Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Calvin Theological Seminary Courses

Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals and Other Occasional Services (PRTH 687):
A study of biblical, theological, and pastoral dimensions of celebrations of baptism, marriage, funerals, and other occasional services such as ordinations, dedications, and commissioning services. Details

Music and the Arts in Christian Worship (PRTH 677):
This course develops a guiding philosophy for worship and the arts and explores practical ways for incorporating the arts in worship. Includes discussions of architecture, music, visual arts, drama, dance and movement.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet

The Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry (PRTH 621):
The central thesis of this course is that strong pastoral identity is the key to sustaining pastoral excellence. Today's church has witnessed a breakdown of consensus regarding the role of the pastor. This course is a study of the theology and practice of pastoral ministry with a view to creatively and critically engaging changing views of the church and its ministry in our contemporary culture, and enhancing the practice of pastoral ministry. The course will integrate this theological understanding of pastoral ministry with the basic practices of pastoral ministry: worship, preaching, teaching, evangelism, pastoral care, and congregational leadership.
Instructors: Kathy Smith & Duane Kelderman
Offered Feb. 18-22, 2008 (Clifton, NJ) and June 2-6, 2008 (Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI)

Recent History of Christian Worship (PRTH 683):
A study of the forces and movements that have reshaped patterns of Christian worship in the past twenty-five years, with a particular focus on the ecumenical liturgical movement that arose out of Vatican II, the Charismatic movement, and new models for integrating worship and evangelism.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet
Course syllabus

Planning and Leading Worship for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost:
The Doctrine of Christ and the Services of the Christian Year (PRTH 681):
A study of how Christian worship both expresses and shapes our understanding of the life of Jesus Christ, with particular attention to how celebrations of Advent, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost reflect assumptions about the doctrines of incarnation, atonement, and ecclesiology.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet
Course syllabus

The History and Theology of Sung Prayer:
A survey for non-musicians of the ways Christians have sung their prayers in public worship throughout history. The course will include various approaches to singing psalms in worship as well as key movements in hymnody that both shaped and were shaped by theological issues of the day, including those in our own time. The emphasis will be on relating past practices to current worship planning and leadership.
Instructor: Emily Brink

Introduction to Christian Worship (PRTH 650):
A study of the theology, history, and practice of Christian corporate worship. The course emphasizes the development of skills for planning and leading worship in a variety of ministry settings, with particular attention to how worship practices both reflect and shape theological commitments.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet
Course syllabus

The Theology of Worship in the Reformed Tradition (PRTH 682):
A study of prominent theological writings from the Reformed tradition on the nature and purpose of public worship. The course will include study of documents by Zwingli, Calvin, Hodge, Nevin, Barth, and von Allmen, with an examination of how the enduring themes in these writings might be reflected in the practice of public worship in today's cultural environment.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet
Previous course description, syllabus, and summary

Theology and Practice of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (PRTH 684):
A study of the theology and practice of the Lord's Supper and Baptism, with discussions and implications for worship practice.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet

Planning and Leading Congregational Worship (PRTH 685):
A study of resources, skills, and strategies for planning and leading public worship services. Particular attention will be given to the interpretative reading of Scripture, congregational prayer, training lay worship leaders, and celebrations of baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet
Course description and syllabus

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Collaborative Research Seminar (PRTH 686):
Participation in collaborative research on the theology, history, and practice of Christian worship. Topics are chosen in conjunction with the scholarly initiatives of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Students work as part of a research team with faculty participants in Institute initiatives.
Instructor: John D. Witvliet