KNP2101HS Worship Practicum Knox College, Winter 2016 KNP2101HS

Transcription

1 DRAFT KNP2101HS Worship Practicum Knox College, Winter 2016 KNP2101HS Time: Tuesday, 2-5pm Chapel Worship takes place from 4-5pm. Chapel attendance is mandatory for this course. Please plan to gather for 10 minutes following the end of chapel for a brief time of evaluation. Instructor: Rev. Dr. Sarah Travis sarah.travis@utoronto.ca COURSE DESCRIPTION Building on introductory worship courses, this course will explore worship as a theological practice. It will examine a series of topics related to the development of worship leadership skills, nurturing community through worship, and effective worship practices for the contemporary church. The first part of the course will ask the question: How do we as worship leaders understand the realities facing worshipping communities in the twenty-first century? The second part of the course asks: How do we as worship leaders practice evaluation and discernment in a diverse and dynamic twenty-first century context? COURSE OUTCOMES 1. Through practice and theological reflection, students will develop a dynamic and practical theology of worship. 2. Students will develop skills for effective worship leadership. 3. Students will learn about a wide variety of ancient and contemporary forms of Christian worship, and consider the implications of technology, space, and art for worship today. 4. Students will reflect on the implications of culture and difference for worship. 5. Students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of worship in specific contexts, as 1

2 DRAFT well as developing an awareness of their own leadership styles. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Required Books (available at Crux): Leanne Van Dyk. A More Profound Alleluia: Theology and Worship in Harmony. Calvin Institute of Worship Liturgical Studies Series. Louisville: KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Long, Kimberly Bracken. The Worshipping Body: The Art of Leading Worship. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Required articles/chapters are listed below in the course outline. These are on reserve in the Caven Library, and also available on Blackboard. Another required resource is the Knox College Worship Handbook, which can be found at: Blackboard: This course has a blackboard site to be used for continuing discussions outside of class, and submitting assignments. You will also find worship schedules, required readings, and other resources. Assignments: 1. Journal In order to deepen your reflection upon class discussions and course readings, as well as your own experience as a participant and leader of worship services, you are asked to keep a journal. Each entry should be 500 words due in class every two weeks. Each entry should consider ideas and questions that have arisen through the previous two weeks. What new things have you learned? What ideas have challenged you? What are the implications of what you have learned for the context in which you worship? Note: The final journal should reflect on the learning goals you identified at the beginning of the course. To what extent have you met those goals? What further support will you need to accomplish your goals? Evaluative Criteria: clarity, creativity, depth of engagement with readings/lectures/discussions, reveals a growing theological awareness of worship. Please note: each journal will be read and commented on, but the grade will be assigned after all journals have been completed. Due: On Blackboard: January 20, February 3, February 24, March 10, March 24. 2

3 2. In-Class Worship and Self-Evaluation Each week, class will begin with a 20-minute time of worship. Each student will lead one worship sessions. You may choose any style of worship, and does not necessarily need to take place in the classroom. The student is responsible for booking space (if not using the classroom), providing music and printed materials if necessary. Feel free to ask friends to attend, and help with music. The week following your worship service, submit a 1-2 page evaluation/reflection of your worship service. What were your goals for this time of worship? Were your goals met? What was most effective? What was least effective? What would you do differently next time, based on feedback from your peers and the professor? Evaluative Criteria: effectiveness of worship leadership, quality of preparation, depth of insight and honest reflection in evaluation. Note: if you are working with a partner, each of you will receive a separate grade. Due: as scheduled. Evaluation/reflection due before the next class. 3. Chapel Worship Students will prepare and lead a Tuesday afternoon Knox Community Worship service. Students are responsible for recruiting other leaders (i.e. musicians, etc), and preparing any materials (such as an order of service). You are encouraged to include other students/faculty/staff in worship leadership. Early in the course, we will be discussing learning goals/areas of growth please give your fellow students opportunities to develop their skills. Immediately following the chapel worship service, the class will gather for a 10 minute time of evaluation. There are two components to planning and reflecting on this service. 1. One week prior to leading worship, the group will submit an ANNOTATED outline of the worship service to the professor. The outline will identify each element of worship, with a brief description of its purpose within the overall worship service. Why have you chosen this particular element? Please note, this means that the details of your worship service must be confirmed at least one week ahead. 2. Following the worship service, each student will submit a 500 word reflective evaluation. I am looking for evidence that you have reflected upon the comments of the professor and classmates. Evaluative Criteria: The grade for this assignment is based upon your preparation ahead of the worship service, and your reflection upon the worship after it is over. Thus, marks will not be assigned for worship leadership itself (although feedback will be offered. Criteria include degree of organization, individual contribution to team, the 3

4 degree to which worship elements reflect principles/ideas discussed in class and course readings, quality of post-worship reflection. Note: if you are working with a partner, each of you will receive a separate grade. Due: as scheduled. Evaluation/reflection due the next week. 4. Annotated Bibliography There is a vast amount of literature and resources available to support worship leadership. Identifying these resources and learning to evaluate their value is a useful exercise for your current and future ministry. At the end of the semester, students will submit a fully annotated bibliography of at least 12 resources that you feel will be useful to you as a worship leader. Give i) a one paragraph summary of each book/resource, and ii) attempt to answer the following questions: in what worship context would this book/resource be most helpful? In what way do I think this book/resource will enable me to lead worship effectively? What theological statement does this book/resource make regarding worship? NOTE: you must choose resources that are different from those used in class. While this project is due at the end of the semester, you should begin working on it immediately. You do not have to read each book/resource in its entirety, but you do have demonstrate familiarity with its content. Evaluative Criteria: degree of familiarity with the book/resource, ability to communicate information about the resource in a concise yet detailed manner, critical engagement with the resource. Due: April 8 5. Class Participation This is a participatory, practical course. You are required to come to class prepared to discuss the readings, share your own beliefs and experiences regarding worship, and participate fully in class activities. Course Evaluation 1. Journal 15% 2. In-Class Worship 25% 3. Chapel Worship 30% 4. Annotated Bibliography 20% 5. Participation 10% 4

5 COURSE OUTLINE January 12: Week One Introduction to Course Syllabus Sign up for Worship Leadership (in class and chapel) Review: Principles of Reformed worship Learning goals: each student establishes goals for the semester. January 19: Week Two Worship in the Twenty-first Century Church Leadership: Developing theology and practice Where are we now? Canadian worship in-between modernity and postmodernity. Cherry: Worship Architect. Introduction, Chapter 1 and 2 January 26: Week Three Worship and Culture What is the relationship between worship and the culture at large? The Emergent Church Major cultural issues affecting worship today. Worship, Identity and Power Kathy Black. Culturally-Conscious Worship. St. Louis, Mo: Chalice Press, Introduction and Chapter 3 Reading #1 Nairobi Statement on Worship Reading #2 Videos: roach-to-culture/ PBS video about emerging church. 5

6 February 2: Week Four Contexts for Worship Exegeting congregational worship style and leader=s worship style Test case: Knox College chapel community. Cherry: Chapter 2 and 3 read article AWho in the world are these people?@ se-people by Bob Wells. Reading #3 Leonora Tubbs Tisdale. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, Chapter 3. Reading #4 February 9: Week Five Evaluating worship What is effective worship? How do we measure success? What is our role as >discerning= leaders? Choosing quality worship materials and resources. February 17: Reading Week February 23: Week Six Worship and Conflict Leadership during times of Conflict and Transition leading worship during times of congregational transition Case Study: Leading Worship as an Interim Moderator Cherry, Chapter 7 and 8 6

7 Carol Doran and Thomas H. Troeger. Trouble at the Table: Gathering the Tribes for Worship. Nashville: Abingdon Press, Chapter 1 Reading #5 March 1: Week Seven Children in Worship Guest: Dr. Laura Alary Young Children and Worship by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman (Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox Press, 1989). Reading #6 "Letting the Story Stand," by Sonja Stewart, Reformed Worship No. 12 (Summer, 1989): Reading #7 Practice-Joyce-Ann-Mercer html March 8: Week Eight Nurturing Congregational Identity and Community through Worship Dealing with Cultural difference (ethnicity, age, socioeconomic difference) Issues of accessibility/inclusivity Children and Youth in Worship (follow-up from last week) Shaping a Common Point of Identity Blount, Brian K., and Leonora Tubbs Tisdale. Making Room at the Table: An Invitation to Multicultural Worship. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, Chapter 7 and 9. (These chapters are written by Sang Hyun Lee and Kenda Creasy Dean). Reading #8 7

8 March 15: Week Nine Worship and Technology Developing a theological approach to worship technology. In what ways does technology enhance worship? Copyright Using technology well. Leonard Sweet. Viral: How Social Networking is Poised to Ignite Revival. WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs, CL, Introduction, Chapter 1 and 2. Reading #9 March 22: Week Ten Music and Worship exploring a variety of ancient/contemporary styles and practices. Cherry. Chapter 9, 10, 11. March 29: Week Eleven Embodying Worship: Sacrament At the Table: To touch and handle things unseen Cherry. Chapter 12 and 13. Kimberly Long. The Worshiping Body. ALL CHAPTERS Choose a communion liturgy to share with the class (instructions will be provided) April 5: Week Twelve Worship as Embodied theology Developing a Theology of Worship Who are you as a Worship Leader? Emergent issues 8

9 Evaluations Cherry. Chapter 15 COURSE POLICIES: Policies for courses are contained in the TST Basic Degree Handbook and the Knox College Student Handbook. In particular note: Late Assignments Policy: If you need an extension, you must discuss it with the professor before the assignment is due. Generally, I will be gracious. However, if you have not discussed a late assignment with me, you will lose 5% per day until the assignment is submitted, at the discretion of the professor. Completion of Course work: all course work (including any late work) must be completed by dates as set out by the Instructor. Only in the case of illness (with a note from a doctor), bereavement or other unusual circumstances will an extension be considered and this must be authorized by the Faculty. An SDF request form must be submitted. Style Guidelines for Papers: see A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, by Kate L. Turabian. Attendance: Students are expected to see that in a professional program they must approach study as they would employment. To that end, it is a regulation of the Board of Governors of Knox College that a minimum of 80% attendance at lecture courses is required for credit: 100% attendance is required at seminar courses. Habitual lateness for class will be counted as absence. Inclusive Language: Inclusive language is to be used in all class presentations and written assignments, as well as in public worship leadership. assignments: Papers and assignments may be accepted by , but you must receive permission from the instructor. Plagiarism Policy: See TST Basic Degree Handbook Consultation: Please do not hesitate to consult with the instructor about any questions you may have. is normally the most immediate form of contact. Grading Scheme The grading scheme for this course is outlined in the Basic Degree Handbook. 9