Master of Arts Worship and Leadership
MWL General Description
The Master of Arts in Worship and Leadership degree program offers practical training needed for growing and developing as a practitioner of worship and leadership. Robust theological, worship and leadership training provide a platform for students to engage in an equipping process whereby skills needed for congregational shepherding and healthy leadership are discovered, combined, nurtured and enriched.
This type of degree is called “a collaborative discipline degree” in that two areas of study [disciplines] are combined into one unique experience for the purpose of uniquely equipping the student as a professional practitioner – in two strategic but related areas.
These two disciplines combine for the purpose of uniquely equipping students for a specific job or task in either the church, para-church and various business communities. The experience in worship and leadership also serves as a tool for training and equipping of worship leaders as practitioners in two strategic areas.
The degree features a complete and balanced educational experience in worship, including: worship in the old and new testament; history, theology and practical application of worship; spiritual formation; and contemporary issues in worship.
The degree features a complete and equally balanced educational experience in leadership, including courses in: personal leadership development; organizational culture and change; strategic thinking; conflict management; leading and building team; and leadership contextualization.
Considered a “market driven worship degree,” the program is designed to respond to the two strategic needs in the local church: 1) Equip part-time, bi-vocational worship pastors in areas of worship theology and principles for leadership; and, 2) Equip full-time vocational pastors already schooled in music in areas needed for part-time lay and/or full-time vocation in the various communities needed for leadership accountability (including the church and para-church organizations).
MWL Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Worship and Leadership should be able to:
- Formulate a Biblical and Theological philosophy of worship
- Evaluate the ministry needs in a worship ministry
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a balanced worship ministry
- Relate Principles of Organizational Leadership to best worship practices
Curriculum Requirements
Core Courses
| MWL 5000 | Worship Ministry Dynamics and Relationships | 3 |
| MWL 5010 | Worship in the Old and New Testaments | 3 |
| MWL 5020 | History of Worship in the Christian Church | 3 |
| MWL 5030 | Theology of Christian Worship | 3 |
| MWL 5201 | Spiritual Formation of the Worship Leader | 3 |
| MWL 6070 | Worship Leadership and Contextualization | 3 |
| MWL 6080 | Church Leadership and Contemporary Issues in Worship | 3 |
| MOL 5010 | Personal Leadership Development | 3 |
| MOL 5105 | Organizational Culture and Change | 3 |
| MOL 5130 | Strategic Thinking | 3 |
| MOL 5150 | Conflict Management and Negotiation | 3 |
| MOL 5300 | Leading and Building Teams | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |