word & way feature on mobap worship arts program

July 5, 2007

In the recent edition of the Word and Way, a newspaper serving Missouri Baptists, they featured the new Worship Arts program at Missouri Baptist University that I am heading up. The writer, Jennifer Harris, did a great job. Kudos!

As a side note, the Worship Arts article is right under an article on the Gospel, Church, and Culture seminar that was held at the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association building on June 28. As I mentioned, I attended that seminar and intend to do a detailed breakdown and personal reflections. It is coming, I promise. Here’s a nutshell: It was great!

Back to the issue at hand, the article on MoBap’s Worship Arts program wasn’t put on the Word and Way’s online presence, so I’ve transcribed it for you here:

MBU will launch worship arts program
by Jennifer Harris
Word & Way news writer

Missouri Baptist University is kicking off a worship arts program this fall that is designed to prepare worship leaders for service in the emerging or contemporary church.

Brad Andrews, a graduate of MBU’s church music program, will service as the program’s coordinator.

“I have a passion to reach the emerging generation,” he said. “My head and heart is in the emerging culture. I care about what they do.”

The cutting-edge program takes elements of the traditional church music program and combines it with audio-visual, video, drama, and theology.

Special designed upper level course include worship history and leadership, which will follow worship history through present-day; a worship arts workshop, where students will pull together worship sets or planning of a worship service; emerging trends in worship, which will focus on what is happening currently and a weekly seminar, featuring guest speakers talking about various aspects of worship ministry.

Andrews has served as worship arts pastor at Grace Church in St. Louis. At Grace - one of the largest churches in St. Louis with more than 3500 people in attendance - Andrews acted as the primary worship leader, oversaw a staff of 12 ministry professionals and served as creative director.

Andrews wants to expose students to people in the field, not just theorists. “I want this program to be helpful to them.”

He said the program is trying to close the gap between college and the real world. Andrews referred to himself as a different type of college person. “I’ve been in the church exclusively the last six years,” he said. “I’m the local church guy whom God blessed and put in those areas.”

Andrews is working with Sally Morgenthaler and Dan Wilt, leaders in the emerging worship movement, to design curriculum.

For more information on Andrews or the emerging generation, visit his blog at relevintage.com

Posted in education, emerging church, news, worship