The Master of Arts in Worship: A Reflection and a Path Forward

Toledo, David M. “The Master of Arts in Worship: A Reflection and a Path Forward.” Artistic Theologian 7 (2019): 89–103.

The 2019 Edition (Volume 7) of Artistic Theologian includes an article by me that examines the history of the Master of Arts in Worship degree program in the School of Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I served as the Assistant Dean of the Performance Division and Assistant Professor of Music Ministry at SWBTS from 2015–2019. Prior to my tenure as a faculty member, I earned my graduate and doctoral degree from the same institution. The Master of Arts in Worship Degree was one of my primary responsibilities as a faculty member and I loved worked with our students in this program.

Here’s an abstract of the article, along with a link to download the full text.

The School of Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has a rich heritage of musical training, rigorous theological instruction, and the use of a broad range of methodologies. From its infancy as a small department within the School of Theology to its present state as a full-fledged music school offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, the School of Church Music has sought to consistently review and adapt its curricula to the changing state of affairs in its primary constituencies — the local churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. Throughout its history, a common commitment to biblical fidelity, musical excellence, and pastoral development has coursed through the School, enlivening the classrooms, studios, and venues of worship.

This article will focus on the Master of Arts in Worship (MAW) degree program and will demonstrate the ways it reflects Southwestern’s commitment to offering biblically rich theological training conjoined with practical ministry skill development. The MAW has served as a flexible vessel throughout its seventeen-year existence, undergoing several revisions since its initial proposal in 2002. Throughout the course of this examination, I will interject the stories of graduates of this program to show how it has positively shaped their ministries and their understanding of the Scriptures.