Who can attend?
If you are already involved in leading worship in your local church and you want to deepen your understanding and improve your practical worship leading skills, then this could be just the right course for you! It is also ideal for church musicians who are regularly involved in choosing music for worship or leading parts of a service from within a worship band. Our aim is to discover, develop and release, the talents that are already there in the local church.
What will I Iearn?
The course covers four key areas:
- Biblical history and theology
- History of worship, including liturgy and music
- Practical leadership skills for preparing and delivering worship
- Exploration of church traditions and different worship styles
It is based on the Worship 4 Today Course by Helen Bent and Liz Tipple, (published by CHP, 2013/14). This course originated in Sheffield Diocese.
How will I learn?
The course combines eleven Monday evening sessions from 7 – 9pm on Zoom with four Saturday mornings 10am – 2 pm and one full Saturday workshop day 9.30am – 4.30pm for face-to-face practical sessions. This avoids driving long distances on dark winter evenings. Saturday sessions use different churches spread across the diocese to provide experience of planning and delivering worship in different contexts.
Comments from course members:
“The course is an excellent blend of historical and academic study with practical exercises to address the who, what and why of worship.” Jeremy Crouch (2023-4 cohort, mentor 2024-5)
“The course has challenged my approach to faith and worship in so many exciting ways.” (Phillida Walker, 2024-5 cohort)
What does this course lead to?
On successful completion you will be authorised by Bishop Debbie as an Authorised Worship Leader and will be able to lead worship in your parish/benefice.
Who leads the course?
The course is overseen by Revd Helen Bent, former Head of Ministerial Training for the Royal School of Church Music and Transforming Worship. Helen is a respected author who brings expertise in liturgy, church history and music together with a wealth of experience in training worship leaders, ordained and lay, and their musicians across the breadth of tradition and style. Helen is joined by Revd Dr Linnet Smith, who has been involved in training in the diocese for many years. Linnet is an enthusiastic teacher who brings complementary gifts and insights rooted in her love of the Bible and her passion for worship. We are blessed with three other lay tutors: Evelyn Hartley, Catherine Johnson and Paul Minton, who have all been both participants on the course and mentors for previous cohorts. They bring a wealth of lay expertise in leading worship, music and creativity from across the different church traditions and backgrounds.
For further details please contact Helen Bent helenbent99@gmail.com
Closing date for applications is early July 2026.