Worship Matters Vol. 2: A United Methodist Guide to Worship Work

Rating:
Summary: More worthy matters...
Review: This is the second volume of a two volume set entitled 'Worship Matters', edtied by E. Byron (Ron) Anderson. While this guide is specifically designed for United Methodists (the subtitle reads 'A United Methodist Guide to Ways of Worship') it nonetheless provides information and suggestions that are helpful across many denominations, and I find the books useful in my designing services at my chaplaincy, which is an ecumenical ministry.

Whereas Volume I has a theological orientation to it, this volume has a more practical aspect. The first section examines the participants and leaders in the worship service - planning team, readers, acolytes, music leaders, communion servers, ushers, branching out into areas where churches might not yet have ventured by including subsections on liturgical dancers, media ministers, and visual artists. Each of these subsections examines things in a format easy for participants to use - many ask key questions and given direct, practical answers that make sense liturgically and theologically.

The second section looks at issues of architecture and spacial design. This section is particularly helpful for congregations considering redesign or new building plans. Bringing into focus the key practices of baptism, communion, and preaching, as well as the practical matters of storage and set up areas, this section is useful for those even not planning such grand redesigns, but may be inspired in the discussion to make minor alternations that can actually be significant.

The final section of this volume is the most direct, how-to section of the two volumes. How to introduce new hymns, how to include children in worship, how to plan for services in different contexts - these are questions asked on a regular basis in many congregations. These subsections provide practical answers leading to more satisfying and enriching worship for all concerned.

The two volumes are books meant to be read together, and really used - to this end, permission is given to photocopy sections for sharing in congregations and worship groups. Groups and communities reading together can gain insight and build upon this common ground for enriching and deepening their own worship experiences. The writing is engaging, educational without being unnecessarily academic or theoretical, and in many ways inspirational, as familiar and traditional things are examined in new ways.

The editor, E. Byron (Ron) Anderson, also contributed several articles to the work. Honesty requires me to declare my bias - he is a friend of mine, and I had several courses with him both as instructor and as his teaching assistant over several years. He was at the time of writing professor of worship and director of community worship at my seminary. He has since gone on to Garrett Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he continues to educate future leaders in the skills and importance of liturgy, worship, spirituality and theology.

Rating:
Summary: More worthy matters...
Review: This is the second volume of a two volume set entitled 'Worship Matters', edtied by E. Byron (Ron) Anderson. While this guide is specifically designed for United Methodists (the subtitle reads 'A United Methodist Guide to Ways of Worship') it nonetheless provides information and suggestions that are helpful across many denominations, and I find the books useful in my designing services at my chaplaincy, which is an ecumenical ministry.

Whereas Volume I has a theological orientation to it, this volume has a more practical aspect. The first section examines the participants and leaders in the worship service - planning team, readers, acolytes, music leaders, communion servers, ushers, branching out into areas where churches might not yet have ventured by including subsections on liturgical dancers, media ministers, and visual artists. Each of these subsections examines things in a format easy for participants to use - many ask key questions and given direct, practical answers that make sense liturgically and theologically.

The second section looks at issues of architecture and spacial design. This section is particularly helpful for congregations considering redesign or new building plans. Bringing into focus the key practices of baptism, communion, and preaching, as well as the practical matters of storage and set up areas, this section is useful for those even not planning such grand redesigns, but may be inspired in the discussion to make minor alternations that can actually be significant.

The final section of this volume is the most direct, how-to section of the two volumes. How to introduce new hymns, how to include children in worship, how to plan for services in different contexts - these are questions asked on a regular basis in many congregations. These subsections provide practical answers leading to more satisfying and enriching worship for all concerned.

The two volumes are books meant to be read together, and really used - to this end, permission is given to photocopy sections for sharing in congregations and worship groups. Groups and communities reading together can gain insight and build upon this common ground for enriching and deepening their own worship experiences. The writing is engaging, educational without being unnecessarily academic or theoretical, and in many ways inspirational, as familiar and traditional things are examined in new ways.

The editor, E. Byron (Ron) Anderson, also contributed several articles to the work. Honesty requires me to declare my bias - he is a friend of mine, and I had several courses with him both as instructor and as his teaching assistant over several years. He was at the time of writing professor of worship and director of community worship at my seminary. He has since gone on to Garrett Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he continues to educate future leaders in the skills and importance of liturgy, worship, spirituality and theology.