Details for Worship in Contemporary Context

The unique nature and prominance of contemporary worship music in today's churches (especially Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations) is worthy of study.  It is a phenomenon that has accompanied the emergence of megachurches, created a substantial sub-genre of the popular music industry, crossed cultural and language barriers, as well as impacting the global Christian church.  It is certainly necessary to understand what is going on, but equally important, to assess its theological, historical, sociological, ecclesial and musical implications.

Awards offering Worship in Contemporary Context

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Applied Social Science
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
• Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Ministry
• Bachelor of Ministry
• Diploma of Arts
• Undergraduate Certificate in Arts
• Undergraduate Certificate in Christian Music

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit provides a focus on contemporary worship practices, especially those involving musical worship.

Outcomes

1. Compare contemporary expressions of worship over the past 50 years;
2. Analyse the influence of secular music on contemporary worship expressions;
3. Explain the Theomusicological frameworks through which contemporary worship forms can be discussed;
4. Formulate a personal conviction about the ideal nature of worship’s expressions in a contemporary context;
5. Summarise the connections between denominations, culture, environment, historical context and their expressions of worship.

Subject Content

1. Contemporary worship expressions
2. Denominations, movements and their ‘sound’
3. Aligning contemporary expressions of worship with Biblical foundations
4. Secular influences on church worship
5. Frameworks for Theomusicological analysis of contemporary worship
    

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face to Face (onsite)
• Distance/E-learning (online)
• Intensive (One week: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 85 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks)

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Quiz (10%)
• Debate (10%)
• Oral Presentation (20%)
• Major Essay (50%)
• Forum Postings (10%)

Prescribed Text

• Primary readings provided