Worship That Changes Lives: Multidisciplinary And Congregational Perspectives On Spiritual Transformation

Book Summary

Reflecting on Spiritual Transformation and Worship In the context of secularization, postmodernity, and new approaches to understanding the world and reality, many churches have begun to consider alternative ways of expressing and enacting the mystery and wonder of worship. "Worship That Changes Lives" provides thoughtful reflections on these developments. The contributors bring a wide range of cultural, theological, and psychological perspectives to the subject, focusing particularly on the often-overlooked relationship between worship and spiritual transformation. The first section of the book considers historical and theological perspectives on worship and spiritual growth, while the second examines the role of the arts in facilitating that development. The chapters of the final section consider, from several perspectives, the results of studies of spiritual experience in worship (crossing both cultural and denominational boundaries). This volume makes a unique contribution, at once practical and academic, to the contemporary discussion. The authors offer multifaceted perspectives on the importance of developing worship that encourages spiritual transformation in the community of faith. Contributors Alexis D. Abernethy Ryan K. Bolger Tyson Chung Alvin Dueck William Dyrness Todd Farley Jo-Ann Hoye Robert Johnston Roberta R. King Asha Ragin Charsie Sawyer Clayton J. Schmit Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet John D. Witvliet Kenneth C. Ulmer Recent years have seen widespread changes in worship, and numerous studies have considered the importance of those changes for the church. This volume offers a balanced and wide-ranging approach that focuses particularly on the relationship between worship and spiritual transformation.This book, the second in the new Engaging Worship series, is divided into three sections. The first considers the connections between worship and spiritual development, the second looks at the role of the arts in the church, and the third examines the results of multidenominational studies of spiritual experience in worship. The contributors offer a unique collection of perspectives, both practical and academic, on contemporary changes in the worship of the church. Professional and academic readers will find this an engaging and enlightening work.

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