ePLACE: preserving, learning, and creative exchange
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure the cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral changes in students concerning formissional worship as a result of a Master of Ministry class at Mount Vernon Nazarene University entitled Christian Worship. The scriptural foundation was the Shema (Deut. 6:4-5), quoted by Jesus in the Greatest Commandment (Matt. 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31). The curricular outline was worship as invitation, revelation, participation, formation, contextualization, incarnation, and integration. The instruments used to gather data from the students were two surveys and an online threaded discussion by the students during class. The surveys framed the class as a pre- and posttest, while the process element of the weekly postings was embedded between.
The research indicated a renewed awareness among the students of God’s divine initiative in worship. Keeping God’s word central was found to form worship leader and worshiper alike in preparation for, presentation of, and participation in communal worship. The participants affirmed that God’s mission is realized as Spirit-filled leaders embody missional worship, moving outward from God’s altar. The belief that through this inside out movement, each church speaks into a particular context was strengthened over the course of the class. The respondents endorsed more strongly that the integration of worship, mission, and spiritual formation leads the disciple to a lifestyle of formissional worship.https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/1561/thumbnail.jp
