Online Worship Leader Training Resources
There are many great sites to find training for worship leaders online today. This page will give you links to sites I am aware of. Their listing here does not necessarily carry my endorsement. Check out these sources to see which best meets your needs.
Worship Leader Boot Camp Online Options
Worship Leader training that has been experienced by thousands around the world is now available in two online formats. Here is an overview of the material and a description of the two options:
This video describes the content of the
Worship Leader Boot Camp online training
Worship Leader Boot Camp Online
A self-paced, fully online version of the Worship Leader Boot Camp is now live. This course includes 29 videos with 6.5 hours of instruction recorded at a recent Boot Camp. One should expect to spend a minimum of 10 hours with this class. While this lacks the excitement and inspiration of gathering with people in a live event, it does cover the material thoroughly on your timetable. You can take time to digest the material in a slower fashion than the live event. There is no contact with the instructor in this course. [Cost $30] $10 discounts available here.
Basic Certificate in Worship Leadership
Worship Leader Boot Camp: BEYOND EXTREME
This takes all the material in the Worship Leader Boot Camp PLUS much additional practical material for leading a worship ministry and expands it to an online class with instructor interaction and feedback in one of two options:
Cohort Study: A small group selected to participate in these classes will work through online video teaching, resources, projects, forums, etc. to learn the material thoroughly. The group will meet each week with the instructor in a video conference to discuss the material (optional). Additionally, there is much interaction online with the instructor and classmates. Two weeks are devoted to completing a final project for the class. Participants must be committed to the entire 12 weeks. Unlike most online courses, this one has instructor interaction.
Independent Study: You have up to six months to complete the work described in the Cohort Study above. However, there is no interaction with other students nor weekly online video class meetings.
All work is done via the Moodle Classroom online platform at WorshipClass.org. Successful completion of this class grants college credit towards any degree at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. Also, all who complete the course satisfactorily will be granted a Basic Certificate in Worship Leadership by Fruitland Baptist Bible College. [$175, discounts for NC Baptist churches] More information
Can’t Decide Which Variation Is Best for You?
The 12-week class with other participants gives you the great benefit of learning from one another. However, some participants found it difficult to keep up with the work. Getting behind in the 12-week model can be detrimental to the class experience. So, if you can commit to the time to the class experience, it is the preferred route, however, the independent study route covers the same material and has the same expectations minus the class interaction piece. This is best for those that need time flexibility to accomplish the class in a six-month period, if needed.
Additional Online Training Options
Bob Kauflin Worship Matters Video Intensives.
Bob has recorded a 12-session training course as a supplement to his book Worship Matters. In this video series he teaches through a broad range of topics, from practical guidance on putting songs together, growing in spontaneity, and planning a service to spiritual topics like humility, comparison, and idolatry. FREE. More information
WorshipU.com
WorshipU is a unique online training program from Bethel Music that exists to equip and empower worship leaders, musicians, and worshippers. The classes are not accredited, however, they provide a comprehensive set of teachings that will benefit worshippers of every skill level and experience. The primary focus of WorshipU is to transform Worship Leaders in a modern and practical way. Core lessons are provided for students from an extensive library of videos. Applicational learning through a progress-based system provides the student with hands-on experience from beginning to end. And WorshipU has access to multiple Bethel Music Musicians that are more than happy to share their knowledge and wisdom with instruments, singing, and songwriting techniques. Tracks include Worship leader, songwriter, sound engineer, team essentials, producing a song, and worship fundamentals. [$9.95-$19.95/month, yearly savings] More information
Musicademy.com
Worship training resources, DVDs, downloadable lessons and online streaming subscription site (access to all DVD training online). Lessons in acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, vocals, harmony, bass, drums, orchestra, play by ear, band skills PA & sound tech, understanding chords, and worship leading. [$9-$30/month depending on number enrolled from church. Annual pay discounts] More information
WorshipTraining.com
WorshipTraining is the worship education arm of the PraiseCharts family of websites. The WorshipTraining website exists to serve the international, interdenominational 21st century Christian community as a Worship and Arts Training, Resourcing and Development network. They have many voices that contribute to our world, from across the church spectrum, that focus on what they believe to be “essentials” related to worship. Their founding Learning Director is Dan Wilt, M.Min. [$19/month single, 10 users – $29, 25 – $39, unlimited $49] More information
WorshipCentral.org
Worship Central offers seven free sessions from Tim Hughes and Al Gordon. The Worship Central Course is a seven session course that looks at some of the big theological and practical issues around leading worship in the 21st Century. They are passionate about the power of worship to transform our communities and have designed the course to equip, empower and encourage worship leaders and teams to be as effective as they can be. FREE More information
Austin Stone Worship Development
They have two online training programs – Foundations & Practicals.
FOUNDATIONS is a 5-module course that walks you through some of the healthy foundations of an effective worship leader. You’ll learn How to incorporate the Word into your songwriting, practical ways to be in the Word consistently, 3 reasons why we worship, how to better engage the people you lead, how to foster a culture of togetherness with your team, practicals for set lists and Sunday planning, how to lead your team in pursuing excellence, learn about the importance of your community shaping your leadership, learn some ways other Worship Leaders are developing others, hear how hospitality can do more in developing your team
and so much more! [$150 paid in one installment or 6 payments of $30] More information
PRACTICALS is an online training program that’s aimed at helping you grow in the practical skills of leading worship. You’ll learn how to cast vision to your team, how to structure your ministry, how to select band members, and give feedback, how to define your values as a ministry, how to run tracks in worship with Ableton Live, how to get a good monitor mix, basics of audio and, lighting for worship environments, how to craft a Sunday liturgy, how a leader deals with conflict, disciplines to, start songwriting, how to tune your church’s drum set, how to have a productive band rehearsal, how to pick songs and choose keys, and the Nashville Numbers System [$150 paid in one installment or 6 payments of $30] More information
PAUL BALOCHE LEAD WORSHIP ONLINE COURSES
Paul Baloche has produced three classes for online training with practical training for worship leaders and teams–Songwriting for Worship, Leading Worship, and Worship Vocal Workshop. [$97 per course] More information
Covenant Theological Seminary Courses, Lectures & Sermons-ALL FREE
Covenant Seminary has 45 full-length masters courses and more than 100 lectures series and hundreds of sermons. Many are worship classes. FREE More information
WorshipArtistry.com
Instrumental instruction taught to a particular song. They have over 300 guitar lessons and ever growing collection of full band arrangements featuring in-depth teaching, chord charts, tabs and sheet music for drums, bass, keyboard, lead and rhythm guitars. Note: the lessons may teach the songs in keys not ideal for congregational singing. [limited free account. Individual $8/month with team and annual discounts] More information
WorshipTutorials.com
Song tutorials, guitar lessons and worship leading tips are all free. More information
Samford University Online Certificate in Worship Leadership
The online certificate in Worship Leadership from the Ministry Training Institute at Samford University offers courses in new techniques, practices and technologies, as well as opportunities to dig deeper into biblical foundations for worship. Made up of four classes, seven weeks each, with 6-8 hours/week invested. [$199/course or $699 for all four if prepaid] More information
Ministry Grid
Volunteer training for every ministry role including worship ministry is found on this site. [$597/year for entire church, $10/month or $100/year for individuals] More information
WorshipOnline.com
With tutorials, lessons, chord/number charts and tabs, your instrumentalists and vocalists can master their set list with ease. Whether you’re an individual musician, or a worship leader seeking to equip your team, these instrumental and vocal song-based tutorials can prepare the team for leading worship. Note: the lessons may teach the songs in keys not ideal for congregational singing. [$12/month with team and annual discounts] More information
SoutheASTERN Baptist Theological Seminary Ministry of Worship GO Certificate Course
Southeastern’s GO Certificate courses are self-paced online courses designed to train great commission Christians for local church ministry. The Ministry of Worship course is designed to introduce the student to the doctrine, history, and practice of Christian worship with special emphasis on worship in the local church. Through 30 video lectures (approximately 20 minutes each), students will: (1) Develop an understanding of significant principles and practices of worship in the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. (2) Recognize biblical elements of worship and priorities for corporate worship. (3) Consider aspects of a theology of worship for the local church. (4) Understand the nature of worship ministry in the local church, including planning and leading corporate worship. Click here to view a sample lecture and considering registering to take the course for 1 hour of academic credit (college or seminary level). [$300] More information
Don Moen Worship Training
Don Moen has a YouTube channel with lots of free training videos. Check out the Master Class series. More information
