Liturgy and Worship (DL9741Z)

Postgraduate, 18.0 points

Content

The unit will enable the student to have a critical awareness of the nature of Christian worship, its theology, history, practice and emerging trends. The unit will discuss the role ritual plays in faith development and meaning making, the transforming function of worship and the development of diverse liturgical practice to date. An emphasis is placed upon the practical and creative skills needed for leadership of worship in a local church.

Unit code: DL9741Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate the historical, theological and biblical foundations of Christian worship

2.

Critically evaluate the importance of the church year, distinct components and flow of an order of worship
3.

Craft and deliver liturgical material for selected worship settings
4.

Critically examine issues pertaining to the practice of contemporary worship

Unit sequence

Postgrad elective unit

Pedagogy

UCLT uses primary and secondary sources considered through different lenses to identify and explore the challenges of the unit material for the contemporary world. Students are engaged in a range of comparative, analytical and reflective practices to consider the theory and practice of liturgy and worship.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bradshaw, Paul F and Maxwell E. Johnson. The Origins of Feasts, Fasts, and Seasons in Early Christianity (Alcuin Club Collections). Liturgical Press, 2011.
  • Bracken Long, Kimberly. The Worshipping Body: The Art of Leading Worship. Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.
  • Burns, Stephen. Worship and Ministry: Shaped Towards God. Wipf & Stock, 2012.
  • Chittister, Joan. The Liturgical Year: The Spiralling Adventure of the Spiritual Life - The Ancient Practices. Thomas Nelson, 2009.
  • Couchman, Adam. Liturgia Dei. Pickwick Publications, 2025.
  • Douglas, Sally. Rewilding Prayer: God Beyond Genders, Faith Beyond Formulas. Cascade Books, 2025.
  • Duck, Ruth C. Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital Worship for the 21st Century. Westminster John Knox Press, 2013.
  • Hickman, Hoyt L, Don E. Saliers, James F. White. New Handbook of the Christian Year. Abingdon Press, 1992.
  • Lutheran World Federation. The Nairobi Statement on Worship and Culture in Christian Worship: Unity in Cultural Diversity. Lutheran World Federation, 1996.
  • Saliers, Don E. Worship as Theology. Foretaste of Glory Divine. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1994.
  • Saliers, Don. Music and Theology (Horizons in Theology). Abingdon Press, 2007.
  • Schmidt, Katherine G. Virtual Communion: Theology of the Internet and the Catholic Sacramental Imagination. Fortress Academic, 2020.
  • White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship Third Edition: Revised and Expanded United Methodist Publishing House, 2001.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio 6000 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 15 Apr, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-04-15 09:49:51 +1000