Worship Arts
Free
About this course
The Worship Arts program at Columbia is focused on preparing people for holistic worship ministry that impacts the world for God both artistically and pastorally. The program examines the philosophical, theological and cultural concerns of worship alongside the development of musical and artistic abilities. Students have the opportunity to explore a variety of artistic media including music, visual art, and drama all while focusing on the pastoral task of worship leadership and building a strong theological foundation.
Because we are a small school, worship arts students have ample opportunity to get involved serving on and even leading Columbia’s two weekly corporate worship services—Chapel and Vespers—or our Travelling Ministry Team that serves in local churches.
Diploma
The two year diploma program in Worship Arts includes core classes in theology, biblical studies, arts, culture, and the practice and pastoral task of worship leadership. Additionally, students will participate in skill development in the area of sound and media, music, and other art forms. Graduates from the diploma program have a sufficient theological and musical understanding to lead worship in churches and be grounded artists in the contemporary world.
Degree
The Bachelor degree program in Worship Arts builds on the foundation of the diploma program. Degree students will expand their biblical and theological knowledge and practice their artistic skill while further exploring how the theology of worship affects the pastoral practice of worship leading. Graduates from the degree program are well equipped to serve as Worship Pastors in a variety of church contexts, and are sought-after by local congregations. The Worship Arts degree maintains a very high employment rate. Many Columbia Worship Arts graduates have also gone on to pursue further theological training at the graduate and seminary level.
Each degree student at Columbia has the option to select a minor in a variety of fields. Typically, minors are chosen in a student’s third year of study and will inform the type of internship placement they choose. Learn more about available minors.
A Worship Arts minor will help those who are training toward pastoral ministry to understand the breadth of church ministry and consider the ways a church’s weekly worship service contributes to spiritual formation and community development. This minor could also be beneficial for students looking to understand their role as artists—in and out of the church. The minor is designed to be as flexible as possible, so while a student could pursue worship leadership through the minor, it is not necessary to be a musician to complete a Worship Arts minor.
Columbia offers both Worship Arts and non-Worship Arts students many opportunities to get involved on worship teams both on campus and off. Music ministries (Traveling Ministry Team, Chapel Teams, and Vespers) are audition-based. There is also opportunity to learn how to run sound and media for our Chapel and Vespers services.
Contact Stacey or Shar for more information about auditioning for a worship team, helping with sound and media, or hosting the Traveling Ministry Team!
Practical, hands-on experience is an integral part of education. That’s why Columbia requires all degree students to complete an internship in their third or fourth year. Worship Arts students have ample internship opportunities on campus and off. Many churches are actively looking for CBC students to be involved in their worship ministry. While most WA students choose to gain experience leading a worship team on campus or in a local church—students also have the option of working with an arts-based organization, or of serving in worship or music ministry overseas or at summer camps. The internship program is designed to apply program learning, providing a rich learning experience that focuses on skill development. For more information about Columbia’s internship program, including application forms and placement options, visit Service Learning.
Student Stories
Haeyoung K.
“I have grown in everything. I never used to have the opportunity to grow on myself before I came to CBC. Coming here, I started an amazing journey to find self-awareness with God. He showed me who he created me to be through growing my passion in worship and helping others find healing in brokenness. I grew in my leadership and learned that I am an artist and creator like God; I enjoyed creating the Global Connections Committee and the International Host position with him. I grew so much in my knowledge of God and the Bible, and the more I understood, the more I fell in love with Him and his words. I came here with a passion for worship and grew more in it as I continued to worship lead and learn about them in class practically; I was more sure that this was what I was created to do. I have grown spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. CBC was the perfect environment for me to try new things and search for myself with God; I grew in how to be more myself in how God has originally created me to be.”
Jon W.
“I am passionate about finding unity that celebrates our diversity, a common ground that I believe can only be found in the Gospel. As such I desire to find beauty in the things that make every person and group unique. This has created an interest in mediation, a field of study that I may pursue, or use in some way in the future. In the future, I would like to try working in a church, preferably in the arts, as well as pursue further education.“
This program does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training. As such, PTIB did not review this program.
Syllabus
Embrace an all-encompassing theology of worship and explore your creative gifts as you learn to lead people in glorifying God.
Heart & Soul 0/2
Mind & Worldview 0/3
Strength & Skills 0/2
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as yourself." -Jesus