Worship 3.0 (DL9040W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit considers the various theological foundations and lived practices of worship and liturgy in a changing cultural context. The unit looks at recent and broader developments in liturgical theology and relates themes to current worship practices in Baptist and evangelical churches. Its focus is on responsible embodiment of faith practices and rituals, alongside understanding the tension between ecclesial/religious paradigms and the various functions of liturgy and worship in community growth and learning.

Unit code: DL9040W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Examine the biblical, historical and practical-theological roots of worship and liturgy and demonstrate the ability to integrate these perspectives
2.

Describe and critically analyse the different functions of worship and liturgy in a post-modern context
3.

Demonstrate an informed approach to a reflective worship practice that takes into account the various functions of worship both within and beyond a faith community
4.

Articulate the core characteristics of contemporary worship practice in Baptist communities, whilst being sensitive to its roots in ecclesial and/or religious practices
5.

Research and evaluate a specific worship practice and subject this minor research project to deepened theological reflection

Unit sequence

This unit is an elective Theology: Mission and Ministry unit, in the discipline of Liturgy. It is building on the skills and learnings introduced in foundational units Field B, D & C. Students will be expected to have at least 3 units of foundational study before they extend their specific studies with this unit.

Pedagogy

This unit encourages students to engage theologically and critically with the complexities and opportunities of modern worship and liturgy. Students will work with a focused and guided literature review, develop specific worship matrices that can be used in practice and reflect on recorded digital worship resources

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bradshaw, P. The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship: Sources and Methods for the Study of Early Liturgy. Oxford: OUP, 2002.
  • Cherry, C. The Worship Architect: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010.
  • Chilton, B. Redeeming Time: The Wisdom of Ancient Jewish and Christian Festal calendars. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.
  • Ellis, C. Gathering: A Spirituality and Theology of Worship in Free Church Tradition. London: SCM, 2004.
  • Hughes, G. Worship As Meaning. A liturgical Theology for Late Modernity. Cambridge: CUP 2003.
  • Hurtado, L. At the Origins of Christian Worship. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000.
  • Maag, K & J.D. Witvliet, Worship in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Change and Continuity in Religious Practice. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2004.
  • Rathe, A. Evangelicals, Worship and Participation: Taking a Twenty-First Century Reading. Farnham: Ashgate, 2014.
  • Stringer, M. A Sociological History of Christian Worship. Cambridge: CUP, 2005.
  • Wainwright, G. The Oxford History of Christian Worship: Oxford: OUP, 2005.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Report (2000 words)

 2000 25.0
Essay

Essay (3,500 words)

 3500 50.0
Portfolio

Portfolio (2000 words)

 2000 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 17 Oct, 2018

Unit record last updated: 2019-07-01 08:45:04 +1000