Master of Ministry in Music and Worship Leadership

The three-year 45-credit-hour programme is designed to train and mentor experienced music and/or worship ministry leaders in Asian contexts for effective spiritual and musical leadership, to be effective catalysts for the greater growth of God’s church.?

It is designed for experienced music and/or worship ministry leaders in Asian contexts who need to continue their current ministry as they study. They may be leaders in a local church, parachurch ministry, or community outreach centre.? They may be lay music/worship pastors, deacons, committee heads, choir conductors, church’s music school principals or teachers, who seek to provide spiritual and musical leadership in their ministries.? They may also be Bachelor of Church Music graduates who wish to update their knowledge and skills.

The programme is founded on biblical and theological principles and church history, with training in musical and leadership skills, for practical and spiritual ministry integration through group learning and individualized study.

Areas of Specialisation

Students can choose to major in:

  1. Ministry Leadership (for those who lead music and/or music ministries)
  2. Choral Leadership (for those lead the choir ministry)
  3. Worship Team Leadership (for those who lead worship teams)

Educational Methods

Classes will be offered online for international students. Singapore residents may opt to take the courses on-site, when offered.

Learning will be offered in various educational delivery methods:

  • 5 daily weeknight preparatory course
  • 6 and 8 weekly evening courses
  • 5 full day intensive courses
  • Guided studies
  • Supervised individual projects/recitals
  • Field education

Programme Length and Annual Commitment

The programme requires three years of study to complete from the time of admission.

Jul – Nov semester

Jan – May semester

Language

Worship and music courses will be in English. However, students may choose to take the Bible courses in English and Chinese.

Prerequisites for Programme Admission

Academic Requirements

  • Must be a worship/music ministry leader, choral conductor, or worship team leader for at least three years
  • Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or seminary, not necessarily in music
  • Must have a ministry team/choir/worship team under his/her leadership to fulfil some post-course assignments
  • Exhibit musical proficiency through entrance exam and audition recordings. The major-specific item in the entrance exam and audition recordings are as follows:
  • Exhibit proficiency in reading choral scores vertically and horizontally in staff notation and/or transcribe staff notation to number/solfege notation
  • Submit video recordings of (1) the applicant’s conducting performance of 2 contrasting choral pieces (10 minutes max for both); and (2) the applicant teaching a choral piece for the first time, preferably in English (10 minutes max)
  • Exhibit proficiency in sight singing/playing music in staff notation and, if needed, transcribing staff notation to number/solfege notation through an entrance exam
  • Submit video recordings of (1) the applicant singing or playing on a musical instrument 2 contrasting pieces (10 minutes max for both); and (2) the applicant leading a musical portion of a worship service, choir or band rehearsal, preferably in English (10 minutes max)
  • Exhibit proficiency in transcribing melody and chords from a given recording or a 4-part hymn score through an entrance exam.
  • Submit video recordings of (一) song: (1) a wide-angle view of the applicant leading the song in a worship team rehearsal (5 minutes max); and (2) a close-up view of the applicant’s actual leading the song in a worship service (5 minutes max)

General Requirements

  • At least 24 years of age
  • Baptised Christian for at least four years
  • Evidence of involvement and leadership in ministry
  • Evidence of call to ministry and leadership
  • Endorsement by church leadership or a mature Christian in the applicant’s current church/organization

English Language Minimum Requirements

  • TOEFL 69-70 (IBT) or
  • IELTS 5.5

毕业要求

  • Satisfactory completion of 45 credit hours as required in the programme
  • Meet the minimum grade point average as required
  • Faculty approval with regard to Christian character

Curriculum

CORE COURSES (30 credit hours)?

Course Title
Christian Worship Church Music Administration
Worship Design and Leadership Age-Specific Music Ministry Methods
Audiovisual Engagement Field Education I–VI
Congregational Song Old Testament Survey
Theology of Music and Creativity New Testament Survey
Emotional Health of a Church Musician Systematic Theology and Music
Spiritual Leadership

MINISTRY LEADERSHIP MAJOR COURSES (15 credit hours)?

Course Title
Survey of Music Ministries
Songwriting and Arrangement
Worship Team
Creative Arts Ministry
Worship Resources
Church Music Literature
Project I and II (choose two):
  1. Ministry Recital
  2. Special Service
  3. Congregational song service
  4. Curriculum (for ministry purposes)
  5. Other projects, as approved by the dean

CHORAL LEADERSHIP MAJOR COURSES (15 credit hours)?

Course Title
Score Study
Vocal and Choral Pedagogy
Rehearsal Techniques
Repertoire and Programming
Choral Literature I
Choral Literature II
Project I and II (choose two):
  1. Ministry recital
  2. Concert recital
  3. Hymn festival
  4. Service based on Asian choral music and art forms

WORSHIP TEAM LEADERSHIP MAJOR COURSES (15 credit hours)?

Course Title
Training Design
Worship Team Management
Rehearsal Leadership
Worship Team Arrangements I
Worship Team Arrangements II
Worship Team Arrangements III
Project I and II (choose two):
  1. Creative worship service
  2. Ministry recital
  3. Concert recital
  4. Curriculum for worship team
  5. Other projects, as approved by the dean

注解: Course offerings are subject to change.

新神的混成式学习模式

在新神,我们会采取混成式学习(blended learning)的模式,即兼用实体和在线的各种平台,来设计各式各样的同步与非同步学习活动,以此建立我们的群体。因此,学生将会从各类面对面与在线学习活动中,在新神体验到更丰富的学习。