Christian Ministry

"Fr. Richard S. Vosko proposes, in a relational way, that when all physical and psychological boundaries in a place of worship are removed, people will discover a common ground. Building on theological foundations and design principles, Vosko envisions what an egalitarian "servant church" can look like"-- Provided by publisher.

This practical, how-to book will help churches plan and implement passionate and invigorating worship. Step by step, author Lester Ruth and contributors Zachary Barnes, Andrew Eastes, Jonathan Ottaway, Adam Perez, Glenn Stallsmith, and Deborah Wong break down the process of re-thinking what the official or recommended order of worship is truly suggesting, so pastors and worship leaders can plan and lead a service of Word and Table that feels genuinely relevant and attuned to the congregation's culture. With this goal, Flow casts a new, but classic, understanding of traditional worship as well as spurs a reconsideration of how contemporary worship can be done by honoring the traditions of denominational congregations.

Why do we do what we do in worship? Why do we sing, read Scripture, and preach sermons?The Formational Power of Worship contends that these questions and others like them are the very ones pastors, musicians, and other ministry leaders should be asking. For these leaders, meaningful worship can also be intentional worship, engaging both the heart and the mind so that people can be shaped into disciples of Christ. This book invites you to begin this journey of why by examining different elements of worship and exploring how they can better become formational moments in the life of the church.

World-renowned theologian Jeremy Begbie has been at the forefront of teaching and writing on theology and the arts for more than twenty years. Amid current debates and discussions on the topic, Begbie emphasizes the role of a biblically grounded creedal orthodoxy as he shows how Christian theology and the arts can enrich each other. Throughout the book, Begbie demonstrates the power of classic trinitarian faith to bring illumination, surprise, and delight whenever it engages with the arts.

This book shines a new light on how people who make music for worship also make worship from music. Based on interviews with more than 75 songwriters, worship leaders, and music industry executives, Shout to the Lord maps the social dimensions of sacred practice, illuminating how the producers of worship music understand the role of songs as both vehicles for, and practices of, faith and identity. This book accounts for the human qualities of religious experience and the practice of worship, and it makes a compelling case for how - sometimes - faith comes by hearing.