Arts and Intercultural Worship (MA / PG Dip)

The All Nations MA in Arts and Intercultural Worship equips students to reflect on their creative practice with the arts in mission and ministry. The course deepens awareness of the biblical and cultural basis for the arts, and examines new approaches and cutting-edge developments in this discipline including emerging forms of intercultural worship.

Core Modules

These will equip you to study at Masters level through developing advanced study and research skills, establishing a robust theological and biblical basis for missional engagement and giving you a thorough grounding in the field of social and cultural anthropology.

Holistic Learning Foundations

Students are enabled to develop the study, research and reflective skills required to engage in the theological, missiological and research components of the programme. The module encourages the student to think in a holistic, integrated way about their studies and experience across disciplines, and to develop their skills as reflective practitioners and researchers, with a view to applying these throughout the programme.

Biblical and Theological Foundations for Mission

Provides students with biblical and theological foundations for the study of critical issues in mission, equipping them to apply ideas from the disciplines of biblical studies and theology to the options available within the programme. The module encourages students to engage with a broad range of theological perspectives, highlighting those from the majority world, and to become aware of issues of context, power and voice within the field.

Following a consideration of the missional nature of the Bible, it also explores select biblical themes and key texts with a view to enhance students’ biblical understanding of missiology. This enables them to make strong connections between their particular area of interest and its biblical rationale, and also to apply to their own relevant missional context.

Anthropological Foundations for Mission

Provides a theoretical foundation from the perspective of social and cultural anthropology, as well as other related disciplines, preparing you to understand and engage with issues which may arise in cross-cultural situations. The theories and issues covered are a necessary foundation to developing cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity to the complexities of living and working vocationally in, or with members of, other cultures. The module will also encourage reflection on experience, and may challenge previously held understandings of culture and mission practice.

Specialist Modules

These core modules are then built on by two elective modules.

Arts in Mission and Ministry

Develops the understanding of the arts in relation to worship, mission and ministry. There will be a special interest as to how the arts are important in the expression of Christian worship, formation and wider church ministry, as well as how artistic forms are important to Christian mission and can be used by local Christians to express their faith and identity in their culture. The module aims to deepen students understanding of the arts, worship, mission and ministry by providing Biblical foundations for the arts and worship, and exploring the role of the arts in relation to cultural and religious life. The module will equip you with the necessary skills to frame aspects of the Christian faith engaging the arts in a way which will communicate meaningfully in a wide range of contexts.

Intercultural Worship

The aim of this module is to deepen students understanding of both the theory and practice of intercultural worship. The module will draw specifically on the discipline of ‘Ethnodoxology’ and will enable students to analyse, critique and apply creative and relevant models for arts and worship practice. You will be given practical opportunities to explore worship, arts and liturgy from a variety of cultural backgrounds and examine how local art forms can be used to shape liturgy and worship for intercultural settings. Please note that this module cannot be accessed remotely but requires in person attendance, due to its practical nature.

Students will also have an opportunity to audit a third specialist module should they wish to do so from the range of MA modules.

PG Diploma students also complete either the Independent Study Module or Research in Mission: Strategies.

Master’s students then have the option of either:

1.Completing a written dissertation

Allowing students to undertake in-depth research on a specific topic related to Arts and Intercultural Worship through the writing of their dissertation (15,000 words). This provides the opportunity to engage deeply with a subject you are deeply committed to and facilitates the development of skills in research and fieldwork, supported by taught classes and regular interaction with an experienced supervisor.

OR

2. Completing a practice-based project

Providing the opportunity for students to engage in action research within their chosen subject area. It is designed to synthesise the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course and involves designing and implementing a project and presenting their findings through a project portfolio (7,500 words). This research process is supported by taught classes on research skills and regular interaction with an experienced supervisor.

Who is this course for?

Suitable if you are involved in, and committed to the use and development of diverse arts forms, including music in ministry and mission contexts. The All Nations Christian College MA in Arts and Intercultural Worship guarantees a rich, stimulating and transformative learning experience together with students from across the globe.