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Articles 1 - 30 of 79
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Jesus Leads Worship: A Theological Investigation Of The Role Of Jesus Christ In Worship, Vernon M. Whaley
Jesus Leads Worship: A Theological Investigation Of The Role Of Jesus Christ In Worship, Vernon M. Whaley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There are many books, published articles and formal studies by well-known evangelical theologians and authors that make the case of how Jesus is sufficiently prepared to serve the role as our own personal high priest. But, few studies provide theological and practical evidence that Jesus is passionate in accepting His responsibility to lead us in worship. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate how Jesus Christ is central to our worship and, as Sovereign, He is superior to all of the Old Testament forms of worship. This research seeks to provide a theological, historical and philosophical study of Jesus …
Analysis Of Song Choice At An Anglican Church In The North West, Yvette Wong
Analysis Of Song Choice At An Anglican Church In The North West, Yvette Wong
Masters Theses
The rise of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) in the last hundred years has gradually led to the so-called worship wars in the late twentieth century. While scholars (Lester Ruth, Ted Peter, and Vernon Whaley) note that the tension has several fronts, Ruth points out that the most obvious front line of combat in the wars was music on instrumentation, song repertoires between hymns and choruses, and the role of song in corporate worship. To keep the peace, many churches have settled for either one style of service, combined the two in the same service, commonly known as a blended service, …
The Fellowship Of Christ's Sufferings: Toward A Practical Philosophy Of Worship For Missions In The Latin American Church, Moriah Hope Joseph
The Fellowship Of Christ's Sufferings: Toward A Practical Philosophy Of Worship For Missions In The Latin American Church, Moriah Hope Joseph
Senior Honors Theses
Within Latin America, evil and suffering are ever-present realities that cannot be concealed, and the Hispanic society is aching for relief. Liberation Theology and the prosperity gospel – and their accompanying worship practices – have been offered as tools to help alleviate the experience of suffering. But these theological perspectives and practices have accomplished little in edifying the Church by way of truth. Thus, the call for the modern missionary is to instead preach worship that is a response to the incarnate Christ in suffering. The missionary must advocate for worship practices that provide space for biblical lament, reveal a …
Curricular Design For Private Christian Music Instruction, Jonathan Michelsen
Curricular Design For Private Christian Music Instruction, Jonathan Michelsen
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Private Christian music instruction is designed to develop musicians who grow in both musical skill and spiritual maturity. While this dual purpose is commonly assumed, there is limited research on how private music curricula intentionally integrate biblical theology with structured music pedagogy. Many private music programs focus on technical development, yet few studies explore how faith-based instruction shapes curriculum design, instructional goals, and teaching practices. This qualitative study investigated how instructors and program leaders described their instructional approaches to musical development, theological integration, and spiritual formation within selected private music education providers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with instructors and program …
From Tradition To Transformation: Cultural And Musical Inclusivity In Sda Worship Practices, Alicia Raquel Jones-Lumbuz
From Tradition To Transformation: Cultural And Musical Inclusivity In Sda Worship Practices, Alicia Raquel Jones-Lumbuz
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This dissertation examines worship inclusivity within multicultural Seventh-day Adventist congregations in the greater Houston, Texas, area, focusing on the experiences of migrants, first-generation Americans, and long-standing members. It highlights how their diverse cultural backgrounds, theological beliefs, and worship expectations shape congregational life. The study fills a gap in Adventist worship scholarship by exploring the lived experiences of worshippers in multicultural settings, particularly the perspectives of migrants whose attitudes toward worship are influenced by cultural heritage and traditional views of reverence. Data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic observations. Thematic analysis reveals eight interrelated themes, showing that …
A Brief Historical Survey Of The Use Of Traditional Hymnody In Select Baptist Churches In Texas, Christina N. King
A Brief Historical Survey Of The Use Of Traditional Hymnody In Select Baptist Churches In Texas, Christina N. King
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This research set out to understand the past, present, and future value of hymnody in select Baptist churches in Texas. The research addresses the critical concerns in Baptist worship: the shift from traditional to contemporary music and the potential loss of theologically sound songs that have historically grounded the faith of believers. The primary purpose of this study is to discover the depth and breadth of hymn usage in worship and understand how hymnody is perceived to shape believers theological understanding and spiritual formation. This study was undertaken as a multi-site case study of five select churches, with five people …
The Harmonic Confluence: A Worship Synthesis Model For One God And One Worship Examining The Impact Of Leadership Styles And Music Selection On Congregational Unity In Evangelical Churches Of The Bible Belt, Joshua Dwayne Randle
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite significant scholarship on church growth strategies and worship practices, the nuanced impact of worship leadership styles on church dynamics within the Bible Belt remains underexplored. This study examines how worship leadership styles ranging from traditional liturgical approaches to contemporary band-led services shape congregational engagement, retention, and growth within evangelical churches across this historically significant region. Tracing the Bible Belt’s revivalist heritage, denominational distinctives, and worship traditions, the research situates contemporary practices within their broader historical and theological framework. Utilizing a historical qualitative research design, the study integrates archival research, denominational reports, church bulletins, worship setlists, and livestream archives. It …
The Integration Of Multicultural Music And Defining Successful Integration Of Multicultural Music In Three Predominantly White Churches In Baltimore, Maryland: A Case Study, Homeretta Ayala
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
It is important to acknowledge the words in Scripture honoring people of all ethnic groups as cities and therefore churches become more diverse. Baltimore, Maryland is a diverse city, with numerous ethnic communities including those of Italian, Greek, African American, African, Hispanic, and Jewish descent; many churches, however, remain predominantly White. Music is an essential element in worship, and some churches are limited to the ethnic hymns of their congregational hymnals, thus ignoring the wide body of multicultural music that is available. There are numerous challenges when integrating multicultural music, especially if the congregation is not ethnically diverse. At first …
From Eden To Eternity: An Artist's Narrative, Rachel L. Mah
From Eden To Eternity: An Artist's Narrative, Rachel L. Mah
Senior Honors Theses and Projects
A vocal performance student’s junior and senior recitals are crucial to the completion of their Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance degree. This thesis paper describes how I, a vocal performance student, enhance and connect my voice recitals through my artistry and faith in God in order to tell a narrative that is personal to myself. This creative project brings together the fine arts of music, paint, poetry, and literary analysis to enrich the audience’s overall experience of the performances. This senior project is accomplished through the intensive planning, preparation, and execution of thematically creating a cohesive narrative that reflects …
Gospel-Centric Liturgy For Contemporary Worship: A Biblical Basis For Locally Crafted Worship Songs, Adriane M. Blanco
Gospel-Centric Liturgy For Contemporary Worship: A Biblical Basis For Locally Crafted Worship Songs, Adriane M. Blanco
Masters Theses
Despite a cultural shift toward creating original worship music in churches today, there remains a need for new songs that reinforce biblical theology and foster spiritual formation through an intentional gospel-centric liturgy contextualized for the local congregation. Such a gospel liturgy consists of a cycle of songs that, with each weekly gathering of the church body, reiterates the revelation of God's presence, humanity’s sinful nature, Christ’s work of salvation, and the believer’s response in worship. At the same time, it is essential to emphasize spiritual songs that express the heartfelt emotions of the worshiper, maintaining a balance in properly worshiping …
The Influence Of A Worship And Arts Camp Experience As A Student On Future Worship Leadership: A Case Study, Rhea Marshall
The Influence Of A Worship And Arts Camp Experience As A Student On Future Worship Leadership: A Case Study, Rhea Marshall
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The world began with God’s act of creation, and He made humans in His image, giving them the innate ability to create. The Bible shows many examples of this creativity in people’s lives. Worship arts allow believers to reflect God’s image through artistic expression. The apostle Paul encourages the church to dedicate their bodies as living sacrifices as an act of worship. Worship arts enable individuals to offer their creativity to God through their bodies. Significant progress has been made in how the church develops worship arts ministries. The primary focus has been on how participation influences adult church members. …
Differentiation In Artistic Expressions Of Worship: A Study Of The Front Royal Church Of The Nazarene, Stephanie L. Blakely
Differentiation In Artistic Expressions Of Worship: A Study Of The Front Royal Church Of The Nazarene, Stephanie L. Blakely
Masters Theses
While music is globally recognized as a common tool for expressing worship in both academia and the evangelical church, it is not the only art form mentioned in the Bible regarding acts of worship. The Council of Arts Accrediting Associations recognizes four main disciplines of fine and performing arts, including Music, Art and Design, Theatre, and Dance; however, in the twenty-first century evangelical church, music takes precedence as the main expression of worship. This qualitative study will gain insight into the pursuit and understanding of utilizing various art forms as expressions of biblical worship in modern-day worship settings within the …
An Ethnodoxological Approach To Developing A Worship Leader Training Program In Infanta, Quezon, Philippines, Lindsay Kay Oakley
An Ethnodoxological Approach To Developing A Worship Leader Training Program In Infanta, Quezon, Philippines, Lindsay Kay Oakley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Although there has been an increase in pastor training programs in the Philippines to fulfill the need created by the steady growth of evangelical church plants, there are few initiatives to create worship leader training programs. Worship is central to the evangelical church, and music plays an important role in the spiritual formation of believers in churches throughout the world. However, because of worship theology constructs and the implications of Filipino culture for worship contextualization, more attention must be given to equipping worship leaders for ministry in the Philippines. This study sought to identify the training and resources needed to …
Perceptions Of Congregational Engagement In Evangelical Church Worship Programs, Tim Allums
Perceptions Of Congregational Engagement In Evangelical Church Worship Programs, Tim Allums
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite existing research on worship leader training and choosing music for congregational worship, a study on the perceptions of congregational worship engagement from the perspectives of worship leaders and congregants has yet to be examined. Congregational worship is formational and helps believers continue to grow in their faith by singing their praise to God with one voice and declaring the tenets of their shared faith. This study sought to reveal perceptions of worship engagement by surveying nineteen worship leaders and one hundred fifteen congregants from thirty-nine evangelical churches around the United States to identify the musical aspects that either enhance …
An Analysis Of The Adequacy Of Preparation For The Totality Of Worship Leadership, Michael Kenneth Geake
An Analysis Of The Adequacy Of Preparation For The Totality Of Worship Leadership, Michael Kenneth Geake
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite the gradual transition of “music minister” into “worship leader,” preparation and training for the expanded roles may be considered slow in terms of total responsibilities. While degree programs have incorporated in-depth coursework in essential ministry topics – such as theology, discipleship, and evangelism – there has been little recognition of their roles as managers and counselors. Many of these programs prepare students for jobs that no longer exist. This study focuses on the worship leader, both as a student and as one who has already started their career, with responsibilities in the church and to their family. Through qualitative …
Theological Themes And Musical Influences Of Worship In Indonesian Immigrant Churches In The United States, Agnes Keren Bale
Theological Themes And Musical Influences Of Worship In Indonesian Immigrant Churches In The United States, Agnes Keren Bale
Masters Theses
Beyond evoking emotional experience, theologically sound songs are crucial for evangelizing, edifying the church, and congregational spiritual growth. This study examines worship in Indonesian immigrant churches in the United States, analyzing recurring theological themes in the most regularly featured songs in the worship repertoire. Additionally, it explores the influence of Western worship music which shapes the blended identity of these churches. Via the data gathered through worship service observations from a few churches and a survey for platform ministers, twenty-two congregational songs were coded and analyzed for their theological themes. Findings included the omnipotence and sovereignty of God, victory/battle, faith, …
Harmonizing Faith Across Generations: The Spiritual Resonance Of Modernizing Traditional Worship Lyrics, Hyoeun Eunice Jeon
Harmonizing Faith Across Generations: The Spiritual Resonance Of Modernizing Traditional Worship Lyrics, Hyoeun Eunice Jeon
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The quest to create an inclusive worship environment that honors diversity without sacrificing the sacred essence of traditional hymns is challenging. This study is anchored in the understanding that music, as a profound expression of faith, has the power to transform individuals and communities, and therefore modernizing traditional hymn lyrics could be vital in bridging the generational divide. This would then enhance the sense of togetherness in communal worship. By employing a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes the impact of lyrical modernization on intergenerational engagement within worship settings. Data was collected through interviews and participatory observation, tapping into the …
The Call To Worship/Music Vocational Ministry: A Case Study To Better Understand The Function Of The God-Ordained Call To Vocational Worship Ministry, Jerry Leonard Newman
The Call To Worship/Music Vocational Ministry: A Case Study To Better Understand The Function Of The God-Ordained Call To Vocational Worship Ministry, Jerry Leonard Newman
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This study investigates the multifaceted role of worship and music leaders in Christian congregations. It emphasizes that their responsibilities extend beyond mere musical proficiency to embody a profound spiritual calling rooted in a vocational call to ministry. A survey of 401 worship leaders from various Christian denominations reveals the role's dual nature: they are skilled musicians and spiritual guides uniquely called to facilitate the congregation’s faith journey. This vocational calling highlights their divine appointment to ministry, aligning with biblical principles such as those found in Ephesians 4:11-12, which stress the equipping of the saints and the building up of the …
Discovering Their Purpose For Praise: Revitalizing Corporate Worship In An Ethnic Japanese Church In Hawaii, Marc Chikara Imamura
Discovering Their Purpose For Praise: Revitalizing Corporate Worship In An Ethnic Japanese Church In Hawaii, Marc Chikara Imamura
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The problem at Honolulu Christian Church Japanese Department is that ontologies skewed by traditionalism and Japanese culture prevented full participation in congregational worship, resulting in unawareness and deprived spiritual growth. The purpose of this project was to revitalize HCCJD’s corporate worship through research and pedagogy that empowered congregants with a purpose for their praise. It was hypothesized that if HCCJD discovered the purpose for their praise, then they would be more inclined to participate in corporate worship, increasing the likelihood of spiritual growth. Recruiting efforts yielded thirteen consenting adult HCCJD members, ten of whom were able to contribute to the …
Authenticity And Worship Technology: An Evaluation Of The Use Of Prerecorded Vocal And Instrumental Tracks In Worship In Augusta, Georgia, Susan R. Burgess
Authenticity And Worship Technology: An Evaluation Of The Use Of Prerecorded Vocal And Instrumental Tracks In Worship In Augusta, Georgia, Susan R. Burgess
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Every week, congregations in Augusta, Georgia, gather for corporate worship. A common practice among these congregations is incorporating pre-recorded music technology in their services. Technological advancements have significantly transformed the worship landscape. In this performance-oriented culture, the focus at times shifts from congregationally focused praise to a worship stage production, overshadowing the importance of biblical and authentic worship. This phenomenological case study investigates the lived experiences of worshipers in Augusta, Georgia, focusing on the perceptions of authenticity of worship when pre-recorded music is used. The study involved 15 participants from the Central Savannah River Area, examining their perspectives on authentic …
Christ’S Hallel And The Christian’S Hallelujah: A Comparative Analysis Of Jesus’ Last Supper Hymn With Contemporary Worship Songs, Maria Rica Silbol
Christ’S Hallel And The Christian’S Hallelujah: A Comparative Analysis Of Jesus’ Last Supper Hymn With Contemporary Worship Songs, Maria Rica Silbol
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples is one of the most iconic events in Christendom. One of the fewer talked-about scenarios in this historical event is Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26, when Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn before his crucifixion. This study examines the Hallel or Psalms 113–118, which Bible scholars believe was the hymn that Jesus sang with his disciples. The primary themes and emphases of these psalms are identified and coded. The goal of this research is to provide a metric for how the teachings from the Hallel may serve as a reference …
The Impact Of Psalm Singing In Corporate Worship In The Canadian Reformed Churches: Perspectives Of The Congregants, Jan Frederik Ezinga
The Impact Of Psalm Singing In Corporate Worship In The Canadian Reformed Churches: Perspectives Of The Congregants, Jan Frederik Ezinga
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The Canadian Reformed Churches1 have a rich history of Psalm Singing, which originated in the 16th-century Reformation, continuing the early church and biblical tradition. Their first Synod in 1954 prioritized singing psalms, initiating the development of an English Psalter containing all 150 Psalms.2 After almost seventy-five years, Psalm Singing characterizes worship in over seventy congregations and church plants in Canada and the USA. Despite this tradition and culture of singing psalms in multigenerational worship, General Synods of the Canadian Reformed Churches have received continuous requests to add more hymns or other songs in the past twenty-five years. The arguments tend …
An Inquiry Into The Perceived Effects Of Historical Revivalism On The Corporate Worship Behaviors Of Modern-Day Fundamental And Independent, Baptist And Bible Churches, Jeremy David Yowell
An Inquiry Into The Perceived Effects Of Historical Revivalism On The Corporate Worship Behaviors Of Modern-Day Fundamental And Independent, Baptist And Bible Churches, Jeremy David Yowell
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Modern-day, independent Bible and Baptist churches continue to structure their corporate worship services after the pattern of the American revivalists of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The purpose of this qualitative study with an ethnographic design is to examine the lived experiences of pastors and church leaders from independent Bible and Baptist churches and seek to understand their perceptions of (1) the purpose of corporate worship, (2) the place of evangelism in corporate worship, and (3) the influence of revivalism upon corporate worship practices. Additionally, historical research about the revivalist movement and its influence on worship behaviors is considered. Several …
Sacred Music Of African American Catholics: Understanding Usage In High Liturgy, William S. Harrison
Sacred Music Of African American Catholics: Understanding Usage In High Liturgy, William S. Harrison
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite steady progress toward honoring cultural identity in liturgy, the Roman Catholic Church has historically ignored the vast musical contributions of African Americans in the celebration of the Holy Mass. This study explores the historical, theological, and cultural application of music from the African and African American diaspora in urban Catholic churches that employ high liturgy as a practice in corporate worship. While many post-Vatican II documents govern culturally inclusive liturgical practices, little is known about the challenges in implementing and maintaining authentic Catholic African American corporate worship traditions in these spaces. The universality of the Roman Catholic faith is …
Training The Volunteer Technical Artist For Their Role In Worship Ministry, Stephanie Wilkinson
Training The Volunteer Technical Artist For Their Role In Worship Ministry, Stephanie Wilkinson
Masters Theses
Church technical artists have an integral role in modern worship services due to the use of technology in church production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of different aspects of the role a technical artist has in worship ministry, as well as to explore current training practices and determine effective ways to train the volunteer technical artist holistically beyond their technical role. Church technical directors, technical volunteers, and worship pastors were interviewed and surveyed to collect data used to determine the level of importance of a volunteer’s different roles and responsibilities and how they affect worship …
The Online Member’S Experience Of Pastoral Care Through Worship, Ryan Michael Loche
The Online Member’S Experience Of Pastoral Care Through Worship, Ryan Michael Loche
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Online church services are normative for many churches. Given the relentless nature of creating a service every Sunday, church and worship leaders often do not consider how the online participant experiences the service they are viewing. Virtual reality church services are not yet as ubiquitous as online services but also warrant study. Careful attention must be given to how and why a church provides online and virtual services for its members. To not do so is a disservice to congregants and potentially a waste of time and resources for a church. This phenomenological qualitative study through the lens of a …
Multicultural Worship Studies Of Military Chapels In South Korea, Abbey Nicole Bradley
Multicultural Worship Studies Of Military Chapels In South Korea, Abbey Nicole Bradley
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite a large body of literature on Korean/American worship, there is little to no research that addresses multicultural worship of the United States Army Garrison (USAG) in the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the Protestant military chapels. In addition, there is also a lack of research regarding worship ministry at USAG installations in general, aside from general multicultural worship models. Developing a biblical and multicultural worship model for the Protestant USAG chapels in the Republic of Korea is essential because of the diverse ethnicities in the U.S. military and the diverse backgrounds, denominations, and cultures within the military chapel communities. …
Music Literacy And Worship Theology For Volunteer Choir And Worship Teams, Timothy Ray Marsden
Music Literacy And Worship Theology For Volunteer Choir And Worship Teams, Timothy Ray Marsden
Masters Theses
When building a worship team and a worship-leading choir, worship pastors seek gifted volunteers within their congregations to add to the numbers of their groups. Assessing team members' music literacy and theology of worship often comes later in the process, if at all. This project aims to determine the essentials of music literacy for a volunteer choir or worship team member. It will create a curriculum for developing those skills further through weekly rehearsals. The project will also seek to define a theology of worship for the First United Methodist Church of Red Oak, Iowa, and a plan to study …
How Lifestyle Worship Develops The Qualities Of Effective Leadership In Sacred And Secular Leaders, Pervis Omar Blake
How Lifestyle Worship Develops The Qualities Of Effective Leadership In Sacred And Secular Leaders, Pervis Omar Blake
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This qualitative study will examine how lifestyle worship develops the qualities of effective leadership in sacred and secular leaders. The study will use descriptive research regarding leaders from the sacred and secular fields. This study will prove the benefit of the approach of developing leaders through the lifestyle worship model to be impactful in both. The study shows there are common themes and qualities of leaders in different levels of leadership and varying years of leadership. Although there are separate studies on the qualities of effective leadership in both the sacred and secular worlds, there is currently little to no …
Seeking Biblical Clarity Through Blended Worship In Georgia Baptist Churches, Angelia Weide Mcleroy
Seeking Biblical Clarity Through Blended Worship In Georgia Baptist Churches, Angelia Weide Mcleroy
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Despite worship training, many leaders in Georgia Baptist churches struggle to combine music styles cohesively to produce biblical worship. Because of the musical “worship wars” regarding traditional, contemporary, and blended styles, many leaders encounter congregations that lack an understanding of blended worship that marries varied music styles. Guided by survey findings of Georgia Baptist music leaders, this qualitative research case study may identify challenges leaders face concerning stylistic music selections while striving to achieve biblical worship. By evaluating the educational and training process and biblical content, the methodological selection of music can be assessed through this study as documented worship …