Worship Leadership

This exegetical study is prefaced by an introduction to Old Testament poetic writing. Following this preface, attention is given to major Psalm types and the messages they contain. Reflective thought and worship within the community of God’s people are also considered.

Book of Revelation
The movement and message of Revelation is studied against the larger background of apocalyptic literature. The victory of God and the renewal of creation brings closure to the biblical story and to the canon of the New Testament.

Letter to the Hebrews
A close look at this unique book is offered with consideration given to its theological and rhetorical method, its use of Israel’s Scriptures, and its contribution to the church’s theology.

This course explores biblical and theological foundations of Christian worship. It seeks to develop a theology of worship based on the concepts and practices of worship modeled in Scripture and applies that theology in contemporary worshipping contexts.

This course surveys the development of Christian worship from the close of the New Testament era to the present day. Attention is given to the worship practices of the Stone-Campbell Movement. The course aids the student to develop her or his own practical approach to worship.

This course introduces first-semester students to the Worship Leadership program by overviewing key areas of the curriculum, including the value of music studies, the importance of biblical, theological, and historical inquiry, the necessity of improving one’s practical ministry, musical and production skills, and developing a philosophy in Christian-gathered worship. The course aims to orient the student to the program’s expectations and design to prepare them for success in their study of Worship Leadership. Students participate in a weekend retreat/seminar as part of this course.

This course introduces basic worship leadership skills as well as core biblical, theological, historical, philosophical, and pastoral considerations for worship leadership and ministry. Attention is given to 1) the role, function, and responsibilities of the worship minister, 2) cultivating pastoral relations with worship teams, staff, pastor, and church, 3) biblically, theologically, and historically informed patterns of worship, 4) worship design and planning, 5) conducting special services, 6) the Christian year, 7) executing the actions of worship, and 8) practical skills for leading worship services. During the course each student will lead part of a worship service in a campus setting or local ministry setting where they will demonstrate the application of course principles to the planning, designing, organizing, and leading of that service.

This course covers the practical aspects of and methods for conducting rehearsals of instrumental teams, vocal teams, and worship choirs in preparation for worship services. Students gain experience rehearsing and leading instrumental teams, vocal teams, and worship choirs throughout the course. This course provides students with a biblical and theological framework for understanding the responsibilities, function, and service roles worship ensembles assume in Sunday worship. Worship service planning with ensemble participation and the pastoral role the worship minister assumes in developing and leading worship ensembles will also be covered.

This course provides students with the basic skills needed to operate live audio and visual technology in today’s church, including knowledge of the standard equipment, styles, and techniques. This course also reflects upon the appropriate use of audio and visual technology in worship and the pastoral sensibilities necessary for its effective use. The student will not only demonstrate the ability to operate the equipment but the ability to do so in ways that enhance the content and expression of Sunday worship.

This 10-week internship is designed to provide practical experience for Worship Leadership majors to observe, analyze, participate in, and lead the music and worship ministry of a local church under the guidance of a minister of music and/or minister of worship. This internship must be supervised by a full-time minister of music and/or worship minister employed by the church, or by a part-time minister of music and/or worship minister employed by and actively involved in the church, who has earned an undergraduate degree in music and/or worship studies. All internships must receive approval from the instructor/supervisor, and in some instances may require approval from the entire Communication & Creative Arts faculty.

This course will aid the student in developing a philosophy of the use of arts in worship. This course explores how the content, form, and styles of worship are enlivened through the expression of the arts. With attention given particularly to visual and performing arts, the course covers the history of the use of the arts in worship and the application of arts in ministry today.

In this course each student organizes, develops, and then implements a final project under the supervision of the course instructor or an instructor-approved supervisor. Normally through the integrative project each student will display proficiency in planning, organizing, and leading worship informed by or demonstrated by 1) a biblical, theological, and historical understanding of worship, 2) a sensitivity to cultural context, 3) artistic expression, 4) the proper role and use of technology in worship, and 5) competent proficiency in applied music skills and knowledge. All projects must receive approval from the course instructor, and in some instances may require approval from the entire Communication & Creative Arts faculty.

Students in this practicum will gain practical experience in live audio, video, and stage production through involvement in chapel services, on-campus worship events, and/or local church settings. This hands-on experience serves to develop both the student’s operating skills and pastoral sensibilities.

Students will choose one 3-credit course, or three 1-credit courses, that enhance professional studies. In consultation with their advisor, students will chose from courses with the following prefixes: CMPR, COMM, MART, MUAP, MUSC, WORS.

Choose three of the following:

Foundations of Biblical Preaching
This course equips students with the basic skills necessary to prepare and present biblical sermons. It gives special attention to studying a biblical text for preaching purposes; developing thesis statements, outlines, and support materials; and communicating effectively with contemporary listeners.

Spiritual Formation for Ministry OR Spiritual Formation & Creativity

Spiritual Formation for Ministry
This course provides students with biblical, historical, and practical perspectives on how God works in believers through his Holy Spirit to conform them to the image of Christ and empower them for ministry. It gives special attention to using personal and interpersonal discipleship strategies to help individuals grow spiritually.

Spiritual Formation & Creativity
Students are equipped with a biblical perspective on creativity, communication, and arts, and engage in the process of creativity from a Great Commission perspective. Students learn how to integrate and articulate the biblical foundations underlying creative endeavors, demonstrate the process of creativity, and develop the means to sustain creativity.

Conflict and Communication
This course explores both the destructive and transformative dynamics of conflict in faith communities and equips students with the self-understanding and skills needed for effective communication for conflict management. The course emphasizes individual and group settings, but also introduces the larger dimensions of corporate conflict. This is an interactive, skills-based course.

Pastoral Care in Ministry
This course equips students with the skills necessary to carry out common pastoral tasks in ministry leadership. It gives special attention to using basic counseling skills in ministry settings.

This course briefly considers the fundamental elements of music theory, including notation, scales, intervals, key signatures, meter and rhythm, and triads and their respective inversions. The majority of the course focuses on harmonic analysis, figured bass, cadences, non-harmonic tones, melodic organization, and texture/textural reduction.

This course is devoted to the development of aural skills through instruction in solfege-based sight-singing, rhythmic dictation, simple melodic dictation, ear training, and functional keyboard/piano elements that include root position triads and selected major scales.

This course is designed as a continuation of the work begun in Music Theory I. Course contents include two- and four-part writing, harmonic progression, harmonic rhythm, dominant seventh chords, leading tone seventh chords, non-dominant seventh chords, and modulation.

This course is a continuation of the work begun in Music Theory Lab I. Course contents include sight-singing, rhythmic and melodic dictation, simple harmonic dictation, ear training and functional keyboard/piano elements that include inverted triads, root position seventh chords, all major scales, and selected minor scales.

This course is designed as a continuation of the work begun in Music Theory II. The course covers secondary chord structures; binary and ternary forms; 18th-century counterpoint; extended and chromatic harmonic materials; an introduction to Classical period forms; and the continued development of part-writing, compositional, and analytical skills as they pertain to all musical materials and forms covered in this course.

This course is a continuation of the work begun in Music Theory Lab II. Course contents include sight-singing of diatonic and basic chromatic music materials, part singing, the use of Kodaly solfege hand signals, melodic and harmonic dictation of diatonic musical materials, rhythmic dictation, and functional piano/ keyboard skills that include all one-octave major and minor scales, playing two-voice and simple three-voice parts, realizing basic chord lead sheets, seventh chords, and chord voicings.

This course investigates the development of music in western civilization. Emphasis is given to the significant role of church music in this history. The hallmarks of musical literature representing major periods of music history are studied in detail. Also, personalities, processes, and contemporary events are discussed, along with specific musical compositions. Music of antiquity through the early baroque periods is examined. Special consideration is given to the development of polyphony, along with the evolution of certain genres, such as the Mass and the motet.

This course is a continuation of the study begun in Music History and Literature I. In the study of Music History and Literature II, the development of the music of western civilization will be investigated with the emphasis being given to the significant role of church music in that history. The hallmarks of musical literature representing the major periods of history will be studied in detail. Also, composers and performers, processes, and contemporary events will be discussed. During this second term of study, music of the classical period through the 20th century will be covered. Special consideration will be given to the development of particular genres (categorizations or classifications of music), such as the symphony, the sonata, etc.

Campus Choir (1 credit)
Campus Choir provides the experience of singing in a fine church choir to any Johnson University student, staff, faculty, or community member. No audition or previous musical experience is required. Through participation in Campus Choir, members learn basic vocal technique and music reading skills, and experience the joy of praising God through choral music. This choir serves as a “lab choir” for Advanced Conducting students in the spring term and performs occasionally for chapel and/or other campus events.

University Choir (1 credit)
University Choir is a select ensemble open to any student, faculty, staff, or community member. The choir prepares two concerts annually and sings in campus programs such as the Festival of Christmas Joy, Lessons & Carols, Homecoming, and Commencement. The choir occasionally represents Johnson University at select events, conferences, and local churches. University Choir sings a wide variety of collegiate and sacred music that reflects the diverse musical nature of the ensemble.

Vox Royale (1 credit)
This select, primarily a cappella ensemble is open to any student or community member by audition. The ensemble performs a wide repertoire of music that includes chamber music, church music, modern worship, vocal jazz, and modern a cappella. The ensemble represents Johnson University at select events, retreats, conferences, and worship services on and off campus. Vox Royale members rehearse with the University Choir one day a week and rehearse as a separate ensemble one day a week.

Tennessee students complete the first 2 ensemble credits with University Choir and may complete up the next 4 credits with University Choir or Vox Royale (by audition).

Choose 6 credits in one instrument (voice, guitar, or piano) with a possible Senior Recital.

Choose 2 credits in a second instrument (voice, piano, guitar).