Christian Worship in Reformed Churches Past and Present

Jacket Description/Back: Worship renewal is now on the agenda of many Reformed churches, as the need for adaptation and new approaches is acutely felt all over. How can the church faithfully worship God in the midst of rapidly changing situations? How can it constructively relate to widely differing cultural contexts? What is its place in the wider ecumenical scene? In preparing a sweeping survey of Reformed worship across time and place, this volume provides some help to those engaged with vital questions like these. Written by theologians and liturgical scholars from a wide range of churches and countries, these chapters explore the history of Reformed worship on every continent from the sixteenth century to the present. Surveying the most significant developments in the growth of Reformed worship, the book identifies the major "ingredients" that make the Reformed worship tradition distinctive and highlights those aspects of Reformed worship that are particularly relevant to present efforts at renewal. Indeed, an important component of this book is the inclusion of "A Common Reflection on Christian Worship in Reformed Churches Today, " the result of a major consultation in January 2001 at the International Reformed Center John Knox. Revealing the rich variety of forms and diversity of perspectives that have made and do make up Reformed worship worldwide, this volume will be a valuable resource for church and worship leaders both in and outside the Reformed family. CONTRIBUTORS: Horace T. Allen Jr. Emily R. BrinkLivingstone BuamaCoenraad BurgerBruno BurkiGerson Correia de LacerdaAlan D. FalconerKasonga wa KasongaBaranite T. KirataElsie Anne McKeeSeong-WonParkEster Pudjo WidiasihAlan P. F. SellJoseph D. SmallBryan D. SpinksLeonora Tubbs TisdaleLukas VischerIsaiah Wahome MuitaGeraldine WheelerMarsha M. WilfongJohn D. WitvlietPublisher Marketing: Worship renewal is now on the agenda of many Reformed churches, as the need for adaptation and new approaches is acutely felt all over. How can the church faithfully worship God in the midst of rapidly changing situations? How can it constructively relate to widely differing cultural contexts? What is its place in the wider ecumenical scene? In preparing a sweeping survey of Reformed worship across time and place, this volume provides some help to those engaged with vital questions like these. Written by theologians and liturgical scholars from a wide range of churches and countries, these chapters explore the history of Reformed worship on every continent from the sixteenth century to the present. Surveying the most significant developments in the growth of Reformed worship, the book identifies the major "ingredients" that make the Reformed worship tradition distinctive and highlights those aspects of Reformed worship that are particularly relevant to present efforts at renewal. Indeed, an important component of this book is the inclusion of "A Common Reflection on Christian Worship in Reformed Churches Today," the result of a major consultation in January 2001 at the International Reformed Center John Knox. Revealing the rich variety of forms and diversity of perspectives that have made and do make up Reformed worship worldwide, this volume will be a valuable resource for church and worship leaders both in and outside the Reformed family. CONTRIBUTORS: Horace T. Allen Jr. Emily R. Brink Livingstone Buama Coenraad Burger Bruno Burki Gerson Correia de Lacerda Alan D. Falconer Kasonga wa Kasonga Baranite T. Kirata Elsie Anne McKee Seong-Won Park Ester Pudjo Widiasih Alan P. F. Sell Joseph D. Small Bryan D. Spinks Leonora Tubbs Tisdale Lukas Vischer Isaiah Wahome Muita Geraldine Wheeler Marsha M. Wilfong John D. Witvliet

Contributor Bio:  Vischer, Lukas Lukas Vischer (19262008) was a Swiss Reformed theologian noted for his ecumenical efforts in both the World Council of Churches and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Contributor Bio:  Witvliet, John D John D. Witvliet (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and professor of congregational studies, music, and worship at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary.