Worship and Music Fellows Program

To equip and prepare ministry leaders, personally and professionally, for Reformed gospel ministry in worship and music for the edification of the Church, in service to a local congregation, and under the authority of local church leadership.

Greg Wilbur
Worship & Chief Musician

Applications Open Now:

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What is Cornerstone’s Worship Fellows Program?

An intensive nine-month study and preparation for folks to develop knowledge, wisdom, experience, and skills in the areas of worship and music—whether currently serving, aspiring to serve, or for personal growth.

In its current form, the weekly schedule includes:

  • 10 hours per week of reading, practice, study, and meetings

  • Approximately 4 hours of that time is in group or individual instruction, workshops, meetings, rehearsals, discipling, or with guests

  • By the end of this Program, a Fellow will have opportunity to:

    • Plan worship in a Biblical, historic, and Reformed setting

    • Navigate and thrive under pastoral authority and in relationship to Leadership

    • Have a context for music history, worship philosophy, and theology

    • Prepare music for worship teams

    • Play, Sing, and Lead with greater skill

    • Select music for special services

    • Participate in special projects such as congregational devotionals, recording projects, etc.

    • Provide Worship and Music Resources for the Church

    • Readings and discussions in the areas of music, theology, and worship.

    • Development of needful skills through poiesis in the areas of planning, preparing, and practicing music and worship.

    • Group discussions and individual mentoring.

    • Active participation in planning worship services, arranging instrumental parts, selecting and preparing choral music.

    • Active participation in the ongoing work of ministry at Cornerstone (or at one’s home church) including: weekly worship, seasonal vespers, seasonal choir, devotional preparation, special services, and special events.

    • Additional personalized and group instruction with guests in vocal pedagogy, keyboard and guitar skills, organ, conducting, etc.

    • Regular opportunities to interact with thoughtful leaders in the music and worship sphere.

    • Church Music History and Music Listening; Historic Liturgies

    • Theology of Worship and Philosophy of Worship; Theology of Music

    • Planning Weekly Worship and creating bulletins and Music Typesetting skills

    • Keyboard skills and Leading in Worship

    • Arranging for instruments (orchestrating for more advanced participants)

    • Choral Music and Choral Literature

    • Creating a Church musical culture

    • Personal development in spiritual disciplines and administrative skills

    • Introduction and understanding of audio/visual

  • When I was invited to study in the Worship Fellows program, I could not have imagined the breadth of the knowledge I would receive. The book choices and observations in discussion explained how music expresses and facilitates worship. Thus, the worship leader should take into account music’s ethical appeal as well as the needs of the congregation. Music should be used pastorally to deliver the Word of God to the people in song as well as speech.

    —Current Fellow

  • I have really appreciated the opportunity to have fellowship with like-minded men who work in my field. This has also been a wonderful opportunity for me to round out my understanding of church history and its significance to my task. How to lead in humble and Godly way is a challenge for me, but I believe that I am given a good example of that. This group has helped me, and will continue to help me, I believe, as a musician, leader, theologian and a Christian.

    —Former Fellow

  • Cornerstone's program has been helpful to our worship leader who is now working more independently in developing liturgies for our worship services. He has been stretched in his thoughtfulness about Scripture and worship in general. I see him more engaged with God’s word and prayer in the last year.

    —Pastor

  • Since joining the Fellows Program at Cornerstone Presbyterian church, I have been challenged to work through the whys and the hows of music ministry more than any prior time in my life. From weekly readings to our invigorating conversations, the foundations of my views have been strengthened, moving beyond the assumption of “this is just the way to do it” towards an understanding of how what we do as musicians can best benefit our congregations while also bringing greater glory to God. The assignments have been challenging and I can see how they are sharpening skills I can use in the future to the betterment of my own congregation.

    —Former Fellow

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