Date

5-23-2025

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Worship Studies (DWS)

Chair

Jerry L. Newman

Keywords

worship leader, training, education, church music, worship preparation, worship ministry

Disciplines

Christianity | Music

Abstract

Despite the gradual transition of “music minister” into “worship leader,” preparation and training for the expanded roles may be considered slow in terms of total responsibilities. While degree programs have incorporated in-depth coursework in essential ministry topics – such as theology, discipleship, and evangelism – there has been little recognition of their roles as managers and counselors. Many of these programs prepare students for jobs that no longer exist. This study focuses on the worship leader, both as a student and as one who has already started their career, with responsibilities in the church and to their family. Through qualitative historical research, this study examines some of the academic programs that address initial worship leader training. It specifically examines worship studies and sacred music programs to identify specific modifications needed to prepare for worship leader positions as they are currently constituted. Additionally, this study provides a suggested curriculum for comprehensive worship leader training; worship leaders who have already begun their careers can use this curriculum to identify the training they may be missing. To determine these needs, this study compares the worship leader roles identified in earlier studies with the publicly available descriptions of academic programs currently offered for worship leader education. This training prepares the worship leader for the entirety of their current ministry, as well as the possibility of transitioning to another area of ministry should circumstances dictate.

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