Center for Worship & the Arts
Equipping leaders of all ages for faithful and artistic worship through research, resources, and transformative gatherings—for the glory of God, for the good of the Church.
Samford University’s Center for Worship and the Arts is a vibrant hub dedicated to equipping leaders at the intersection of worship, theology, and the arts.
We are igniting conversations that help churches reimagine how worshipers of all ages can flourish. The Center champions church leaders, mentors, and young people across Christian traditions as uniquely gifted co-creators of faithful and artistic worship. Through research, resources, and transformative gatherings, we are creating a platform that enlivens congregations and nurtures lifelong worshipers of Jesus Christ.
Events
Check out our 2024-25 CWA events calendar, packed with opportunities to explore innovative worship arts practices in community with Samford faculty, staff, and students as well as local ministry leaders. These events include a complimentary meal on the beautiful campus of Samford University (registration required.) This fall we will conduct a forum on ministering well in divisive times, celebrate and unveil a new resource devoted to shepherding individuals with sensory sensitivity in worship environments, and host a time of spiritual renewal for ministry leaders with author Rory Noland and the Samford Worship Collective.
Animate
Animate is Samford's Center for Worship and the Arts original summer program in worship arts for teenagers and their adult mentors that takes place on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Mentoring young people to become faithful worshippers lies at the heart of the Animate philosophy. Through Animate, teenagers become conversant in multiple styles and expressions of worship, connect with both adult mentors as well as their peers, and catch a vision for intergenerational worship – then carry these new skills and ideas back to enrich the life of their own church congregation. Save the date for Animate - June 23-27, 2025.
Online Certificates
Interested in studying worship on a deeper level but unable to pursue a degree right now? Whether you are a volunteer, bi-vocational worship leader, or a well-seasoned minister or administrator, our certificate programs offer biblically sound worship instruction without the commitment of pursuing a degree or attending classes on-campus. The Center for Worship and the Arts in partnership with Samford’s Ministry Training Institute offers two non-degree, Online Certificate Programs: Worship Leadership and Music Fundamentals for Worship. Registration for 2024-25 courses is open now.
Latest Resources
The Center for Worship and the Arts is committed to leveraging worship practices into resources that can be disseminated to a broader audience, especially those that create agency, develop responsibility, foster intergenerational mentoring, and encourage long-term relationships.
