PROGRAM & TIMELINE
2022-2023 Program year
Begins September 2022
Leitourgia (light org ee ah) is a fully funded, 9-month-long, intergenerational, mentorship opportunity for churches seeking new ways to incorporate youth into the worship life of their congregations. The project connects youth and participating adults with other area churches while exploring the rich and diverse ways Christians worship the Triune God. Participants not only discover the depth of Christian worship practices, but will develop their own talents through hands-on training from seasoned leaders and professors.
program involvement
This program is not only for musicians. We are excited about the musicians who will participate in the project, and we also believe that worship is so much more than music. Students can use a wide array of talents in the worshipping life of their church. The visual arts, dance, drama, hospitality and media technology can all serve the church at worship. We are eager to welcome participants from a diverse array of Christian congregations who are eager to explore how worship might reflect the beautiful vision of Revelation 7—one in which “every nation, tribe, people and language” are united in worship of the Triune God. We also welcome participants whose talents may not fit into an existing ministry in your church. For example, churches simply aspiring to develop youth worship leaders in any of the areas noted above would be more than welcome to participate.
What to expect
Following an opening retreat in late September, participants in the Leitourgia Project will journey through four modules designed to equip worship leaders to think biblically, theologically, historically, and pastorally about worship renewal in their own context. Youth ministers or adult leaders will be equipped with the curriculum from the Leitourgia Project and receive ongoing support from the project staff. Each module includes content from experienced teachers and practitioners as well as concrete ways to put these ideas into practice in the local congregation. The four modules will be punctuated by a day-long retreat on Seattle Pacific University’s campus, led by SPU’s music, visual arts, and theology faculty, and will welcome keynote artists and speakers. The project concludes in May of 2023.
For Students: Students can expect focused training and mentoring in worship leadership throughout the program via the small group curriculum, in-person summits, and Fellowship Groups. The Fellowship Groups will allow for meaningful relationships with participants from a diverse array of church traditions. Between summit gatherings Fellowship Groups will have the opportunity to experience worship at each other’s churches.
For Adult Leaders: Adult Leaders will lead their students through the curriculum in their local churches. Additionally, they will receive personal consultation and resources from the Leitourgia team to help enable their youth to put the tools they are learning into practice.
Program Cost: The entire cost of the year-long project is fully funded through a generous grant. Student participants and adult leaders are asked to commit to completing the project and are expected to take part in each of the gatherings.
Application information
Application: Applications for our September 2022 cohort are now open. We are giving priority to applications received by September 1st,, 2022. The questions are designed to be filled out by a staff/volunteer who works with high school students at a local church. If you are a high school student, click on the second button to talk with someone at the Leitourgia Project!
For more information email us at leitourgiaproject@gmail.com