A Primer on Christian Worship Where We`ve Been, Where We Are, Where We Can Go

includes index and biblioraphy

1. Introduction: God`s Invitation i Worship: God`s Work and Ours i How Culture Shapes Worship 3 The Importance of Focusing on Worship Practices 5 The Relationship between Scripture and Worship 7 The Approach This Book Takes 12 A Note on Worship and Today`s Media Culture 13 2. Looking Back: Worship in the Middle Ages and the Reformation 17 The Symbolism of Medieval Worship 19 The Elements of the Medieval Mass 24 Medieval Efforts to Stimulate Deeper Faith -and Their Abuse 27 The Reformation and the Quest for a Purified Worship 33 Martin Luther 33 John Calvin 35 Conclusion 40 3. From Then Till Now: How Styles of Spirituality Shape Current Christian Worship 44 What, Then, Is Worship? 44 Styles of Christian Worship in the Protestant Tradition 50 Worship and Spirituality in Puritan New England 52 The Free Church Style: Worship and Spirituality in the Gathered Church 55 The Revival Style of Worship and Spirituality 58 Worship as Christian Nurture 61 The Pentecostal Style of Worship 63 Conclusion: The Contemporary Situation 66 4. Holy, Holy, Holy: The Trinitarian Character of Worship 73 How Trinitarian Worship Shapes Theological Reflection 74 Exploring the Trinitarian Structure of Worship 77 The Gift of the Glory of God 78 Participation in God`s Glory, Invited and Enabled by Christ 82 Spiritual Formation Empowered by the Holy Spirit 87 Conclusion 90 5. The Narrative Shape of Worship:Telling the Story of God`s Love 95 The Narratives of Our Lives 99 Contextual Issues 100 Substantial Issues 102 The Significance of These Issues for Worship 104 Worship: God`s Narrative and Ours 106 The Gathering 107 The Service of the Word of God 109 The Eucharist or Communion 111 The Sending 113 Conclusion: On the Form of Worship 114 6. The Lessons of Worship: Practicing What We Believe 119 The Polity of the Christian Life: What Orders Our Life Together? 120 The Lessons of the Liturgy 125 The Liturgy Teaches Hospitality 125 The Liturgy Teaches Reconciliation and Love 127 The Liturgy Allows Us to Lament 129 The Liturgy Joins Us into a New Community 131 In the Liturgy We Honor God`s Material Creation 133 Conclusion 136 7. Conclusion: New Forms, New Actions:Renewing the Practices of Worship 138 Worship and Aesthetics: Moving Out of the Rut 139 Five Steps for Renewing Worship 144 Reflect on the History and Character of Your Congregation 144 Review and Reflect on the Liturgy 145 Listen to the Culture 146 Release the Poets 149 Re-imagine Worship 151