CMU Faculty

Christine Longhurst

Assistant Professor of Music and Worship

Christine received her undergraduate training from the Mennonite Brethren Bible College (Bachelor of Religious Studies), and the University of Winnipeg (Bachelor of Arts in Music/violin performance).

Growing tension around "worship wars" in the Mennonite Brethren Church during the 1980's inspired her to further studies in worship at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 1987 with a Masters of Sacred Music degree. While there, she was also able to study with noted composer and conductor, Dr. Lloyd Pfautsch, earning a Master of Music degree in choral conducting.

In 2006 she graduated with the Doctor of Worship Studies degree from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. Her doctoral thesis explored the role of corporate prayer in worship.

From 1988-1993, Christine taught worship and music at the Canadian Nazarene College in Winnipeg. In 1993, she was appointed Managing Editor of Worship Together, the hymnal/worship resource for Mennonite Brethren churches in North America. Following that, she served as Pastor of Worship at River East Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg (1996-2006) and at McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church (2010-2011). 

Over the years she has taught courses on worship and music at a variety of institutions, including Regent College, Concord College, Booth College, Providence College, the Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies, and the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England.

She has been a member of the Winnipeg Singers, has directed the Winnipeg Intermediate Youth Orchestra and the Mennonite Community Orchestra, and has led a variety of worship bands.

Christine was born in Kitchener, Ontario. She and her husband, John Longhurst, have two children. 

Areas of Teaching

Leading worship and worship music, music ministry, history of worship music, chapel ensemble

Education

D.W.S., Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies, 2006; M.S.M., Perkins School of Theology, 1987; M.M., Southern Methodist University, 1987; B.R.S., Mennonite Brethren Bible College, 1981; B.A., University of Winnipeg, 1981.

Work in Detail

Teaching

Leading Music in Worship

CMU Student Worship Band

CMU Alumni Worship Band

Church Renewal and Music in the Twentieth Century

History of Congregational Song

Music Ministry and Resources

Chapel Ensemble

Applied

Workshops:

Christine spends much of her time working with churches across Canada, offering seminars and workshops on a issues related to corporate worship. 

Recent articles and publications:

"The Words We Sing." Christian Leader. Web. May, 2018.

"All Creation Sings! Worship Resources for Earth Day." Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Web. Spring, 2018. 

"Worship:  Acknowledging God." Adult Bible Study Series, Spring Quarter.            Harrisonburg, Virginia: MennoMedia, 2018.

"Room at the Table: Worship for World Food Day." Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Web. October, 2017. 

"Hunger for Justice: World Food Day Worship." Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Web. October, 2016. 

"Welcoming the Stranger: World Refugee Day Worship Resource."  Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  Web. Summer, 2016.

"The Words We sing: An Exploration of Textual  Content in Contemporary Praise & Worship Music" Direction, Fall 2015.

"The Words We Sing" The Mennonite, December, 2011

"A Bible meant to be read with your ears" Canadian Mennonite December 19, 2011

"From Education to Encounter: a 50-year evolution of MB worship styles." Mennonite Brethren Herald, November, 2010.

"The Word in Worship." The Mennonite, March, 2010.

"The Rise of Rhythm."  Canadian Mennonite, November 16, 2009. 

Community

Christine has discovered that blogging is a wonderful way to help resource pastors, worship leaders and worship planners in congregations around the world. 

Her popular re:Worship blog contains scripturally-based spoken worship resources (calls to worship, prayers, litanies, benedictions, etc.). You can find it at http://re-worship.blogspot.ca/. 

Christine's Contemporary Psalms blog suggests suitable Praise & worship songs for each of the 150 psalms.  You can find it at http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/.

Christine has also been involved in a recording project (online and audio CD), which tells the stories behind many favourite hymns, gospel songs and Christmas carols. The project is sponsored by Family Life Network.

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