Julie's Worship Studies
Julie’s Progress at The Institute for Worship Studies
January 2011
As most of you know, I am in the thesis phase of a 3-year program leading to a Doctorate in Worship Studies. My goal is to graduate in June of this year.
My thesis title is “Educating Worship Leaders to a Discipleship Culture at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans, West Virginia.” The main focus of the applied part of my thesis project is to help St. Andrew worship leaders understand and embrace an “I want to serve” (discipleship culture) as opposed to an “I want to be served” (membership culture) mentality so, as worship leaders, we can model what the church is meant to be – a body of Christ growing in their discipleship and leading others to be disciples of Jesus Christ. The following subjects will be discussed in small group settings led by lay leaders:
Week of January 16: Discipleship – Ephesians 4:11-16
Week of January 23: Quadrilateral – 1 Cor.10-11
Week of January 30: Spirituality – Micah 6:6-8
Week of February 6: Leadership – John 13:12-17
The participants in the applied part of my thesis project are limited to people in the Worship Arts area. An amazing number of people serve in this area – specifically 141. Here are the groups that will be involved in my thesis project – and I consider them all to be worship leaders.
Acolytes
God’s Followers
One In the Spirit
Altar Guild
St. Andrew Ringers
St. Andrew Quilters
Chancel Choir
Hearts on Fire
Sound Board Operators
Children’s Moments
Liturgical Dancers
Ushers
Faith in Action
Liturgists
Worship Arts Committee
The people involved in these ministries may not consider themselves worship leaders but everything they do to help worshipers connect with God in worship - from smiling at a person while handing them a bulletin, to making beautiful coverings for the Communion table which honor our risen Lord, to reading scripture with conviction, and the list goes on and on – helps elevate worship to a very important weekly gathering of the disciples of Jesus called St. Andrew.
Peace – Julie Janisch, Director of Worship Arts
