This past month, Lilly Endowment presented a grant to the Samford Center for Worship and the Arts for $1.25 million towards enhancing the center’s programming with children’s worship.
The Center for Worship and the Arts operates as an auxiliary unit within Samford’s School of the Arts, founded upon its four pillars of theology, worship, the arts and young people.
“To equip congregations and intergenerational and artistic worship practices that glorify God, honor Christ, and join the Spirit’s transformative work in the world,” said Dr. Nelson Cowan, its director, describes their mission.
“We see ourselves as a resourcing hub for worship leaders, artists, creatives and pastors in the southeast,” Cowan said. “This grant reorients us for the next five years as we look to expand the scope of our operations and programming.”
Their flagship program is Animate which is a summer camp that seeks to equip and empower young artists to be leaders of the church.
“We’re excited about developing programs and initiatives that help local churches serve and equip their young people through various art forms,” Cowan said.
The funds from Lilly Endowment will primarily fund three “C’s” that both Cowan mentioned, as well as Emily Andrews, the Executive Director of the Center for Worship and the Arts.
The three C’s are collaborate, coach and create. The bulk of the funding will go towards “Collaborate,” referring to establishing Intergenerational Worship Arts Cohorts with local and regional congregations.
This also includes developing various music practices and activities, empowering ministries for children with special needs and creating experimental “pray-grounds” for sensory exploration for children in churches. “Collaborate” also means the program will continue to engage Samford faculty and Students.
“Coach” refers to developing education courses for congregational leaders engaging children, a new certificate program called Worship with All Generations and hosting annual workshops.
“Create” denotes an originally developed album called “Monday Songs,” connecting worship with children’s daily lives, a project that will bring together Samford students and industry professionals.
“When we create an album like that, God is glorified in the beauty of what is created there and faith is established and strengthened–not only for the life of the young person but in the entire family,” Dr. Cowan said.
“Research shows young people are increasingly disengaging from religious services and disaffiliating from religion altogether at younger ages.” Andrews said. “We believe it’s crucial to engage children early, rather than waiting until adolescence.”
Receiving the grant allows Samford to join the community created by the Endowment. The community includes organizations from various Christian traditions and ethnic backgrounds.
“We welcome as many Samford students as possible getting involved in this work, said Cowan. “We literally cannot do it alone.”
Staff Writer
