Worship Lab Workshops Continue to Offer Needed Training to Local Communities
In an era where youth engagement in church life is more crucial than ever, Baylor University’s Worship Lab Worship Workshop emerges as a transformative initiative. Spearheaded by the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies, this program extends beyond Baylor’s campus, aiming to equip middle and high school students with the tools to lead worship and invigorate their local congregations.
Enhancing the faith of young people through trainings that enable greater student leadership in youth and corporate worship gatherings.
Bringing the Summer Camp Experience to the Local Church
Formed from the work of the Building Bridges to the Future youth worship initiative, the Dunn Center has now hosted six workshops in Texas and one in South Carolina. The most recent of these took place this past weekend at First Baptist Church of Belton, Texas. The workshops are led by a team of experienced professionals, including Dr. Shannan Baker, who connects contemporary worship research with church practices. The depth of leadership expertise ensures that students receive comprehensive training that bridges academic knowledge with practical application. By hosting these events within a local church community, we are developing partnerships with ministry teams and offering students opportunities to engage in high-quality training within a space that more familiar. Through grant funding, the workshops are offered at no cost to student participants.
Intentional Focus & Design
The mission of the Worship Lab Worship Workshop is to enhance the faith of young people through trainings that enable greater student leadership in youth and corporate worship gatherings. The event works to accomplish this task by taking creating a concise, one-day sampling of the offerings from the Worship Lab Summer camp. With musical leadership from Baylor’s 40 Collective, the event begins and ends with musical offerings presented by Baylor’s team of church musicians. Breakout sessions allow students to focus on planning worship, leadership and stage presence, singing with others, rehearsal techniques, and technology. Two larger group breakouts focus on vocalists, instrumentalists, and technology. The event is tied together with a morning discussion with Baylor church music students on why they chose their major and an afternoon session on how each of us are worship leaders, no matter our role in our weekly gatherings.
A Model for the Future
By combining academic research with community engagement, Baylor's Worship Lab Worship Workshop exemplifies how institutions can play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of church leaders. Through targeted training, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to adaptability, the program not only enriches individual participants but also strengthens the fabric of local church communities.
The initiative reflects Baylor's commitment to extending its mission beyond the university, fostering a new generation of worship leaders equipped to serve in diverse church settings.
Learn more about the Worship Lab Initiative and upcoming workshops here.