Course One: Thinking Theologically: Reflections on Worship & Justice
Foundations course purposed to introduce, re-orientate thinking around justice-minded worship leading; survey of scripture and how justice is addressed; students develop a strong philosophy of justice-minded worship leading/planning

Learning Partner:
Dr. Alisha Lola Jones
Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology at Indiana University specializing in the study of music and religion in the African Diaspora.
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Online Classroom opened Monday, October 17, 2016-November 28, 2016
Participating learners must post a minimum of three times weekly
(3 different days out of 7-day week)
Evaluation:
15 successful posts and/or submissions in e-folio (over the five weeks)

Course Two: Leading Intentionally: Congregational Engagement & Ethical Worship Leadership
Understanding the responsibility and role of the congregation in worship; survey of African and African American hymnody and congregational song; congregational singing as a vehicle of spiritual formation; how to plan and lead congregational singing that is transformative; hospitable worship leadership and being aware of who is (and isn't) in the room;

Learning Partners:
Dr. Anthony Leach
Professor of music and music education at Penn State University.

Dr. Eric Wall
Assistant Professor of Sacred Music and Dean of the Chapel at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Online Classroom opens Monday, January 23, 2017-February 27, 2017

Participating learners must post a minimum of three times weekly

(3 different days out of 7-day week)

Course Three: Planning Effectively: Christ, Calendar and Culture
Survey of the Christian Calendar Year through the lens of justice; practical ways of renewing banner-day celebrations in the life of the church universal and the church local; talking through the tensions of civic, Christ and church (local) calendars; effective long-range worship planning and worship education strategies that help transform congregations into engaged communities beyond the corporate event of worship; survey of the Nairobi Statement of Worship & Culture

Learning Partner:
Rev. Joshua L. Lazard

Rev. Lazard is a writer, ordained minister and public intellectual, who offers engaging social and theological commentary that provides a provocative cultural critical awareness. This allows him the opportunity to preach and teach in numerous educational and ecclesiastical spaces.

Online Classroom opens Monday, March 27, 2017-May 8, 2017

Participating learners must post a minimum of three times weekly
(3 different days out of 7-day week)

Evaluation:
15 successful posts and/or submissions in e-folio (over the five weeks)

Course Four: Consecrated Being: The Witness of Justice in the Sacraments
This course is purposed to explore visions of Baptism and Holy Communion as paradigms for just living in the world. Learners and Learning Partners will explore the biblical texts and historical practices that provide windows for experiencing the sacramental actions as models for expressing justice, unity, identity and community in the world. The Sacraments are more than just liturgical actions. They hold patterns of living that enable us to see justice as the mandated, on-going work of God in the world.

A required face-to-face this intensive during the summer brings all components of the certificate program into conversation; daily conversation circles of learning and academic engagement; intentional time for community-building among learners; time for learners to go into churches in the area to observe and possibly implement new knowledge; guest learning partners to come in lead some components of learning/engagement; at end of the experience learners present their program projects that demonstrate the competencies gained in their learning in the program.

This course will meet in Atlanta, September 14 through September 17.