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Asbury announces NEW degree track

Asbury Theological Seminary is excited to announce a new specialized worship ministries track to the Christian Ministries degree. Asbury recognized the need for a specialized worship ministry track to address the changing focus on worship in today’s churches and ministry opportunities. More churches have staff positions with titles such as “minister of worship” or “minister of worship and the arts,” creating a heightened interest in worship studies. Applications are now being accepted for this newly created degree track.

The worship ministries track beginning this fall is part of Asbury Seminary’s Master of Arts in Christian Ministries degree program, designed to prepare women and men for competent leadership in specialized ministries in their faith communities. Students in this program are required to take 60 hours of coursework, with 18 hours of core courses, 18 hours of general electives and 24 hours earned in their specialized ministry track.

Dr. Lester Ruth, Lily May Jarvis Professor of Christian Worship states, “I like the way the track combines a solid core of courses in worship and Christian arts with the opportunity to take classes in a range of related areas. In this way, the seminary provides a way to build a theological and pastoral foundation for approaching worship while allowing the flexibility for students to address their own sense of specialized worship interest.”

The worship ministries track was designed for students such as Matt Sigler, who began his studies at Asbury Seminary in 2002 after serving as a worship pastor in a local United Methodist church. “I wanted to come to Asbury because I felt a strong call to be a part of this community,” said Sigler, who recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries. “But I really wanted to get a degree in worship arts and Asbury was not offering a degree in that area at the time.”

The seminary allowed Sigler to substitute coursework and incorporate independent studies to emphasize worship.

“In my three years here at Asbury, I was able to focus the majority of my coursework in liturgical studies, and I cannot say enough how amazing and incredible it has been,” Sigler said.

The creation of the worship ministries track makes it easier for students such as Sigler who want to attend Asbury Seminary and pursue worship studies. “I’m leaving (Asbury Seminary) feeling very fulfilled in this area, very equipped in this area. My interest in it has only expanded,” he said.

To learn more about or apply for the worship ministries track, contact the admissions team at admissions_office@asburyseminary.edu or by calling 1-800-2-ASBURY (1-800-227-2879). Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.