By Jack Freedman, Staff Writer
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor added several new majors, including music with an emphasis in worship technology, in spring 2025. With media ministry on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, this major will prepare students to do work that churches are looking for. Unlike UMHB’s church music major, worship technology is designed to assist students who want to work in the technical side of church music, whereas church music majors are trained to perform music and lead musicians in churches.
“The goal of this major is to equip students for media ministry in the church,” Robert Pendergraft, professor of church music, said. “Worship technology refers to the tech specifically used within churches: video, lighting, presentation software, live sound, and how to run a band for a church service.”
While the major focuses specifically on worship, students who are already in media directing roles that do not directly apply to churches may benefit from some courses in worship technology.
“If you view yourself as a media director or if you are in a media technology role, then the worship tech major prepares you for that a little bit more,” Pendergraft said. “It doesn’t preclude you from doing one or the other.”
Classes in this major are designed to give students experience in media ministry in addition to general church music classes. These include advanced music technology, introduction to Christian ministry, worship design, and philosophy of church music.
“I teach professor of survey of music business and advanced music technology,” Ryan McArthur, UMHB professor and worship leader at First Baptist Church of Taylor, said. “In advanced music tech, our focus is working with Pro Tools with an emphasis on recording and replicating music. Pro Tools is a digital audio station where you can record and produce music. We also focus on developing an ear for music production. In survey of music business, we cover music law, publishing, songwriting, ethics, and everything else related to the music industry.”
These classes will help to prepare students who want to lead and record worship music after they graduate. Because of this, many students majoring in church music may benefit from classes in worship technology.
“I’m in advanced music technology. We’re learning how to record worship music, which is something that a lot of larger churches do,” Olyvia Owen, junior and intern at First Baptist Salado, said. “I’m also taking worship design, which is basically how to form a worship service. I’m also in songs of worship, which teaches how to write worship songs and understanding hymn lyrics and contemporary lyrics.”
Owen is a vocalist and sang in a band at her home church. She hopes to be a worship pastor following college and hopes to use her career in church music to glorify God.
“I was a singer in a church band growing up, and I wanted to learn more about why we sing worship and what decisions are made. I chose church music because I love singing, but I love Jesus more.”
