The Costen Institute
Worship Leadership
... a new canvas for music, media, and sacred arts.
The Costen Institute is the worship leadership center of JCSTS, offering collaborative, faith-rooted learning for clergy, musicians, liturgists, and sacred arts leaders from diverse traditions.
Grounded in the legacy of the Black Church and informed by ecumenical perspectives, the Institute equips learners with theological, pastoral, and artistic tools for leading meaningful worship in a variety of contexts.
Whether exploring the foundations of worship or refining vocational practice, participants engage in a rigorous, culturally responsive approach that honors tradition while cultivating innovation in worship leadership.
This three-week course introduces the theological, cultural, and liturgical foundations of worship leadership. Participants will explore the role of music, preaching, and sacred arts in shaping worship across diverse contexts, with particular attention to faith-rooted leadership in justice-seeking communities.
Course Goals:
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Explore the biblical and cultural foundations of worship leadership
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Understand the role of music, sacred arts, and preaching in communal worship
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Develop tools for discerning and responding to the unique needs of worshiping communities
Length of Study: 3 weeks (20 hours)
Prerequisite: None
Note: This course is a prerequisite for Core II and Core III
Core I: Foundations of Worship Leadership
This course offers a deeper exploration of worship leadership through music and sacred arts, equipping participants with the technical and vocational skills needed to support and guide worship in collaboration with pastoral teams and ministry leaders.
Emphasizing both artistry and theology, Core II helps learners shape meaningful worship experiences rooted in cultural depth and spiritual purpose.
Participants will engage in hands-on instruction in music, media, and the sacred arts, including piano, voice, visual arts, conducting, and liturgical movement, all viewed through a worship-centered lens.
Areas of Focus Include:
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Conducting
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Sight-Reading
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Basic Piano
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Introduction to Singing
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Music and Liturgical Leadership
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Media in the Church
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Sacred Arts (MIME, Dance, Visual Expression)
Length of Study: One semester, with most topics delivered in 1–2-week modules
Prerequisite: Core I
Core II: Music and the Sacred Arts – The Technical Approach
Core III: The Minister of Music for Worship – The Professional Approach
This advanced course is designed for individuals called to music ministry who seek theological, liturgical, and vocational preparation outside of traditional seminary settings. Core III offers professional, ecumenical training that clarifies the role of the Minister of Music and affirms its theological significance across denominational lines.
Grounded in the sacred traditions of the Black Church and enriched by broader ecclesial perspectives, this course equips participants to lead with integrity, clarity, and purpose within worshiping communities.
Length of Study: Two semesters
Prerequisite: Core I
Credential: Certificate of Competency
Interested in learning more?
Whether you're a seasoned worship leader, a musician discerning your call, or someone seeking to deepen your understanding of sacred worship traditions, the Costen Institute at JCSTS offers a pathway for growth, reflection, and leadership development.
Our courses are designed to equip you with the theological grounding, technical skills, and cultural insight needed to lead worship that is both meaningful and transformative.
Explore the Costen Institute’s full course offerings and take the next step in your worship leadership journey. Click below to send an email expressing your interest today.
About Dr. Melva Costen
Dr. Melva Wilson Costen was a renowned scholar, educator, and liturgist whose work significantly shaped the study and practice of Christian worship through an African American lens. Her research illuminated the distinctions between African American and Eurocentric worship traditions, offering critical insight into music, preaching, and the sacred arts as central expressions of Black faith.
A deeply ecumenical thinker, Dr. Costen approached worship as both a theological and cultural practice, encouraging students to engage traditions critically while honoring their denominational contexts. Her legacy continues to inspire leaders to cultivate worship that is theologically sound, culturally rooted, and spiritually transformative—always for the glory of God.
