The Ministries of Christian Worship (Library of Christian Worship: Volume 7)
Overview
In the past two decades the Christian community has experienced a dynamic rebirth as churches around the world have turned their hearts and minds toward a deeper understanding of what it means to worship the Living God. The Complete Library of Christian Worship brings the theory and reality of worship together in an educational, applicational, and inspirational package. The Ministries of Christian Worship is a complete and fully applicable resource for church workers with diverse backgrounds and functions. The editors and contributors offer sections that address worship and pastoral care, spiritual formation, education, hospitality, evangelism, justice and mercy, hospital and terminal care, and social action. A special section is devoted to worship services for children and teenagers.
Top Highlights
“The church believes that the parents are the best teachers of children on how to worship and of what it means to worship God as a family. It is especially important for boys to see worship modeled by their fathers.” (Page 14)
“At its best, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper proclaims the gospel through its material elements (bread and wine) and its actions (thanksgiving, offering, and receiving). The Lord’s Supper nourishes believers; Christians speak of receiving the body and blood of Christ in the rite. Yet there is more to the Lord’s Supper than nourishment; the action of gathering about the Table of the Lord who invited all sinners to the Table ought to play a role in spiritual formation. Thus, liturgical action can inform the process of growing in Christ.” (Page 320)
“For many Pentecostals, the promise of the Spirit’s outpouring” (Page 13)
“It is a forward-looking orientation, rather than an orientation arising out of sin, darkness, and a need to fix. The difference is subtle, but significant. Every renewal effort arises from the desire to support human beings in their journey toward becoming one with the God who so loves them. Arising from this desire, our renewal will be about wholeness and holiness, about passion and life, about involvement and commitment to all that God has created us to be.” (Page 248)
“Corporate worship forms a community into the body of Christ and has great influence in shaping the spirituality of its members. Every worshiping community has a great responsibility for how this influence is wielded. Communities that take seriously their corporate worship life will find great benefits in the spiritual growth and vitality of individual members.” (Page 330)
Product Details
- Title: The Ministries of Christian Worship (Library of Christian Worship: Volume 7)
- Author: Robert Webber
- Publisher: Star Song
- Publication Date: 1994
Robert Webber (1933–2007) was known for his work on worship and the early church. The son of a Baptist minister, Webber was raised in the Belgian Congo where his parents were missionaries. He studied at Bob Jones University, Reformed Episcopal Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Concordia Seminary.
Webber taught theology at Wheaton College for 32 years and was the Myers Professor of Ministry at Northern Seminary. In 1998, as a part of the Convergence Movement, Webber founded The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies school which focused exclusively on worship education.
Later in his life, Webber took a special interest in Christian worship practice and wrote and edited more than 40 books on this topic including the Ancient-Future series and The Complete Library of Christian Worship.
Reviews
2 ratings
Ralph A. Abernethy III
9/7/2017
Glenn Crouch
5/20/2016
The 7th and final volume in this quite impressive and useful series on Christian Worship. Whilst I have read the 7 volumes in sequence, this is a fine reference work, and one that I will be referring back to throughout my ministry. Like previous volumes, this one has an encyclopaedic approach - where each article is written by a different person - and thus, understandably, the reader will find a variance in the flow, readability and applicability. But overall quite good. Also like the previous volumes, the topics covered are covered from a variety of denominational approaches - and thus some may prefer to skip over items that have no or little application in their field of ministry. Also, like previous volumes, there is a strong American emphasis - but I didn't really find that too distracting - and most of the material still applies to other countries. Besides, as noted, just skip over the bits that don't apply to you. I did start this volume, curious as what would be covered - as I did think that pretty much everything had been covered in the first 6 volumes. So I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and variety of topics covered in this final volume. Of particular interest where the topics on Children's Ministry, Women in Worship, Cultural Diversity in Worship, Pastoral Care in Worship, Education in Worship, and much more. Highly recommended this and all volumes for all those involved in Christian Worship, especially Pastors :)
