This module will assist the learner to appreciate the importance of taking the cultural context of the modern church seriously. It will explore biblical content referring to worship, the history of worship in the Church, and various current perspectives on worship. It will identify the varieties of worship in ancient Israel, in the New Testament churches, in the church throughout history, and in various modern cultural contexts. Learners will be introduced to emerging forms of worship in a variety of traditions and they will develop their own theology of worship, as well as gaining skill in developing worship for an emerging culture in their own contexts. Learners will learn to reflect theologically on the essential elements of Christian worship and on their capacity to shape faith communities and engage culture. The module will include a strong practical component, offering principles, methods, and skills for both the design and leadership of worship.

On successful completion of the module a learner will be able to:

1. Describe the biblical and theological foundations for the practice of leitourgia in the local church.
2. Articulate a deepened sense of reverence, purpose, and passion in his or her commitment to the worship of God in the church.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of historic traditions and terms that inform and shape the church's worship throughout history.
4. Demonstrate an ecumenical appreciation of the rich varieties of worship that characterize the living church today.
5. Discern the qualities of worship that are most faithful to the gospel and most useful in shaping the local church community.
6. Develop practical skills in the effective pastoral planning and leadership of worship.
7. Propose a personal theology of worship.
8. Employ practical theological research methodology to identify a specific pastoral concern.
9. Design and implement a practical theological intervention to address a particular pastoral concern

Module Content

The aim of this module is to help learners develop proficiency in their understanding of worship in the life of the believer and the community of faith and the nature of worship as a central Christian act of celebration and identity formation. Van Leeuwen has said that those who grasp the the little finger of liturgics will find that they have taken the whole hand of theology (Doxology).

The module starts with a brief overview of liturgical traditions within Christianity. This serves to introduce the learner to the diversity within Christianity while at the same time providing a succinct comment on the nature of worship. The module traces the development of worship in the different periods of the Hebrew people while at the same time looking at the various offerings and rituals. Special attention is given to the priestly role in the Old Testament. The focus shifts to a Pauline perspective on worship. Here the learner is introduced to the tension between order and chaos in liturgy and the role of freedom in worship.

Christian worship is traced from its roots in Judaism and into the first few centuries through to the contemporary western context. The module is designed to introduce the learner to these expressions of worship but also to understand the changes and developments that have taken place. It will also show the learner various liturgical treasures we have lost, and will point to some that have been retained but may be ignored or under-appreciated by the contemporary church.

Learners will explore the relationship of the Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit to aspects of worship, examining the mutual influence of theological concepts and experience of God in Worship. They should be able to draw upon a knowledge of the doctrine of God as it has been developed in scripture, traditional formulations and modern thought. Learners will examine the place of public and personal worship in the life of the Church; ways in which worship relates to the whole life of the Church and its mission in the world; rites of the Church related to people and their needs; non-verbal aspects, such as time and space, architecture and art; and cultural factors that affect our understanding and practice of worship. They will also be helped to identify insights into worship and prayer gained from other disciplines, especially the human sciences.

In exploring worship which addresses and engages the emerging culture, the learner will identify some of the great changes and movements as primitive Christianity and post-modern realities converse to produce new expression of awe and wonder. In this context, learners will explore the changing role of the pastor, such as described as the move from sole-visionary to curator, as a co-artist, worship crafter; and fellow pilgrim with their congregation as all move deeper into the mystery that is God. Modern and post-modern approaches to worship are examined, with special attention given to the demands of the visual age on Christian worship. Learners will be required to articulate the nature of these demands while being able to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of liturgical renewal.