Abstract
Worship Leader Institute (WLI) is a week-long intensive training program for a cappella worship leaders in Churches of Christ, emphasizing holistic worship leading and planning. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the concepts, practices, and relationships WLI graduates found most valuable and effective for enhancing vitality of a cappella worship at their churches. Theoretical frameworks were experiential learning theory and communities of practice. The four primary research questions were (a) What concepts learned during WLI did recent graduates describe as most valuable and why? (b) Which practices from the WLI have been implemented by recent graduates, and how do they describe their reasons for implementing these practices? (c) How do recent graduates describe their initial and ongoing participation in the WLI community of practice, and what benefits are derived from the relationships? and (d) How do graduates describe changes in the vitality of a cappella worship at their churches since attending WLI?
Interviews of ten graduates of the program revealed five key themes: (a) participants developed a strong sense of intentionality in crafting worship services, (b) the program helped form ministerial identity in participants, (c) cultural context poses unique challenges and shapes participants’ ability to implement certain practices, (d) although participation in the community of practice was a positive experience, participation declines over time, and (e) the importance of creating an atmosphere of excitement/exuberance/vibrancy in worship through outward expression of joy and enthusiasm. The study concludes with three main findings: (a) WLI participants desire to preserve and to revitalize the Church of Christ tradition of a cappella worship, (b) intentionality and exuberance are the two most important keys to achieving vibrant a cappella worship, and (c) WLI shapes participants into holistic worship leaders who pastorally consider congregational needs.
Future research should explore the following: Pedagogical practices and techniques employed at WLI and how they shape participants, worship-planning tactics for somber occasions, and the professional development needs of female worship leaders. Recommendations for WLI include adapting the program concepts to various cultural contexts, broadening opportunities for graduates’ ongoing community participation, and furthering development of participants’ ministerial identity.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Churches of Christ—Liturgy; Choral singing—A cappella; Communities of practice; Experiential learning
Date of Award
2025
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Education
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Paula Thompson
Recommended Citation
Armstead, Christopher, "Achieving vibrant a cappella worship: a descriptive study of key takeaways of worship leaders graduating from the worship leader institute" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 1645.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1645