Christian Liturgy and Church Rites (DP9076L)

Postgraduate, 18.0 points

Content

The unit will enable students to develop a critical awareness of the nature of Christian worship: its scriptural foundations, historical origins, ritual order, theological function, practices and emerging trends. Students will also research the practical and creative skills needed for preparing and coordinating public worship, leading orders of worship in the context of congregational life in a local church, and the contextual issues involved in the enactment of church rites in a ministry context.

Unit code: DP9076L

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically review the scriptural, historical, ritual, theological and cultural foundations of Christian worship
2.

Critique their own inherited/tradition-specific worship practices
3.

Critically analyse the structure and constitutive elements of the various liturgies and church rites
4.

Reflect theologically and pastorally on the responsibilities associated with the enactment of the church’s rites (baptism, confirmation, marriage, and funeral)
5.

Evaluate liturgical resources for the preparation, coordination, and leading of public worship in a local context

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 9 unit in postgraduate theology and ministry courses

Pedagogy

This unit is underpinned by teaching practices and strategies (e.g. engagement with online learning materials, audio/video, tasks, tutorials, and individual research) which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bradshaw, Paul F. Early Christian worship: a basic introduction to ideas and practice. 2nd ed. London: SPCK, 2010.
  • Cooper, Jordan. Liturgical Worship: A Lutheran Introduction. Watseka, IL: Just & Sinner Publishing House, 2018.
  • Day, Juliette, and Benjamin Gordon-Taylor, eds. The study of liturgy and worship: an Alcuin guide. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2013.
  • Just, A.A. Heaven on earth: the gifts of Christ in the divine service. St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2008.
  • Lutheran Church of Australia. Commission on Worship. Church rites. Edited by David A. Schubert. Adelaide, SA: Openbook Publishers, 1994.
  • Monro, Anita, and Stephen Burns. Christian Worship in Australia: Inculturating the Liturgical Tradition. Strathfield, N.S.W.: St Pauls Publications, 2009.
  • Ramshaw, Gail. Christian Worship: 100,000 Sundays of Symbols and Rituals. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2009.
  • Senn, Frank. Introduction to Christian Liturgy. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2012.
  • Lathrop, Gordon. Central things: worship in word and sacrament. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2005.
  • Vasconcelos Wilkey, Glaucia, ed. Worship and Culture: Foreign Country or Homeland?. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio

Liturgical planning exercise

 1400 25.0
Essay

A study of the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship in a chosen ecclesial community

 2200 40.0
Investigation

An examination of the interplay of theology, liturgy, and culture

 1900 35.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 9 Oct, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-10-09 13:14:31 +1100