31 March | Bracknell, UK [Lubica Mueller with tedNEWS)
From the dawn of creation, our purpose has been to worship — to respond to God’s self-revelation with every fibre of our being. It is a relational, whole-life response that has been woven into the very fabric of our existence. And though our mission, evangelism, and preaching will cease when Christ returns, worship will continue throughout eternity. As the creation’s response to God’s revelation, worship is a deeply personal experience that becomes both more thrilling and complex as we come together as a community in our unique context. Even as God’s presence and engagement with humanity remains constant, each of us must strive to respond to Him fully and meaningfully, bearing in mind the specific circumstances of our space, time, culture, and situation.
The ‘Worship & Music Leadership Training’ held at Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE) from Friday 5 May to Sabbath 13 May is designed to equip the participants for wrestling with precisely that issue. ‘It is an interesting dynamic to explore,’ says one of the course directors, Dr Tihomir Lazić, ‘Mapping the Scriptural foundation of worship and seeing it take shape in the context of the work of the Spirit among us, through us, and around us.’
As God is always context-sensitive, Lazić explains, the concrete forms of worship are unique to each story they accompany, drawing in all that we are – body, mind, and spirit. This, then results in deeply inspired, imaginative, inclusive, multi-sensory, meaningful worship that is transformative to participate in, beautiful and engaging to witness, and always diverse but never dividing.
Designed and delivered in collaboration with the leading specialists in the field from Andrews University (USA), the course focuses on essential tools for anyone interested in learning how to plan, organise and facilitate communal worship experiences in their local congregations – pastors, elders, worship leaders, musicians, and other people with a heart for this ministry. The training experience will include equal portions of theory and practice, thinking about the big questions and polishing the skills. ‘This will be an immersive learning experience, integrating the theoretical sessions to increase the understanding, practical workshops to apply the theory and refine the necessary skills, and first-hand worship observations offered through scheduled field trips,’ elaborates Lazić.
The selection of instructors, too, illustrates the balance between the universal and particular, global and local, as the participants will benefit from the expertise of both Dr Lazic – the resident ecclesiologist at Newbold, an experienced worship leader and musician himself – and Andrews University Associate Professor of Worship and Sacred Music, Dr David Williams. Accompanying him will be Dr Nick Zork, songwriter, worship Leader, and music director, and Isai Moran, experienced gospel pianist. They will be joined by familiar home-grown experts in music and worship, Ken Burton, Kärt Lazić, and Paul Lee.
When asked about the aspects of the course he would highlight, Lazić emphasises precisely that: ‘I am really excited about the wealth of experience our experts bring to the table. We are looking at people who have wrestled with these questions as theologians, historians, worship leaders, musicians, and composers in such diverse settings – from large international events across the globe to small local churches in different contexts.’ He continues: ‘We have really worked hard to make this course relevant and rounded, and I believe it will be an inspiring and enlightening experience for each participant, leading to similar experiences in their congregations.’
Launching on 5 May, participants can opt for a full 8-day training, or a shortened 2-day experience. The residential training is based on the Newbold College campus in Binfield, Berkshire.
• Further information about the course can be found at this link: https://www.newbold.ac.uk/academia/worship-leadership/
• An overview of the daily programme can be found at this link: https://www.newbold.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Worship-Music-Schedule-Final-.pdf
- Further information about the course can be found at this link:
https://www.newbold.ac.uk/academia/worship-leadership/
- An overview of the daily programme can be found at this link:
https://www.newbold.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Worship-Music-Schedule-Final-.pdf
Featured Image: Shutterstock
