs.____________________________________________
If unknown to you, were they singable ______________________________________
Were they biblically/theologically true _______________________________________
How did they hold together musically and thematically _________________________
On a scale from 1-5, with 5 being professional quality, rate the musician(s). 1 2 3 4 5
If there were significant issues with the musicians, did you feel it was a result of lack of
practice or skill Explain.
Were there any issues with the sound system ________________________________
Describe. _____________________________________________________________
Did you sense being led into or being in God’s presence why or why not

Did the sermon connect with the rest of the service How
What happened after the service (especially if you were new)
Did you experience God in an unexpected way in the service
If you were in charge, what things would you congratulate your team for doing well, and
what things need to be improved
Any additional comments on the design or “performance” of this service.