Q: how many students are involved in sons & daughters?

A: Sons & Daughters is, by design, a discipleship based program. As such, we desire to be good stewards and invest well in a small number of individuals at one time. Four to eight students seems to be an ideal number. Thus far, over 60 students have graduated from Sons & Daughters Worship School.

Q: how much does the worship school cost?

A: Tuition for this year is $1,000 for Tracks 1-3, and an additional $500 for those who choose to do Track 4. This includes all meals, lodging, and materials for the entire nine month school. Scholarships of 50% of the tuition cost are available for students applying from Michigan Catalyst Network churches. If finances are an issue, we recommend writing and sending support letters to family, friends, and your church community. You can access a template by clicking here, but we recommend making this letter your own.

Q: I can't make it to the immersion weekends. can i still participate in the worship school?

A. Unfortunately, no. There are plenty of books and places you can go online to find information about worship and worship leading. That is not what Sons & Daughters is. This is not about information but transformation, which we believe happens most effectively through relational connection. We are inviting you into relationship – to be a part of the Sons & Daughters family. The cost is greater, the demand is more, but the rewards are infinitely more rich. 

Q: What should I expect for the immersion weekends?

A. Each immersion weekend takes place in a beautiful retreat setting. The weekends are structured in a way that increases the likelihood of engagement with the material, with one another, and with God. Our goal is to build a family that lives on mission. There will be times of teaching, group discussions, opportunities to worship together,  fun activities to participate in, an abundance of delicious food, and hopefully a great deal of spiritual enrichment and personal growth.

Q: what do I need to bring to the immersion weekends?

A: Depending on what time of year it is, bring what you'd need to be comfortable both indoors and outdoors during that season. Bring comfortable clothing, toiletries, a sleeping bag, a pillow, a Bible and, if you want to bring an instrument, feel free. If you've got specific dietary needs, we’ll do our best to accommodate you for meals, but you may want to bring your own snacks. 

Q: What is the workload outside of the immersions and weekly gatherings?

A. We will be reading several books over the course of the 9 months (1-2 each track). Weekly reading is typically between 15-20 pages. The purpose of the reading is less about information and more about transformation. The challenge will be to listen for the one thing that God’s getting our attention with. During the weekly gatherings, our conversation is guided by this fundamental question: What is God saying to me? And what am I going to do about it? The homework is meant to put what we’re hearing into action. We strongly urge our students to not wait until the last minute to the do the readings and assignments, but to dive into them immediately after each gathering, giving the Holy Spirit maximum access to our hearts and minds.

Q: I am not currently participating in a church music ministry. Can I still participate in the School?

A: Absolutely! However, it would be beneficial to your growth as a worship leader if you would pursue a relationship with the person(s) in charge of the music ministry at your home church. Let them know your heart for worship and that you are pursuing growth and discipleship with Sons & Daughters. We would be happy to have a conversation with them about what you are pursuing with us.

Q: What is the minimum level of skill needed to participate in the Worship School? 

A. At a minimum, you should be proficient with at least one musical instrument and/or your voice. Tracks 1-3 focus more on character formation, worship theology & philosophy, and leadership development than on music itself. However, the optional Track 4 provides more opportunities to grow in the hands-on skills of worship leadership - music theory, vocal technique, technology and software applications, basic song writing, recording & production skills, and much more.

Q:  WHAT should I expect AFTER my time in the school?

A. This will depend largely on the student and his/her level of ability, experience, and clarity of calling. At the very least, you should expect to have a good grasp on how to grow in your relationship with God, how to participate in a worship environment (leading and following), and how to apply a set of tools for ongoing discipleship and mission.

Q: Are you affiliated with a seminary or university?

A: At this point in time, Sons & Daughters is completely independent and will not, in any way, earn credit toward a degree or award. We believe deeply in our discipleship methodology (as opposed to conventional classroom/lectures alone), have witnessed incredible transformation and growth in the lives of the students we’ve served, and are patiently praying about and seeking prospective partnerships.

Q: Can I give a donation to support this ministry? 

A: Absolutely! From operations to scholarships, we only survive through the sacrificial generosity of those who believe in this ministry. You can send a check made out to “Sons & Daughters Worship School” to Sons & Daughters, 9920 Red Twig Place, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. (If you would like to make a donation in support of a specific student, please DO NOT write their name on the check. Simply include a note containing the name of the student whom you’d like to support.) You can also make one-time or monthly online donations by clicking here.