With the limited class size for the advanced training, we are encouraging those interested to apply right away for the next session before registration is closed.  Contact Brent Vaughan for information on how to apply and the proficiency tests involved in applying.  More and more churches are waking up to the need to invest in their leaders.  Most who currently serve in leading roles are not in a position to go back to university to attain a degree in worship ministry.  However, most can arrange their schedules to attend the Institute for intensive training, featuring class room and lab work.  Doctors, Attorneys, CPAs and many others participate in continuing education and professional development. This is not for novices. If you know a highly talented leader who would like to sharpen his skills, encourage him to apply.

Topics include: stage presence, non-verbal communication, proper voice care, worship planning, transitions, tempo and dynamics, physics of holding pitch, as well as conflict resolution.  We invest in training preachers as a priority.  It’s time we invest in seriously developing those who lead God’s people in worship.

This was the first Institute with two leaders attending from the same congregation — providing me with optimism of how one congregation can be positively affected.  Also, there were three leaders from another church!  Last year, our first teenager attended the Institute while this year saw our first elder being trained.  The instructors did an outstanding job within the context of almost a one-to-one teacher/student ratio.  In addition to classroom work, there was quite a bit of practical “lab” work, video taping and review.  I’m thankful for this opportunity to serve the church.  If only something like this were availble to me a few decades ago!

The problem surfaces in the reality that most active and current worship leaders cannot drop their occupations and stations in life in order to return to university to fulfill the requirements of a worship ministry major.  This urgent need, made all the more apparent through our weekly interactions with congregations, prompted me to launch the Worship Leader Institute.

The Institute is not for beginners, nor is it for casual practicioners.  The four-day curriculum is an advanced course within the context of a bootcamp for leaders.  An entrance test is required and enrollment is limited, as the student / instructor ratio is close to one to one and two to one.

I pray that more congregations will invest in their singing and worship by sponsoring their qualified worship leaders in applying for the Worship Leader Institute.  The next Institute is in January, 2010.  For more information, contact Brent Vaughan.

I am of the opinion that the church is experiencing an extreme drought when it comes to well-prepared and qualified worship leaders who are available to serve.  Although we have seen an outstanding emphasis on training preachers and youth ministers (including graduate training), education for worship ministers has been pitifully inadequate in the circles that I frequent.  Thankfully, some of our Christian colleges have added a worship ministry major to their offerings.

The problem surfaces in the reality that most active and current worship leaders cannot drop their occupations and stations in life in order to return to university to fulfill the requirements of a worship ministry major.  This urgent need, made all the more apparent through our weekly interactions with congregations, prompted me to launch the Worship Leader Institute.

The Institute is not for beginners, nor is it for casual practicioners.  The four-day curricullum is an advanced course within the context of a bootcamp for leaders.  An entrance test is required and enrollment is limited, as the student / instructor ratio is close to one to one and two to one.

I pray that more congregations will invest in their singing and worship by sponsoring their qualified worship leaders in applying for the Worship Leader Institute.  For more information, contact Brent Vaughan.