King's has just launched a new double module (20 credits) entitled Theology of Worship, which is a new elective forming part of the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) programme for those interested in studying this subject as part of their Theology degree. This module, which is useful for those involved (or who would like to be involved) in worship, for example, pastors and worship leaders, together with all those interested in the subject of worship across the wider church, as with all other King's modules is delivered fully online. 

Thus not only does this module provide fully accredited access to a subject not often covered in colleges and universities (most worship courses tend to be delivered by unaccredited schools and church programmes), it also offers the flexibility of distance study via the Internet. So why study worship as part of a Theology degree? Module leader Chris Lazenby explains:

Of course, a study of worship may be of academic and practical use as part of your degree, even if you don't have musical gifts (though these would be helpful for later modules we're considering). There is much more to worship than music in church on Sundays! A good background in the study of worship can help to tie up many 'loose ends' in your theological education, connecting much theoretical work to a practical outworking of theological truth within God's worshipping community. 

Aside from his own theological studies, Chris has been a professional musician most of his working life, working in both live stage work and studio recording, mostly in the secular world, but often with Christian music. Despite 30 or so years of recording, including work in television and radio, he served as organist and choirmaster in his local Anglican parish church for a number of years. Yet Chris points out how his "experience in worship has not been confined to the more 'formal' setting, using liturgy and traditional music", going on to explain how "although I trained to be a 'classical' musician, my love of jazz and pop music as a teenager led me into a lifetime in that direction, so I've often been called on to work with and play modern worship music."

This first module will examine questions such as: What is worship? What has been the influence on worship of early creedal statements?  What are the arguments for and against liturgy and ritual?  What have been the effects of the great Reformation, differences between denominations and cultures? It also looks at worship and the arts in general. Meanwhile, subject to demand King's is exploring two further modules in the subject, history of worship and a practical worship module.

Learn more about King's B.Th. programme 
(includes a module descriptor for the new Theology of Worship module)