REINVENTING SUNDAY: Breakthrough Ideas For Transforming Worship

REINVENTING SUNDAY: Breakthrough Ideas For Transforming Worship.
by Brad Berglund-director of Illuminated Journeys -an ecuminical ministry in Denver, Colorado.
(c) 2001 Judson Press pp.123 price 17.95

Introduction.
"Reinventing Sunday" is intendedto be an inspiratrional practical resource for those leading worship on a regular basis." p.xvii. Robert Webber has had an influence on this writers ministry.
THE PRELUDE
Ch.1. Understanding Worship.
Worship is opening our hearts to God. Creativity in worship helps people open their hearts. It is important to maintain an attitude of learning and be exposed to a variety of worship environments. The author distinquishes praise teams from worship teams
Ch.2. Starting on Purpose. The Lost Art of Preparation.
The ancient practice of making a pilrimage is becoming popular in our culture. Worship is a pilrimage. It involves pesonal and corporate preparation. e.g.Lent, the keeping of the Sabbath.
MOVEMENT ONE. GATHERING.
Ch. 3. Gathering and Greeting.
Suggestions are given for worshipers and worship leaders to make gathering and greeting more meaningful.
Ch.4. Praising and Singing.
A brief history is given about ,Christian, singing ,including congregational singing. A number of practical suggestions are made regarding ‘improving’ the congregational choir.
note; Each chapter has a ‘practical suggestions’ section.
Ch.5. Praying. (Response).
The various types of prayers are discussed,i.e. invocation, confession,etc. Creativity is helpful to keep repetition from becoming boring, e.g. The Lord’s Prayer.
MOVEMENT TWO. ENCOUNTERING.
Ch.6. Reading.
Attention should be given to clarity, articulation and appropriateness. Suggestions are made for the ‘how to’ of scripture reading.
Ch.7. The Preaching Moment.
"At its best, preaching is a sacrament, a holy and sacred action filled with evocative meaning." p.56. Again, practical suggestions are made about preaching.
MOVEMENT THREE. RESPONDING.
Ch. 8. Communion.
The author shares his experience as a young person regarding communion. He explains the significance of the symbolism of communion.
Ch.9. Giving.
The offering needs to be a part of worship. It is important that people be properly informed and if necessary educated in the place and purpose of our ‘offerings’ to God.
Ch.10. Baptism.
The significance of baptism is reviewed. In the suggestions section dedication is included with baptism.
MOVEMENT FOUR. EMBRACING.
Ch. 11. Embracing.
True service is characterized by humility. Those who serve need to be empowered and encouraged. For church people this needs to be a weekly experience, part of the gathering. Suggestions are made to cultivate "a spirit of service". p.80.
Ch.12. Benediction and Response.
"Sacred leave-taking needs to be ritualized and honored as a necessary part of the drama of worship."p.83.
POSTLUDE.
Ch.13 The Modulating Congregation.
This is all about change. As in music this change is best made smoothly with relevance. It will involve some dissonance and suspension (tension) but when resolution happens a goal has been accomplished. With change come varying levels of grieving which must be dealt with appropriately. "Change is inevitable but growth is a choice." p.91.
Ch. 14. Cleaning Up. Frequently Asked Questions.
A few actual questions are dealt with, e.g. What about children in worship? etc.
There are four Appendixes.
1. The Gift of Liturgical Time.
2. The Home Dedication Service.
3. A Healing Prayer Service.
4. Worship and Prayer in the Style of the Taize Community.
Comment hd.
We have a very practical treatment here of a very important topic. My impression was that worship doesn’t so much need transforming as it needs to just happen. Change will come naturally. This book is helpful in making it happen. A good resource in any worship pastor’s library.