Certificate in Worship Leadership

Institute Renaming

The Certificate in Worship Leadership at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary is an eight-month course of study–September 25, 2017 through May 20, 2018–designed to engage learners in a historical, theological, and practical exploration of the convergence of worship and justice.

Under the direction of internationally known musician and worship director, Dr. Tony McNeill, the program is open to church musicians, clergy, lay leaders, performing and visual artists, seminarians, and justice-seekers of all backgrounds and levels of experience 21-years-old and older. No prior seminary training is required. Payment for the program is based on a sliding scale according to the size of the participant’s congregation.

The program aims to

equip learners to think about the theological and practical implications of their worship practices.
explore congregational worship as a catalyst for empowering communities to live justly.
recover the cultural and spiritual value of lament
discuss the role of hymnody and survey mainline hymnals, particularly those rooted in the African-American tradition.
explore the use of various liturgical art forms to inspire just-behavior.
examine the cross section of secular culture and congregational life.

The program is organized into four distinct online modules: (1) Thinking Theologically–Reflections on Worship and Justice; (2) Leading Intentionally–Congregational Engagement and Ethical Leadership; (3) Planning Effectively–Christ, Calendar, and Culture; (4) Being the Beloved Community–the Witness of Justice in the Sacraments. Learners are required to take a mandatory two-day online orientation at the beginning of the program. Opportunities for face-to-face gatherings will be offered periodically but are not mandatory.

Learning partners (faculty) for the program are:

Rev. Dr. Alisha Lola Jones, Professor of Ethnomusicology at Indiana University
Rev. Dr. Kimberly Bracken Long, Retired Associate Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA
Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, Faith Work Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force
Rev. Don Darius Butler, Pastor of Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Prof. Eric Wall, Dean of the Chapel at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, Austin, TX
Dr. Tony Leach, Professor of Music Education at Penn State University
Dr. Leo Davis, the Minister of Music at Mississippi Boulevard Church in Memphis, TN.
Prof. Paul Vasile, a freelance church musician, consultant, and composer based in New York City
Dr. Thomas Dixon Tyler, Minister of Worship, Evangelism and Discipleship at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington DC

The Certificate in Worship Leadership is the flagship program of JCSTS’ Institute of Worship, Preaching, and Sacred Arts which offers premier learning opportunities where clergy, liturgists, musicians, scholars, and lay people can explore the intersectionality of faith and justice through the historic lens of the African-American religious experience.

Institute Renaming

During a sacred ceremony on Sunday, September 17, 2017, 4:00 p.m. EDT, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary renamed one of its core programs after the venerable Melva Wilson Costen, Ph.D. The ceremony was held at New Life Presbyterian Church, College Park, GA 30349.

The new 'Melva W. Costen Institute of Worship, Preaching, and Sacred Arts' at Johnson C. Smith Seminary offers premier learning opportunities for persons interested in the distinguishing and historic practices of the African-American religious experience. The Institute is creating a collaborative learning environment where clergy, liturgists, musicians, scholars, and lay people of all races and backgrounds can refresh their understanding of Reformed worship; expand their liturgical, homiletical, and musical repertoires; and explore the intersectionality of worship and justice. The Institute also will graduate its first class of certificate students during this same September 17th ceremony.

Dr. Melva W. Costen is a renowned scholar of African American church music and worship. She has published numerous books and articles on the subject. She is widely recognized for providing a lifetime of educational and artistic leadership in church music, liturgy, and curriculum development, with a particular emphasis on African-American congregational song. Dr. Costen has been a trusted advisor to untold hundreds of church musicians, organists, pastors and church leaders throughout the United States and across the globe.

Dr. Costen holds degrees from Johnson C. Smith University, University of North Carolina, and Georgia State University. She holds two honorary degrees – one of which comes from a university where she was refused admission because of the time’s racial tensions. She is Helmar Emil Nielsen Professor Emeritus of Worship and Music at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She was also Visiting Professor of Liturgical Studies at the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale Divinity School. She chaired the committee that produced the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and served on the Advisory Committee for the African American Heritage Hymnal. She is the author of In Spirit and in Truth: Music in African American Worship, African American Christian Worship, A Workshop Manual on Worship, The Black Christian Worship Experience and numerous articles in journals and edited volumes.

Dr. Costen’s work and leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, alongside her late husband, Dr. James Costen, brought great hope and inspiration to many, especially those in the African American community. She and her husband have been in concert over the years in their ministries and strong advocates for African American investment in African American education.

Dr. Costen is mother, grandmother, great grandmother – matriarch and griot – a true leader in her family.

Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary is one of 12 seminaries affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the only one that is historically African-American. The mission of the seminary is to advance communities of faith, justice, and compassion through innovation in theological education. Today, JCSTS offers certificate-based programs focused on faith, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and provides affordable educational opportunities for Christian leaders seeking to retool their skills for today’s contexts.