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Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital Worship for the 21st Century
This new book on worship by renowned hymn writer and professor Ruth C. Duck provides theological foundations for worship and explores the variety of ways Christians have adapted worship to various cultures to help them live faithfully and to communicate the Gospel to others. The author celebrates the many languages and cultural settings in which the Gospel has been, and is, preached, sung, and prayed. The goal of this volume is to support good pastoral and congregational reflection on what worship is and does. Consequently, Duck discusses many different forms of worship from several cultures (African-American, Asian, Euro-American) and offers advice on how to read a congregation and define its culture in order to plan culturally appropriate worship. Although the book does not offer prescriptive formulas or advise a single pattern of worship, it includes many practical suggestions for preparing and leading worship, including diverse ministries of music, movement, and visual arts that are becoming more popular today. From worship's theological underpinnings the book turns to worship leadership, forms of prayer, preaching, the sacraments, ordination, and various other liturgies. Because of its emphasis on vital and Spirit-led worship, this comprehensive book on Christian worship will be used in years to come not only as a core textbook for seminarians and ministry students from a variety of cultures and traditions, but also as a resource for local church pastors and laity who are dedicated to the enlivening of Christian worship.
358 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2013
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April 30, 2021
In my opinion, the worship of God stands at the heart of Christianity. The First Commandment, according to Jesus and drawn from Deuteronomy 6, calls on the people of God to love God with heart, soul, and might. The second, which is drawn from Leviticus 19 calls for loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. The two are related, with the first reflected in acts of worship that lead to loving neighbors. That said, worship can take many forms and often reflect cultural contexts. Whatever form it takes, worship involves in some way acts of giving praise and thanks to God, as well as expressing lament. In this, we encounter God who has been revealed to us in the person of Jesus and through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit
Our worship experiences are rooted in traditions but change is inevitable. That change is inevitable in our worship experiences has been, perhaps rudely, reinforced by the COVID pandemic that upended normal practices across the globe. That being said, there are still principles and practices that remain part of our experience, even in times like those experienced during the pandemic. When it comes to discerning how worship is understood and practiced we need wise guidance. Such guidance needs to be updated regularly, even if what is shared has deep roots in what has gone before. One of those guides has been Ruth Duck, who recently retired as Professor of Worship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and an ordained minister within the United Church of Christ. She is also the writer of hymns that include “Womb of Life, and Source of Being,” “Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race,” and “Lead On, O Cloud of Presence.”
In 2013, a few years before her retirement, Ruth Duck published a new textbook on worship titled Worship for the Whole People of God. This book was written to be used as a seminary textbook for classes in worship. As such, it must cover theology, history, and practice. It does all of this masterfully. In this day and age, a textbook on worship must also address issues that might have been brushed to the side a generation or two ago, but that is no longer true. A suitable textbook must take into consideration the fact that the global nature of the church is being felt in ways never acknowledged previously. Gender is also something that must be engaged. There is also the matter of the arts and media that have made their presence felt. Again, Duck addresses all of these topics with grace and wisdom. Recognizing that change is inevitable she began a revision of the book in 2018. It is this Second Edition that appeared in 2021 that is under review.
Although it is designed to be used as a textbook, it has proven itself useful as a refresher even for those of us who have been at this work for many years so that we might be empowered and inspired to facilitate vital, vibrant, life-giving, and participatory worship in our churches. She notes in her acknowledgments the helpful comments concerning the first edition that opened her eyes to ways of improving the book, ranging from her writing style to the inclusion of new ideas and resources. This is especially true of recognizing more fully the diversity of those who worship. While much of the book is the same as before, it has been improved upon. Added to the book is a new chapter on recent trends in worship, including a focus on contemporary forms of worship. Also added to the book is an appendix written by David Gambrell that explores the challenges and possibilities of online worship. This appendix emerged out of the realities of COVID and draws upon the material present in the core of the book.
Since I take worship preparation seriously, I found Duck to be refreshingly blunt about the serious problems facing the church today went it comes to contemporary worship practices. This includes a word about the lack of true participation in worship. Many of these issues have theological roots, which she addresses in the course of the book. One of the areas that I greatly appreciated was her attention to the sacraments—baptism and Eucharist. The discussion of the Eucharist, including how we word our prayers and share them, needs to be read with great attention. Duck is an advocate of frequent reception, but if we are to share in this meal, we need to make sure our practice is theologically sound and vibrant. This is, as she reminds us, a meal of thanksgiving, not a funeral service. Remembrance is part of the Eucharistic service, but the one we remember is alive and present with us.
Throughout the book, she counsels us to be creative, while also being true to the inheritance of history and denominational tradition. But, all things must become new. One of the items that stuck out for me was the encouragement to engage in hymn-writing, even if that is simply paraphrasing a psalm or a traditional hymn. I heard the challenge and worked with my minister of music to create a response to the reading of the Scripture and a new version of the Gloria. I will confess that I’m not a poet, which required my minister of music to compose music that fit my less than rhythmic wording.
. The book is comprised of fourteen chapters that begins with theological foundations and then moves on to the importance of worship being participatory, deals with diversity, planning and leading of worship, the arts, words (vivid words), prayer, Scripture and Preaching, sacraments (three chapters), varieties of pastoral liturgies (weddings, funerals, life-related rituals), and liturgies of healing and reconciliation. The concluding chapter titled “A New Church Still Emerging” reworks the earlier version titled “Vital Worship for the Twenty-first Century” In that final chapter, Duck speaks to some of the changes facing the churches as we move through the twenty-first century. In this final chapter, Duck offers up four theological norms that she says are inspired by Don Saliers. The first norm is that “Christian worship aspires to praise and thank God and to transform humanity and all creation through communion with God.” With this norm, she lifts up the importance of recognizing that transformation occurs because of communion with God, but too often our “worship” is taken up with humans addressing humans – even in prayer (prayers become sermons). The second norm states that “Christian worship locates us in the whole story of God with us in Jesus Christ through the Spirit.” In worship, we tell the story of God and God’s relation with creation in Christ and through the Spirit. Third, “Christian worship invites the wholehearted participation of the congregation in worship and in life with God in the world.” In other words, worship should be participatory – beyond simply singing a hymn or two and shaking hands. Finally, “Christian worship draws on the language, symbols, and art forms of local culture to glorify God, transform humanity, tell the story, and engage heartfelt participation, while at the same time remaining in tension with elements of culture.” Worship must be inculturated, but it can’t simply become enmeshed with culture (pp. 286-291). These are the norms that guide the course of the discussions in this book. In reading this book we won’t find one-size-fits-all quick fixes, we might not agree with her on every point, but we will find the resources we need to facilitate the kind of vital worship that will connect us with the living God, resulting in the transformation of our lives and our relationships.
I do want to take note of “Appendix 1” provided by David Gambrell. He is correct, clergy faced a dilemma when the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020. While some congregations were already live-streaming worship had a good handle on things, most of us had to figure on the run. We made our adjustments, which involved a steep learning curve. Recognizing that some of what we took up will continue, it is helpful to have guidance that emerged amid the pandemic that reflects the work Ruth Duck had done in the book. I will note here that the one thing I didn’t see was any word about licensing of music. Reference is made to use of public domain music, which I largely used at the beginning, but there are copyright licensing companies that could have been mentioned. Nevertheless, it is a helpful addition to the book. There are two other appendices, one is a learning center coordinated with the liturgical year and one that lists “Ethical, Pastoral, and Liturgical Resources from an LGBTQ Perspective.” These can be useful, though I need to point out that David Gushee’s book Changing Our Mind was not published by Westminster John Knox Press.
Over the years I have read widely in the field of liturgical studies. My thinking has been heavily influenced by Keith Watkins and Robert Webber—one a liberal Protestant of my own denomination and the other an evangelical Episcopalian (now deceased). With this book, I added the work of Ruth Duck to the mix. Indeed, after the publication of the first edition, I had the privilege of hosting her for a weekend workshop on mission and the eucharist so that the congregation could share in her wisdom. Not only that but she wrote a communion hymn specifically for the congregation that is now added to the other hymns and prayers I had encountered before this. If you believe that worship that transforms begins in full communion with God, and you wish to engage in this ministry with creativity, then my advice is to pick up this new edition of Worship for the Whole People of God and devour it. If you’re a pastor, read it closely and then share its contents with anyone involved in worship leadership from ministers of music to worship committees. If you’re not a member of the clergy but are in worship leadership, you will benefit from reading it. Why? Because worship stands at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Our worship experiences are rooted in traditions but change is inevitable. That change is inevitable in our worship experiences has been, perhaps rudely, reinforced by the COVID pandemic that upended normal practices across the globe. That being said, there are still principles and practices that remain part of our experience, even in times like those experienced during the pandemic. When it comes to discerning how worship is understood and practiced we need wise guidance. Such guidance needs to be updated regularly, even if what is shared has deep roots in what has gone before. One of those guides has been Ruth Duck, who recently retired as Professor of Worship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and an ordained minister within the United Church of Christ. She is also the writer of hymns that include “Womb of Life, and Source of Being,” “Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race,” and “Lead On, O Cloud of Presence.”
In 2013, a few years before her retirement, Ruth Duck published a new textbook on worship titled Worship for the Whole People of God. This book was written to be used as a seminary textbook for classes in worship. As such, it must cover theology, history, and practice. It does all of this masterfully. In this day and age, a textbook on worship must also address issues that might have been brushed to the side a generation or two ago, but that is no longer true. A suitable textbook must take into consideration the fact that the global nature of the church is being felt in ways never acknowledged previously. Gender is also something that must be engaged. There is also the matter of the arts and media that have made their presence felt. Again, Duck addresses all of these topics with grace and wisdom. Recognizing that change is inevitable she began a revision of the book in 2018. It is this Second Edition that appeared in 2021 that is under review.
Although it is designed to be used as a textbook, it has proven itself useful as a refresher even for those of us who have been at this work for many years so that we might be empowered and inspired to facilitate vital, vibrant, life-giving, and participatory worship in our churches. She notes in her acknowledgments the helpful comments concerning the first edition that opened her eyes to ways of improving the book, ranging from her writing style to the inclusion of new ideas and resources. This is especially true of recognizing more fully the diversity of those who worship. While much of the book is the same as before, it has been improved upon. Added to the book is a new chapter on recent trends in worship, including a focus on contemporary forms of worship. Also added to the book is an appendix written by David Gambrell that explores the challenges and possibilities of online worship. This appendix emerged out of the realities of COVID and draws upon the material present in the core of the book.
Since I take worship preparation seriously, I found Duck to be refreshingly blunt about the serious problems facing the church today went it comes to contemporary worship practices. This includes a word about the lack of true participation in worship. Many of these issues have theological roots, which she addresses in the course of the book. One of the areas that I greatly appreciated was her attention to the sacraments—baptism and Eucharist. The discussion of the Eucharist, including how we word our prayers and share them, needs to be read with great attention. Duck is an advocate of frequent reception, but if we are to share in this meal, we need to make sure our practice is theologically sound and vibrant. This is, as she reminds us, a meal of thanksgiving, not a funeral service. Remembrance is part of the Eucharistic service, but the one we remember is alive and present with us.
Throughout the book, she counsels us to be creative, while also being true to the inheritance of history and denominational tradition. But, all things must become new. One of the items that stuck out for me was the encouragement to engage in hymn-writing, even if that is simply paraphrasing a psalm or a traditional hymn. I heard the challenge and worked with my minister of music to create a response to the reading of the Scripture and a new version of the Gloria. I will confess that I’m not a poet, which required my minister of music to compose music that fit my less than rhythmic wording.
. The book is comprised of fourteen chapters that begins with theological foundations and then moves on to the importance of worship being participatory, deals with diversity, planning and leading of worship, the arts, words (vivid words), prayer, Scripture and Preaching, sacraments (three chapters), varieties of pastoral liturgies (weddings, funerals, life-related rituals), and liturgies of healing and reconciliation. The concluding chapter titled “A New Church Still Emerging” reworks the earlier version titled “Vital Worship for the Twenty-first Century” In that final chapter, Duck speaks to some of the changes facing the churches as we move through the twenty-first century. In this final chapter, Duck offers up four theological norms that she says are inspired by Don Saliers. The first norm is that “Christian worship aspires to praise and thank God and to transform humanity and all creation through communion with God.” With this norm, she lifts up the importance of recognizing that transformation occurs because of communion with God, but too often our “worship” is taken up with humans addressing humans – even in prayer (prayers become sermons). The second norm states that “Christian worship locates us in the whole story of God with us in Jesus Christ through the Spirit.” In worship, we tell the story of God and God’s relation with creation in Christ and through the Spirit. Third, “Christian worship invites the wholehearted participation of the congregation in worship and in life with God in the world.” In other words, worship should be participatory – beyond simply singing a hymn or two and shaking hands. Finally, “Christian worship draws on the language, symbols, and art forms of local culture to glorify God, transform humanity, tell the story, and engage heartfelt participation, while at the same time remaining in tension with elements of culture.” Worship must be inculturated, but it can’t simply become enmeshed with culture (pp. 286-291). These are the norms that guide the course of the discussions in this book. In reading this book we won’t find one-size-fits-all quick fixes, we might not agree with her on every point, but we will find the resources we need to facilitate the kind of vital worship that will connect us with the living God, resulting in the transformation of our lives and our relationships.
I do want to take note of “Appendix 1” provided by David Gambrell. He is correct, clergy faced a dilemma when the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020. While some congregations were already live-streaming worship had a good handle on things, most of us had to figure on the run. We made our adjustments, which involved a steep learning curve. Recognizing that some of what we took up will continue, it is helpful to have guidance that emerged amid the pandemic that reflects the work Ruth Duck had done in the book. I will note here that the one thing I didn’t see was any word about licensing of music. Reference is made to use of public domain music, which I largely used at the beginning, but there are copyright licensing companies that could have been mentioned. Nevertheless, it is a helpful addition to the book. There are two other appendices, one is a learning center coordinated with the liturgical year and one that lists “Ethical, Pastoral, and Liturgical Resources from an LGBTQ Perspective.” These can be useful, though I need to point out that David Gushee’s book Changing Our Mind was not published by Westminster John Knox Press.
Over the years I have read widely in the field of liturgical studies. My thinking has been heavily influenced by Keith Watkins and Robert Webber—one a liberal Protestant of my own denomination and the other an evangelical Episcopalian (now deceased). With this book, I added the work of Ruth Duck to the mix. Indeed, after the publication of the first edition, I had the privilege of hosting her for a weekend workshop on mission and the eucharist so that the congregation could share in her wisdom. Not only that but she wrote a communion hymn specifically for the congregation that is now added to the other hymns and prayers I had encountered before this. If you believe that worship that transforms begins in full communion with God, and you wish to engage in this ministry with creativity, then my advice is to pick up this new edition of Worship for the Whole People of God and devour it. If you’re a pastor, read it closely and then share its contents with anyone involved in worship leadership from ministers of music to worship committees. If you’re not a member of the clergy but are in worship leadership, you will benefit from reading it. Why? Because worship stands at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
December 28, 2019
A text for a Spring 2020 course at Phillips Theological, "Theology and Practice of Public Worship" - Excellent resource for pastors and worship leaders - Went through 3 markers for this one -- From the Publisher: This new book on worship by renowned hymn writer and professor Ruth C. Duck provides theological foundations for worship and explores the variety of ways Christians have adapted worship to various cultures to help them live faithfully and to communicate the Gospel to others. The author celebrates the many languages and cultural settings in which the Gospel has been, and is, preached, sung, and prayed. The goal of this volume is to support good pastoral and congregational reflection on what worship is and does. Consequently, Duck discusses many different forms of worship from several cultures (African-American, Asian, Euro-American) and offers advice on how to read a congregation and define its culture in order to plan culturally appropriate worship. Although the book does not offer prescriptive formulas or advise a single pattern of worship, it includes many practical suggestions for preparing and leading worship, including diverse ministries of music, movement, and visual arts that are becoming more popular today. From worship's theological underpinnings the book turns to worship leadership, forms of prayer, preaching, the sacraments, ordination, and various other liturgies. Because of its emphasis on vital and Spirit-led worship, this comprehensive book on Christian worship will be used in years to come not only as a core textbook for seminarians and ministry students from a variety of cultures and traditions, but also as a resource for local church pastors and laity who are dedicated to the enlivening of Christian worship.
December 13, 2022
This is a good book that brings in the diversity of worship in context. There are many ways we do things, but they all have roots and common understandings. It was a good book to look at our unique experiences and how they can inform our communal worship with one another.
January 8, 2014
Worship is the heart of Christianity. Taking many forms it is the place where we encounter the living God whom we know through Jesus and by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit and in the course of offering praise and thanksgiving experience transformation. In too many churches worship becomes stale and lifeless. We sing and pray and share in the sacraments, but nothing really happens. There is, of course, no one-size-fits all quick fix. But, we needn't be content with going through the motions.
I am committed to creating and experiencing life-renewing worship of God. I am always on the lookout for books and resources that can assist in this calling. I've been influenced by the teachings and work of Keith Watkins and Robert Webber -- one a liberal Protestant of my own denomination and the other an evangelical Episcopalian (now deceased). Now I can add to their influences, the work of Ruth Duck. I've known her hymns and prayers, but now I've had the opportunity to learn from her wisdom that she has shared with her students at Garrett Evangelical Seminary.
Worship for the Whole People of God is first of all a text book for seminary students. If I were teaching worship classes at a seminary this would be my text book. As a text book it explores all facets of worship life, bringing into the equation history, scripture, and contemporary practices from across the global church.
But it is also a book that every pastor should read. That is, if we are committed to helping facilitate participatory worship that enables congregations to commune with God and experience transformation as a result.
Duck respects and honors the treasures that have been passed down through the ages, but she also makes it clear that for worship to be life-giving it must adapt these treasures in new and creative ways.
There is much wisdom contained in these pages and they need to be digested and incorporated in the life of the church so that we might all engage fully with the living God.
For a somewhat longer review from my blog, check out: http://www.bobcornwall.com/2014/01/wo...
I am committed to creating and experiencing life-renewing worship of God. I am always on the lookout for books and resources that can assist in this calling. I've been influenced by the teachings and work of Keith Watkins and Robert Webber -- one a liberal Protestant of my own denomination and the other an evangelical Episcopalian (now deceased). Now I can add to their influences, the work of Ruth Duck. I've known her hymns and prayers, but now I've had the opportunity to learn from her wisdom that she has shared with her students at Garrett Evangelical Seminary.
Worship for the Whole People of God is first of all a text book for seminary students. If I were teaching worship classes at a seminary this would be my text book. As a text book it explores all facets of worship life, bringing into the equation history, scripture, and contemporary practices from across the global church.
But it is also a book that every pastor should read. That is, if we are committed to helping facilitate participatory worship that enables congregations to commune with God and experience transformation as a result.
Duck respects and honors the treasures that have been passed down through the ages, but she also makes it clear that for worship to be life-giving it must adapt these treasures in new and creative ways.
There is much wisdom contained in these pages and they need to be digested and incorporated in the life of the church so that we might all engage fully with the living God.
For a somewhat longer review from my blog, check out: http://www.bobcornwall.com/2014/01/wo...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews