麻豆传媒

For Lenna Harlow, worship has always been more than just music; it鈥檚 been a calling.听

Now, as听the first听student听to听graduate听from听麻豆传媒鈥檚听(PBA)听newly revised听Bachelor of Music in Worship Leadership program,听Harlow is marking a milestone not only in her own听journey, but in the future of worship leadership at PBA.听

The听Bachelor of Music in Worship Leadership program听was听approved听by听the听听in 2023.听The need for this program听is听reflected听in churches鈥� growing need听for leaders who are both musically trained听and have ministry experience.听听

鈥淚t is an honor to be paving a new path in the worship leadership degree as worship has changed continually over time,鈥� Harlow said. 鈥淚t is very important to have a program where we are learning the new aspects in worship leadership which are used in churches today.鈥�

A Calling Rooted in Worship听

Harlow鈥檚 passion for worship began听early. Growing up in a musical family, she spent years singing and writing songs听on听the piano, slowly nurturing听this听call.听

鈥淚 have felt called to worship from a very young age,鈥澨鼿arlow听said. 鈥淚 grew up singing with my family and sitting at the piano for countless hours just writing music and singing to God.鈥�听

Over time, that passion grew into a desire to听help听lead others to worship.听听

鈥淭he thing that interests me most is just being able to join with others in worship and laying all differences aside to join in with heaven, praising God,鈥� Harlow said.

Exercising听both Ministry and Music听听

The worship leadership听program at PBA combines music training with theology and ministry preparation. Students听are given the opportunity to听study music theory, improvisation,听songwriting, and production听while also learning about church leadership and biblical foundations.听听

Unlike听traditional听music degrees, the program听emphasizes ministry听over performance.听听

鈥淲e are less focused on performing and building a name for ourselves, and more on edifying the church and enhancing our gifts to lead others in听pure worship,鈥澨鼿arlow听said.听听

As part of听the听newly revised program, Harlow experienced its growth firsthand.听Harlow听believes the听program has shifted significantly during her time at PBA, becoming more aligned with contemporary worship practices.听听

Training听with tools such as Planning Center, Nashville Numbers,听and Ableton听also听positions her and future听students听to gain听a deeper understanding of the technical听and behind-the-scenes aspects of worship leadership.听

Paving the Way Forward听听

After graduation, Harlow plans to continue leading worship at churches, camps, and听conferences, using听her theological training听to communicate the meaning of worship with others.听

鈥淚 plan听on being in a more pastoral role of worship,鈥澨鼿arlow听said. 鈥淚 plan to be a mentor within the church as well as a worship director.鈥澨�听

Looking ahead, she also hopes to invest in future worship leaders, encouraging students to gain experience beyond the classroom.听听

鈥淪erve your community and get experience,鈥� Harlow said. 鈥淕et to know other worship leaders and ministers in the area, cultivate relationships with them, and learn from them.鈥澨�听

As听the first to graduate in the听newly revised听program, Harlow is听leaving a foundation for those who follow.听She has not only discovered her calling in听worship but听has also inspired other students to discover their own.听听

To learn more about PBA, visit听/.