Book Description
A clear, engaging description of the six most prevalent models of worship in North American churches, presented by advocates for each position. The contributors evaluate each position in order to broaden people’s understanding of diverse models and shed light on an emotive issue.
Customer Reviews:
A book that you should read before starting a worship service........2007-05-09
Exsploring the worship spectrum is a very advanced look at how worship has changed in today's world. You may be a pastor that has only been exsposed to one style of music all your life. In this book, you may realize that there is no right or wrong way to worship God. Each church makes a descision on how they want to apporach the throne of grace. This book gives a layout for each style of worship as well as the points and counter points that go with each view. This book is a must have to truly understand what it means to worship God.
Worship Spectrum.......2007-05-04
First let me mention that the product arrived very timely and as described.
The book is a bit too lengthy if you asked me. I would have preferred more of a concise interview style narrative. However the information was incredible, and the multiple perspectives were great.
It does what it claims.......2006-12-16
Zondervan has been publishing the Counterpoints Series edited by Paul E. Engle in which conflicting views of different topics are laid out in one volume. Each view has a prominent author compiling arguments supporting it, and then each alternate view's author writes an evaluation of the arguments. Exploring the Worship Spectrum: 6 Views was edited by Paul A. Basden, and it presents six views of worship: formal-liturgical, traditional hymn-based, contemporary, charismatic, blended, and emergent.
The strength of this book lies in having in one place the concise reasoning for each view as presented by its supporters. One can reference quickly the primary arguments for certain worship styles as argued by those who promote and use them. Furthermore, with a critique of each argument available, one can easily assimilate a vast amount of information and views on the topic. In this area, the book excels, although one must read the entire book to access all of the arguments and views pertaining to each style of worship. Embedded in many of the critiques are further supporting arguments for each view, so one will not have the entire picture through reading only the chapter pertaining to his or her area of interest.
The weakness of the book is an extension of its strength, and can be summed up best by Best: "The current worship scene, to my way of thinking, is more an apples/oranges affair than a right/wrong one." (p. 237). One almost gets the idea that the writers are all part of a gentleman's club and are afraid to really stand against the shortcomings of the other views, although some genuine differences do surface. They spend so much time patting each other on the back that it gets rather tedious by the end of the book.
A second weakness of the book is that it fails to really deal with the fact that the theology of worship cannot be compartmentalized from other theological and practical views. Every contributing author presents solid arguments for theocentric worship; so why does this all look different? Charismatic worship is founded upon the Spirit emphasis theology of charismaticism and the view that I Corinthians 14 is the model for NT worship. Emergent worship denies the superiority of the written and spoken word as it plunges into the realm of the arts. Blended worship presented a view that was, quite frankly, not rooted in the reality of what is actually blended worship--the mixing of traditional and contemporary to make everyone happy (practical pragmatism). Hymn-based worship rests upon church tradition and the greatness of hymn texts with the practical use of the hymnal, while liturgical worship focuses on the transcendence of God and the Eucharist. Contemporary worship is most concerned with relevance and evangelism. The theological bent of each group contributes to their ultimate view of worship, but this is glossed over.
A further theme that surfaces time and again: the church lost connection with the generations coming of age in the second half of the 20th century. From each author who espoused this view, it smacks of pride: what is so different about the last couple generations that make them special? Somehow Protestant believers kept the old and incorporated the new for 500 years, but now the old was out; the church was the problem. I would submit that the real problem was twofold: [1] mainline churches had no saving gospel, so their progeny rejected a false church (in other words, their gospel, or lack thereof, was the problem, not their worship), and [2] the progeny were immersed in the world and would not leave it behind, therefore a new church and worship paradigm--one that would allow them to live in their previous entertainment and lifestyle with "Jesus" attached. Neither one of these areas (the theological problems with mainline churches and the rebellious worldliness of those claiming to be saved) are addressed, and both of them have a tremendous impact on the current worship landscape.
At the end of the day, everyone is OK, and we all feel good about each other; that is the message of the book. It does, however, give what it sets out to do: six views of worship. May God give us the wisdom and knowledge to understand what He desires from us as worshippers, and the grace and humility to be open to the weaknesses of our own view.
Helpful, but Probably Not Everything You Are Looking For.......2006-07-19
My guess is that if you're thinking of buying a book by this title, you have probably been bothered greatly by the worship wars of the past couple of decades. Further you're probably wondering who, if anyone, is right. Most of all, you're probably wanting to figure out what, if anything, you can do about it, if not in a church-wide sense, at least in the sense of how you personally should worship, what kind of church you should be attending, and so forth. You won't find these questions answered here.
Pretty much all the contributors here follow the same pattern and have the same problems. The pattern: They wax eloquent about the nature and importance of worship. (I don't mean that totally sarcastically. Some of these guys really are eloquent.) Then they move into what they and the participants in their preferred worship styles are particularly concerned with -- the things they want to accomplish, the problems they want to correct. Then they spend some time describing what their preferred worship "looks like." The problems: The actual connection between the goal of the worship stlye and the methods used in the worship is rarely made clear. What's worse, pretty much every "worshiper" here claims much the same goals, such as "bringing the congregation into an awareness of the presence of God." But never do any of the writers actually say clearly how their own particular style accomplishes these goals in a particularly effective way.
Nevertheless, the book is not entirely unhelpful. Though the writer's are not particularly good apologists for their own styles, they are pretty representative of the mindsets behind the communities that support each style. So, even though you probably won't find here any compelling reason to abandon (or retain) your own preferred style of worship, you may come away form "Exploring the Worship Spectrum" with a better understanding of why your spiritual brethren might want to worship differently form you.
The tone of the book is usually warm and genial. The fur flies occasionally, but most of the authors are pretty respectful most of the time. The one unforutnate exception to this rule is Sally Morganthaler and her defense of worship in the "emerging church." I was actually most interested in reading her contribution because, after hearing of "the emerging church" quite a bit, I still don't know what it's really about. And after reading this book, I still haven't the foggiest. But I could not stomach Morganthaler's unremitting arrogance. As far as I can tell from her writing here, she thinks the emerging church is the first and only church to get worship "right" since the Reformation or before. I also object to her apparently uncritical embrace of postmodern culture. (I also object to anyone uncritically believing that there actually is such a thing as postmodernism in the first place, but that's a much longer story.) Also, she seems quite erudite regarding modern media, but entirely ignorant of the work on its potentially debilitating effects done by Marshall McLuhan, Neil Postman, and, from a Christian perspective, Os Guiness. (Though she does at least know the title of McLuhann's book.) So she wants us all to get with electronic music and digital images, and she reflexively (as far as I can tell) attributes any and every preference shown by the other writers for more traditional church music to nothing but bias, pure and simple. She is completely unfair in this regard.
So, what you will get here is a sampling of pretty good representatives (Morganthaler excluded) of most of the important worship movements in evangelical Christianity today. Which, I guess, is an OK thing. I give it three stars.
Protestant Disdain for the Sacred Liturgy.......2006-06-04
I wholeheartedly agree with the reviewer who expressed dismay with Rev. Paul Zahl's totally unsympathetic "defense" of the liturgical tradition in Christian worship. I was not, however, at all surprised. Rev. Zahl is Dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, the most ultra-evangelical seminary in the US Episcopal Church. Trinity, its faculty and its dean have no use for their own church's catholic, sacramental and liturgical heritage.
A much better, fairer account of the liturgical tradition would have been given if a Catholic liturgist like Aidan Kavenaugh had been selected, or an Orthodox scholar like Thomas Hopko. But if only Protestants were welcome, then a high church Episcopalian like Arnold Klukas, Marion Hatchett or J. Robert Wright would have been infinitely preferable to the crypto-Baptist, Rev. Zahl.
Book Description
As a troubadour for global music and an instigator of cross-cultural worship for more than 15 years in a variety of denominational settings, including congregational, national, and international venues, Michael Hawn has observed many faithful people who find that a taste of Pentecost in worship is refreshing and invigorating. In One Bread, One Body: Exploring Cultural Diversity in Worship, Hawn seeks to help bridge the gap between the human tendency to prefer ethnic and cultural homogeneity in worship and the church's mandate to offer a more diverse and inclusive experience. He offers a rainbow vision of the universal church where young and old joyfully and thoughtfully respond to the movement of God's Spirit in multicultural worship.
Hawn and four colleagues from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas formed a diverse team in ethnicity, gender, academic field of study, and denominational affiliation to study four United Methodist congregations in the Dallas area that are grappling with cross-cultural ministry. Their four case studies illustrate both the pain and the possibilities encountered in capturing the Spirit of Pentecost in worship. Hawn also offers a concise and practical theological framework as well as numerous strategies and an extensive bibliography for implementing "culturally conscious worship." This book is invaluable for congregations that want to undertake the hard work of cross-cultural worship.
Customer Reviews:
Timely delivery.......2006-11-09
I has no problem with the seller, the item came sooner than expected, always a plus
Thanks
Customer Reviews:
An excellent resource for worship leaders, pastors and lay members.......2007-01-03
I have read many good books on praise and worship. However, I rate this one at the top of the list. It is very easy to comprehend and practical. The additional workbook and/or video can assist one better in teaching a class over a short period of time. There are lessons in the workbook with questions at the end of each chapter. I have taught from this book for years as my main resource and used other books and supplements. At any rate, it is excellent as a stand alone or with its other tools.
Nothing Better.......2000-03-29
This is an awesome book. If you want to know what Praise & Worship is and why we do it Read this Book. If you want to know how to live a lifestyle of a worshiper... read this book. This book biblically explains a lot of misconceptions about Praise and Worship.
This book is a MUST READ for all christians.
very practicle book.......1999-09-19
please i would like a spanish version of Exploring Worship or a list of the available translations
One of the most practial guides for leaders in the Church.......1999-01-02
After more than a dozen years Exploring Worship remains the standard for many Bible colleges and fellowships all over the world, as a text of understanding the dynamics of the worship movement and how worship leaders, teams and pastors can relate with one another to usher the people of God into His presence. Exploring Worship, written right in the midst of the most significant period of time in church music since Charles Wesley, serves as a guide and practical tool to move the team from simply singing songs to encountering the presence of the Lord! For this reason, along with many others, we have chosen to use Exploring Worship and its companion workbook, as a primary text in our worship institute. If you were to read just one book on this subject, this should be the one! Exploring Worship is destined to be a classic in the Church.
Average customer rating:
- VERY GOOD
- Also Listed on Amazon as "Exploring Worship Practical"
|
Exploring Worship: Practical Guide to Praise and Worship
B. Sorge
Manufacturer: Son-Rise Publications & Distribution Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0936369043 |
Customer Reviews:
VERY GOOD.......1998-02-25
I found this book to be very informative and practical as was the author's intent. I enjoyed it thoroughly. PS! This book is available if needed by anyone. Also I am looking for a very new book of music score - "Chosen One" - Youth Alive / Hillsong. Please advise if you can help, I didn't find it in your catalogue.
Also Listed on Amazon as "Exploring Worship Practical".......1998-02-25
This book, listed here as "hard to find," is also listed on Amazon under the title "Exploring Worship Practical," without the author's name, but under Oasis Publishing. It can be ordered from that site.
Book Description
One of the most moving passages in the Bible is Jesus' High-Priestly prayer for His own in John 17, in which our Lord turns over His mission to His disciples. Here also unfold the majestic themes of our assurance of salvation, our union with Him, and His loving care for all who believe in Him.
When you are discouraged, uncertain, or anxious, you can turn to this passage for comfort and reassurance--and find that the Lord Jesus Christ has already claimed you as His own. Before you were born, before the world was made, those who belong to Him were destined for an eternal inheritance.
In this masterful, verse-by-verse exposition of our Savior's prayer--originally four books and now brought together in one volume--the great preacher and Bible teacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones gleans timeless truths of the faith for Christians today. With rare insight and power, Dr. Lloyd-Jones lays before us the richness, the depth, the wonder--and the assurance--of God's plan of salvation and sanctification.
Customer Reviews:
Biblical Exposition At Its Best.......2007-09-26
This book is a good expostion of the prayer that forms part of the Farewell Discourse. It contains much needed insight and exhortation.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was the Westminster Chapel preacher for more than 30 years and had a couple of 'downers' thru his career.
1. He preached that the Baptism of the Spirit was not part of
regeneration. That won him favor with Charismatics, as this supports
their view of the special second 'Anointing'.
2. He therefore did not believe in Cessationism and said it was
'quenching the Holy Spirit.' Which made him oppose the Puritans that
he did so much for in making them known.
3. Early in his career at a Evangelical Conference he was rebuked by
John Stott publicly for proposing they all up 'n leave the Anglican
Church. He continued with this all his life.
So it was against 'ecumenism' that Lloyd-Jones stood primarily. Yet his theology was Prostestant, and not exclusively Reformed.
A valuable contribution, from a point of view that expounding the text brought honor to God, regardless of his personal views.
Book Description
Pirates, Patches, and Parrots!
What unexpected markers do you find along your faith journey, ones that lead you closer to God? In Swashbuckling Faith , author and former pastor Tim Wesemann helps you find surprising doorways to God’s truth in the scenes and dialogue of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series. Created merely to entertain, these movies find Captain Jack Sparrow and his cohorts unintentionally leaving behind traces of truth ready to be explored and expanded in light of the Bible. Wesemann springboards from these glimpses to explore scriptural lessons on faith, prayer, contentment, spiritual warfare, forgiveness, hope, and much more. When your biblical perception starts finding treasures of truth in popular culture and everyday occurrences, you’ll set sail for the adventure of a lifetime!
“Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir.”
Captain Jack Sparrow (that’s Johnny Depp, to you lovers of cinema) is the charming pirate in the popular Pirates of the Caribbean movies that buried Hollywood in gold. The films captured imaginations young and old, but now Tim Wesemann invites you to depart on an even greater adventure—for real!
Following the treasure map of God’s Word, this dangerous exploration will reveal priceless gems of not-so-buried, no-so-pirate booty! You’ll uncover hidden traces of truth and priceless pearls of faith. Lessons on prayer, contentment, spiritual warfare, forgiveness, and hope will awaken you to messages your true Captain is conveying all around you. Because even a pirate movie, looked at through new lenses, can point the way to tangible riches of biblical truth.
“Funny and whimsical with just a touch of sheer insanity.”
Dr. Timothy Paul Jones
Pastor and author of Finding God in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
“Shiver me timbers! As a parent of teens and preteens, I can’t wait to share these briny depths of faith and inspiration with my family!”
Tricia Goyer
Award-winning author of Life Interrupted
“A veritable treasure trove of wisdom and piratey-good fun that’s not only entertaining to read, but draws you closer to God.”
Mike Nappa
Bestselling and award-winning author
“Swashbuckling Faith is a fresh, funny, and surprisingly rich book that falls somewhere between a devotional and a pirate manual.”
Dave Meurer
Author of If You Want Breakfast in Bed, Sleep in the Kitchen
“Full of life-changing, priceless gems from God’s Word. You’ll be ‘hooked!’”
Rhonda Rhea
Radio personality, humor columnist, author of Who
Put the Cat in the Fridge
Story Behind the Book
Tim Wesemann is not a pirate, nor does he act as one on TV. While “swashbuckler” may not appear on his resume, he loves exploring for biblical treasure and often discovers it where you might least expect it—including a secular movie with pirates who pillage, plunder, and pilfer. Even scenes and dialogue from Pirates of the Caribbean served to help grow his faith in God. While the movie is a favorite in the Wesemann household, Tim also draws from past experiences as a pastor and his present insights as a fulltime Christian author and speaker.
Customer Reviews:
Creative and inspiring.......2006-11-05
This book is an excellent and entertaining devotional for Christians. Swashbuckling faith uses examples from the movie to help us learn more about God's love for us through Jesus. The author has an amazing way of drawing you in to the topic very creatively as he brings spiritual truths to light in a very practicaly way. I highly recommend this book for Christians young and old.
A book for the Jack Sparrows in all of us.......2006-09-20
Pirates of the Caribbean, the original Disney movie, had plenty of supernatural elements to it. But is there anything we can learn from it about Christian living? In Swashbuckling Faith, former pastor Tim Wesemann contends that there are pearls of truth throughout the film worthy of our exploration.
The book contains 32 brief chapters, each a lesson using the movie's plot as a springboard (or plank) for discussion. Each chapter begins with a "pirate's hook," a snapshot from the movie illustrated the pearl of truth. The topics range from honoring codes and mutiny to captains needing crews and trusting our anchor.
Perhaps my favorite treasure/lesson in the book was "One Good Deed Deserves..." In the movie, Commodore Norrington tells Jack, "One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness." Wesemann pillages this spiritual truth wonderfully: "Maybe a better question is whether one good act should redeem us from a lifetime of iniquity." (30)
With almost any book of this nature, one naturally expects a certain amount of cheesiness. While there are cheesy elements in Swashbuckling Faith (such as the JSV Bible translation- Jack Sparrow Version), it's kept at an appropriate level without going too far over board. Tim Wesemann is a poetic writer who skillfully navigates the deeper waters of living faith. Avast me heartys, this be a fun and practical read whether yer landlubbin or out to sea. Now, bring me that horizon...
Treasure in its own right!!.......2006-09-19
Tim Wesemann has a writing style that leads a reader down a comfortable journey. In this book he outlines the treasures and the choppy waters we can face as we walk a Christian life. The journey in this book is wonderfully humorous but just as equally inspiring. If you are looking to mature in your faith, this book can certainly fit the bill in an entertaining way. The only problem is that it was such an easy read that I finished it way too fast. Now I'll have to go back and read it again and again (what a problem to have)!
Pardon me while I stand up and applaud !.......2006-09-16
Who ever would have thought that Jack Sparrow's piratical ways could have meaning for a Christian ? Tim Wesemann creatively combines spiritual truths with humor and an unmistakable passion for furthering his and our relationship with God.It's like being handed a map for your faith ! Dig up this treasure....And be a good little pirate and share the gems with your friends.
Errrrrrrrrh, What a fabulous Book.......2006-07-02
This is a book that I just couldn't put down. It was a real boost to my faith. It was entertaining, interesting, challenging and faith building. I will go back to it again and again for encouragement and fun. I can't recommend it enough.
Average customer rating:
|
Prayer (Exploring a Great Spiritual Practice)
Richard W. Chilson
Manufacturer: Sorin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Spirituality
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Inspirational
| Spirituality
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Prayer
| Spirituality
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Worship
| Christian Living
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Meditation (Exploring a Great Spiritual Practice)
ASIN: 1893732975 |
Book Description
Exploring Music as Worship and Theology addresses a central challenge to liturgical scholars and pastoral leaders-how to understand the diverse, culturally shaped worship patterns that exist in our multi-cultural church. It situates music as a central lens through which to explore a community's liturgical practice, and offers a practical method for studying and interpreting the lived experience of a musical-liturgical assembly.
Exploring Music as Worship and Theology invites greater attention to the diverse cultural music emerging in our various Christian assemblies, and underscores the need for greater dialogue between our theories of liturgy, music, and the actual practice of local communities.
Chapters are "Interdisciplinary Orientations to Musical-Liturgical Practice," "The Research Process," and "Creative Dialogue with Liturgical Studies."
Customer Reviews:
Amazon got it right!!.......2006-08-19
I tried to buy this from a third party through Amazon and I never got my book. Amazon made sure I got my refund and I ended up buying from them directly for nearly the same price because of a sale. They got the book to me before I knew it.....
New insights and wisdom on Christian faith.......2003-04-07
The latest entry into the outstanding Liturgical Press "American Essays in Liturgy" series, Exploring Music As Worship And Theology: Research In Liturgical Practice by Mary E. McGann offers the reader a seminal essay written especially for liturgical scholars and pastoral leaders. Exploring Music As Worship And Theology is focused on the concept and importance of the music emerging from Christian assembly and worship, and calls for greater dialogue between theories of liturgy/music and the actual practice. Ruminating on the role of music as a focus point to expand worship to reach out to diverse, multi-cultural views, Exploring Music As Worship And Theology offers new insights and wisdom on Christian faith and practice as expressed in Christian music and music making.
Books:
- Faith-Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik
- Father God: Co-creator to Mother God
- For Everything a Season: Simple Musings on Living Well
- Getting to Commitment: Overcoming the 8 Greatest Obstacles to Lasting Connection (And Finding the Courage to Love)
- Godless: The Church of Liberalism
- Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature
- Hands Are Not for Hitting
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- International Financial Management
- Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Beh
- The Ice Beneath You: A Novel
- The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero
- The Writer's Guide to Writing Your Screenplay: How to Write Great Screenplays for Movies and Televis
- Cannery Row
- A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific
- The Castilian Crisis of the Seventeenth Century: New Perspectives on the Economic and Social History
- Time Management: For People With No Time
- The Directory of Business to Business Catalogs 2002: A Comprehensive Source to Meet Most Day-To-Day
Worship Old and New
Worship by the Book
Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the Turn-of-the-Century Culture
Engaging With God: A Biblical Theology of Worship
The Great Worship Awakening: Singing a New Song in the Postmodern Church
