Worship at Pittsburgh Seminary
The Worship Program seeks to facilitate opportunities for students to discover themselves and their own experience within the larger context of Christ’s redemptive work through the church. The practice of planning, leading, and reflecting upon worship services in a theologically and culturally diverse community constitutes an irreplaceable formative environment for all whom God calls to ministry of any kind. By encouraging a rich understanding of one’s own worship traditions and practices, as well as an understanding of and appreciation for the traditions and practices of others, the Worship Program forms students into a grace-filled agility that allows them to engage worship across the diversity of the body of Christ. This fosters critical thinking through which they may confidently wrestle with theological convictions and liturgical practices that are different from those in which they find themselves at home such that they grow in their ability to work and worship within ecumenical contexts.
Through the Worship Program, students have opportunity to practice and experiment, to be pastorally cared for, and to express faith and identity, all while gaining an understanding that worship is not centered on us, but rather is for the sake of God. While theological education is largely aimed at training students in the skills needed for professional ministry, we believe that the goal of the seminary is first and foremost to know God truly and that worship is essential to knowing God.
Invitation to Worship
All are welcome to join in the worship life at PTS—both from within and beyond the PTS community.
Corporate worship is held in Hicks Memorial Chapel and available via livestream on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. when classes are in session.
We engage a wide variety of worship practices including (but not limited to) Morning Prayer, Taizé, praise and worship, services of the Word, services of healing and wholeness, and services of Holy Communion. Worship is planned and led by students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Students also host Bible study and prayer groups on- and off-campus.
Special services are held throughout the academic year, which reflect the liturgical calendar and the life of the community.
Learn more about worship leadership opportunities.
Contact the Worship Program
The Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith ‘12/’13
Director of the Worship Program
412-924-1419