Liturgy and Worship Commons^™

Singing The Lord’S Song . . . In Times Like These: Exploring Worship And Music In Some English-Speaking Caribbean Contexts, Nicole Ashwood

Symposium on Worship Archive

Come join participants from the Caribbean as they lead us in songs of prayer, praise, proclamation and deliverance for such a time as this. Out of many cultures, one song to God.

Dancing Through The Church Year, Susan Wilson

Symposium on Worship Archive

This workshop will teach examples of liturgical dance to be used throughout the church year, starting with Worldwide Communion and then moving to Advent/Christmas, Lent/Palm Sunday and Easter, and Pentecost. She will also offer ideas for how dance can be used throughout the worship service--in a call to worship, praise, prayer, offering, communion, response to the message and the benediction.

Can The Organ Sound Like A Conga? Leading Cross Cultural Song From The Organ, John Ferguson

Symposium on Worship Archive

The organ can lead and accompany an amazing variety of musical styles. John Ferguson will share techniques for leading many nontraditional styles of congregational song from the organ, using his new resource Many and Great: Introductions and Accompaniments for Global Hymns (Morningstar). If you own this resource, bring it to the workshop!

The Art And Craft Of Creating Texts For Congregational Song, Ruth Duck

Symposium on Worship Archive

Ruth Duck, widely published author of many psalm and hymn texts, including in Lift Up Your Hearts and Psalms for All Seasons, will introduce several of her texts and speak about her process in writing hymns. As a seminary professor of worship, she has many insights to offer about writing, theology, and worship as they intersect in congregational singing.

Singing Songs From The Global South In A North American Church Context, Debbie Lou Ludolph

Symposium on Worship Archive

In this workshop we will sing songs of faith from around the world, share experiences of learning to sing these songs by reflecting together on how to meet the challenges of introducing foreign languages, alternate instrumentation and movement in a predominantly Euro-North American context.

A New Song. A Skillful Song, Bruce Benedict, Ruth Duck, Greg Scheer

Symposium on Worship Archive

Those of us who feel Psalm 33's call to write new songs must remember that the Psalm also tells us to play skillfully. In this seminar we will focus on the skills of songwriting for congregations, digging into what it means to balance inspiration and perspiration. Join Ruth Duck, Bruce Benedict and Greg Scheer, three songwriters who also spend much of their time editing the works of others as they discuss their approaches to creating new texts, new tunes, and combining texts and tunes. Participants will be invited (not required) in early January to send two of their own congregational …

Rhythms Of Desire, Jeremy Begbie, James K.A. Smith

Symposium on Worship Archive

A seminar with presentations by philosopher Jamie Smith and theologian Jeremy Begbie, exploring the theme of desire in worship, drawing especially on music. It will include a dialogue between Jamie and Jeremy, live performance at the piano, and extended time for discussion with the audience.

The Role Of The Pastor As The Primary Worship Leader In The Local Church, Roger Holliman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to encourage pastors to embrace their role as the principle worship leader, rather than to accept and believe "I am not the worship leader." This thesis project investigates and examines a senior pastor's theological duty and obligation as the worship leader of his or her church, and provides the biblical mandate and approaches for how to do this effectively and as a team leader. Through personal interviews of six pastors, plus current research on the topic of worship, this thesis provides instructions on how senior pastors may implement strategies to enhance their understanding of …

Kachin Sound Instruments Within The Context Of The Kachin Baptist Convention Of Northern Burma: History, Classification, And Uses, Walter Brath

Masters Theses

This organology identifies and describes the Kachin's sound instruments, classifies them according to the Hornbostel-Sachs' system, and considers evidence of an indigenous classification scheme. Very little research exists to date on the music of the Kachin peoples of Northern Burma. This paper cites the only known indigenous organology and is the first English language study to extrapolate evidence into an emergent classification system. This qualitative study is based on ethnographic interviews, the minimal literature available on the topic, and participant observation drawn from fieldwork conducted in the Kachin State of Northern Burma (modern day Myanmar) during the months of May …

The Taizé Community: Music And Prayer, Brad Berglund

Symposium on Worship Archive

This nuts and bolts workshop will focus on the music of the Taizé Community and their unique practice of sung prayer. Using the published resources available to us, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to create a Taizé-style prayer service, lead the music, choose scripture readings and involve soloists and instrumentalists.

Songs Of Celebration And Contemplation From East Africa, Jean Ngoya Kidula

Symposium on Worship Archive

Many peoples in different parts of the world are usually introduced to the performance of Christian religious song that emanates from the cultural and other background of those who initially bring the gospel to them. In many parts of Africa, these were the songs of missionaries from Europe or the Americas. However new songs have also been composed that bear the ‘missionary’ style, or embrace the various other musical languages of the converts. Among the most utilized in East Africa are songs in Kiswahili language. In this workshop, we will examine and perform some Christian songs of contemplation and celebration …

Accessible Organ Repertoire For Service Playing, John Ferguson

Symposium on Worship Archive

We’ll look at, listen to, and discuss useful organ repertoire for use in worship from all periods of music, up to and including today.

Beyond The Bamboo Curtain: New Asian Songs For Worship, Swee Hong Lim, I-To Loh, Joel Navarro

Symposium on Worship Archive

This singing and conversational session will introduce new Asian songs collected in recent years along with their background stories and how these might be used in the context of worship. The Companion to the Sound the Bamboo (GIA, 2011) as well as music handouts will serve as catalysts for the conversation.

A Survey Of Christian Cross-Over Songwriting: Core Principles And Potential For Impact, Paul Malhotra

Senior Honors Theses

A cross-over song has been defined as a song written by a Christian artist aimed at a mainstream audience. An understanding of the core principles of cross-over songs and their relevance in contemporary culture is essential for Christian songwriters. Six albums marked by spiritual overtones or undertones, representing a broad spectrum of contemporary cross-over music, were examined. Selected songs were critiqued by analyzing the album of origin, lyrical content, author’s expressed worldview, and level of commercial success. Renaissance art also provided a historical parallel to modern day songwriting. Recommendations were developed for Christian songwriters to craft songs with greater effectiveness …

A Renewed Approach To Undergraduate Worship Leader Education, Allen Hendricks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church music degree program at Charleston Southern University, based on a European traditional/classical sacred music degree model, has been attracting fewer and fewer students. The last two students pursuing this degree were graduated in May, 2011. Prior to their graduation, the administration encouraged the music department to investigate current career markets and the worship leadership training strategies of other institutions. The purpose of this project is to design a suitable worship leadership degree and thus assist the university in its mission to equip churches with properly trained ministry leaders. Survey instruments will be used to discover the expectations of …

When Black Meets White In The Heart Of Worship: A Case-Study Of Musical Changes In A Multiracial Church, Serge Volpe

Masters Theses

The Worldwide Church of God began as a denomination relying on certain Jewish practices and other Euro-centric distinctions to define its' identity. In the New York City area, African-American churchgoers exceeded that of whites; yet church liturgy retained its European-American flavor. When the denomination underwent transformation in the 1990s, many congregants were unable to accept changes, including new musical styles, and reacted in a manner inconsistent with what church leaders had hoped for. This thesis examines what some African-Americans experienced during this period when liturgy changed to include music representative of their culture. Interviews were conducted with African-American churchgoers from …

Discipling Worship Leadership: Biblical And Theological Rationale For Discipling Worship Leaders, Byron Spradlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current worship literature reveals very little guidance to assist Protestant church leaders in training, discipling or mentoring congregational worship leadership. Therefore, this thesis project researched and presents a basic rationale for developing worship leadership discipling curricula strategically targeting the needs related to discipling and training artistic Christians who are called to worship leadership in the local church.

The Strange Silence Of Songs Of Justice In Contemporary Biblical Worship, John L. Bell

Symposium on Worship Archive

The word justice is never far hidden in the vocabulary of the psalmists. Over half the psalms specifically use the word. But in worship today, particularly in the Western church, the word is suspect and politicised. In this workshop we look at how the global church does not share the reservations of the West, and also use examples of psalm settings which celebrate this necessary theme in our praise.

Drum Circle Worship, Eric Nykamp

Symposium on Worship Archive

This hands-on presentation explores how facilitated congregational drumming can be used in worship. All who come will be exposed to the basic facilitation techniques and make worship music together in this fun, interactive presentation. No prior drumming experience necessary!

Psalms For All Seasons: A Festival Of Singing, Martin Tel

Symposium on Worship Archive

An evening celebrating the release of this major collection that holds promise to bring the psalms into the heart of worship. Together we will explore the full spectrum of singing the psalms crossing boundaries of time and tradition. This festival is free and open to the public.

Jazz Vespers: Playing In Tongues, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Gillian Grannum

Symposium on Worship Archive

A Jazz Vesper/Prayer Service led by Gillian Grannum

Crafting A Hymn Tune: "Tricks Of The Trade", Alfred Fedak

Symposium on Worship Archive

A good congregational hymn tune is simple enough for untrained singers to learn quickly and sing well. It should also be fresh, memorable, and sturdy enough to withstand repetition. Finally, it must fit its text like a glove. How does one write such a tune? Come hear this widely-published composer describe his own process and offer advice on how to write your own good tunes. You are also invited to bring along a dozen copies of a tune or two you have composed, to share and to have the opportunity for an encouraging critique.

Medleys Of Praise: Creating Flow Within A Medley Of Congregational Songs, Robert Nordling

Symposium on Worship Archive

In this session we will use the Thursday Vespers Service (led by Robert Nordling) and walk through the design, planning and preparation involved using various instruments. Q/A time will follow, with time to explore options for instrumentation, transitions, copyrights, etc. Full packets of the medleyscore and parts will be distributed to those who attend.

Learning Reconciliation Through Worship Music And Community, David Bailey

Symposium on Worship Archive

Forty years ago Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “11 o’clock Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America.” Forty years later, the racial segregation has not changed a lot, and the segregation has spread to other areas such as age and class. In this workshop, we will discuss practical methods to use worship music as a tool in the ministry of reconciliation within a local church context.

Re-Tuning The Lyre, Karen Campbell

Symposium on Worship Archive

Psalms have been part of personal and public worship in Ireland since the times of St. Patrick. Yet, today some react against the tradition of metrical psalm singing. The Worship Panel of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland was tasked to examine, revise and refresh the use of psalms in corporate worship. This workshop will demonstrate some newer Irish psalm settings for worship and suggest ways for creative use of the Psalms in worship so that the next generation will come to know God, ‘even the children yet to be born so that they in turn will tell their children’ (Psalm …

Fresh And New, Tried And True Ii: A Session On Hymn-Based Piano Collections For Worship, Norma De Waal Malefyt

Symposium on Worship Archive

“If we only had / could…” can become too common a phrase in smaller congregations. God invites us to worship as we can, not as we can’t. Paul Detterman spends the vast majority of his time working with “wee kirks” (under 70 in worship). This session will equip and encourage even the smallest congregation (or small group within a larger community) to design and experience deep, joy-filled worship using everything God has given them and requiring nothing more.

A Gospel Medley: African-American And Beyond, Kenneth Wallace

Symposium on Worship Archive

The word “medley” has multiple layers of meaning; we can speak of a gospel medley of songs, then there is the fact that African Americans are themselves a medley of cultures, We will sing and reflect on the multiple meanings, experiences, techniques, and values offered in African American and other cultures and music.

What's New At Hymnary.Org, Harry Plantinga, Greg Scheer

Symposium on Worship Archive

Hymnary.org continues to grow. This year we received a grant from the NEH to incorporate the Dictionary of North American Hymnology into our database, have added information and page scans, are creating opportunities for hymn-related publishers, and have developed a beta version of a new search engine. New and seasoned users of Hymnary.org are invited to this session to hear about the latest developments and to provide feedback for future improvements.

Choreography For Worship, Shelley Marinus

Symposium on Worship Archive

A handout for note taking during the workshop to review the purpose of the dance as part of worship and review the basic elements needed for dance in worship, and choreography planning considerations.

Where Can I Find That Song? Researching Hymns Online–Greg Scheer, Greg Scheer

Symposium on Worship Archive

There are a few databases that will allow anyone to find sources of particular songs or hymns. The most established (still within the last few years) are geared toward historical hymns, but more recent databases are becoming more comprehensive and global in scope, even to providing sources of different versions/keys, ability to print a song, ideas for performance, etc. Come to learn about the current state of research.

The Hymnary is an online hymn and hymnal database that is collaboration between The Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW). The project actually began as …