Creating the Next Generation of Church Leaders
Through the efforts of the Center for Christian Music Studies and its summer training event, Worship Lab, students are being prepared for success in music ministry roles to help build a bridge to the future in ministry.
In 2018, the Center for Christian Music Studies was invited to join a research initiative, funded by a Lilly Grant, to examine the religious lives of youth across the United States. The church music program designed a grant project surrounding Worship Lab, the annual training camp for high-school musicians. Over the past four years, the Center for Christian Music Studies (CCMS) has successfully built relationships with churches, primarily across Texas, to assess how young people are engaged in music and worship ministry program.
As phase 1 of this research initiative ends next year, the latest research shows strength in three key areas in the continued hope for the church, especially through the eyes of young people.
Church/Program Buy-in: Youth are motivated to go beyond simply participating in church activities when they are given specific leadership opportunities. Many churches are actively investing in and encouraging their youth to lead in large corporate settings.
Transformation: Students returned from the Worship Lab with new energy and a level of enthusiastic engagement. Many of the students have taken ownership of their teams and are eager to invest in extra work.
Building Bridges: Students who have participated in Worship Labe over the past four to five years are now studying music, worship, and religion in universities around the country.
Read more about this project and view a PDF copy of the 2022 Research Report by click here.