Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital Worship for the 21st Century

About this book

This new book on worship by renowned hymn writer and professor Ruth C. Duck provides theological foundations for worship and explores the variety of ways Christians have adapted worship to various cultures to help them live faithfully and to communicate the Gospel to others. The author celebrates the many languages and cultural settings in which the Gospel has been and is preached sung and prayed. The goal of this volume is to support good pastoral and congregational reflection on what worship is and does. Consequently Duck discusses many different forms of worship from several cultures (African-American Asian Euro-American) and offers advice on how to read a congregation and define its culture in order to plan culturally appropriate worship. Although the book does not offer prescriptive formulas or advise a single pattern of worship it includes many practical suggestions for preparing and leading worship including diverse ministries of music movement and visual arts that are becoming more popular today. From worships theological underpinnings the book turns to worship leadership forms of prayer preaching the sacraments ordination and various other liturgies. Because of its emphasis on vital and Spirit-led worship this comprehensive book on Christian worship will be used in years to come not only as a core textbook for seminarians and ministry students from a variety of cultures and traditions but also as a resource for local church pastors and laity who are dedicated to the enlivening of Christian worship.