Worship Ministry, BS
The Worship Ministry degree prepares students to serve God's people in the planning and leading of worship. Theology, ministry, music, and theatre come together in this interdisciplinary degree to equip leaders for the broad demands of contemporary worship. Proficiency in ministry arts (music and theatre) serves the theological commitment that worship is a primary place where Christian belief and practice is formed. We provide experience through Rochester University student worship ensembles (both full band and acapella) and internships with congregations. Outcomes for those who pursue this degree include worship ministry in a local congregation and/or para-church ministries that emphasize music or theatre.
Program Learning Outcomes
The following learning outcomes are linked to assignments and activities throughout this program:
- Graduates of the WM program lead communities in the understanding and use of Scripture.
- Students ground their life and ministry in Scripture through spiritual disciplines related to Scripture.
- Students interpret Scripture, demonstrating skill in biblical exegesis.
- Students present biblical content to others clearly in both writing and oral forms.
- Students develop a biblically informed understanding of worship.
- Graduates of WM believe that ministry proceeds from a God-centered identity and calling.
- Students evaluate the sources that comprise calling/vocation in Christian ministry.
- Students engage practices that cultivate God-centered identity and can pass on these practices to others.
- Graduates of WM lead groups in discerning and joining the work of God in the world.
- Students articulate a theology of ministry rooted in the realities of the Triune God.
- Students distinguish various approaches to congregational change and select the appropriate form of leadership suited to a specific presenting challenge.
- Students conceive theological discernment as a collaborative activity that takes place both in Christian community and the world.
- Students choose musical resources that prioritize congregational participation over musicianship.
- Graduates of WM understand congregations (or communities of faith) from a variety of perspectives (theological, sociological, anthropological).
- Students utilize tools of cultural discovery that disclose meanings in congregational life.
- Students recognize and evaluate the uniqueness of each congregation’s context and its potential as a theological source.
- Students demonstrate application of biblical and theological definitions of the congregation and their implications for worship leadership.
- Students identify practices of meaning-making within worshiping communities.
- Graduates of WM know the importance of the broad themes of the Christian story for contemporary faith communities.
- Students assess local or congregational practices in light of the historical and global meanings of the faith.
- Students identify their own ecclesial tradition within the broad historical/theological Christian tradition.
- Students discover strengths in other ecclesial/theological traditions and religions, critically appropriating beliefs and practices where appropriate.
- Graduates of WM build ministry practice around the conviction that God is living and active in the world.
- Students develop new ministry understandings as they experience context other than their own.
- Students construct theological understandings as they encounter beliefs and values of others.
- Students discover the effectiveness of finding community partners for collaboration in relation to the coming Kingdom of God.
- Graduates of WM will develop musicianship for worship ministers, including reading, performing, active listening, and functional ability in keyboard and technology.
Requirements for the BS in Worship Ministry
General Education Core 38 hours
In the Theological Literacy area of general education, Bible/ministry majors must take REL 1002, REL 1013, and MIN 2513. PSY 2013 is required in the Social and Behavioral Science area. MUS 1203 Music Foundations satisfies the Fine Arts Appreciation requirement.
Ministry Core 46 hours
Arts Core 15 hours
Students who wish to pursue this degree plan must audition to show sufficient musical talent and aptitude for leading worship. Requirements include above-average skill in singing and/or leading while playing a keyboard or guitar.
The following courses are co-requisites and must be taken together: MUS 1203 and MUS 1041.
Electives 21 hours
Total Credit Hours: 120