Worshiping with United Methodists Revised Edition: A Guide for Pastors and Church Leaders

by Hoyt L. Hickman

Revised and updated, this popular book shows pastors and worship leaders the basics of United Methodist worship.

In this straightforward and updated commentary, Hoyt Hickman explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons' lives. These principles are: God's Word is primary; active congregational participation is crucial; spontaneity and order are both important; worship should be relevant and inclusive; and worship is communion. This revision will highlight the African-American contribution to UM worship, discuss at greater length what the various worship styles mean for us today, say more about the formative nature of worship, and include updated resources including the Abingdon Worship Annual, the Abingdon Preaching Annual, and WorshipConnection.



Explains basic resources for planning and leading worship.
Gives the basic pattern of UM worship and its origins.
Gives practical suggestions how to renew and revitalize worship.
Helps pastors be effective leaders in planning and revitalizing worship.
Helps pastors understand and communicate the uniqueness of UM worship.
Helps pastors lead their congregation into a deeper and richer experience of God through worship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Church

135 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Will Waller · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard to say much about this book. The writing is clear and the lessons are too. It's fully Methodist, as it references again and again the Book of Worship and Book of Discipline. It's not the most relevant. The writing is a bit dated. And the author seems more intent on the formality of worship than the changing worship scene of the 21st century. Certainly, we've graduated from the contemporary/traditional debates of the 1980s, a mindset the author seems to be stuck in. I wouldn't recommend this book, but it does have elements (the piece around thanksgiving at Communion is necessary) that strike a chord. Don't pick up when you have such books that do the job of worship in the UMC, much, much better.

[Betsy Schwarzentraub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book laid out a lot of distinctive understandings about Methodist worship, from the basic pattern of worship and where we got it, to the meanings of Communion, ways to read the Bible, and use of the Common Revised Lectionary. Hickman is a longtime practitioner who explains the why of worship as well as the how. A good book for new pastors and lay leaders. It’s a good resource for training and reminding folks what leading worship is all about.

[Gary Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting guidebook to the history behind United Methodist Worship and how it relates to Christian history and has changed overtime. Occasionally a bit prejudiced toward a UMC perspective but that would be expected with a book written to that intent.

[Rebecca L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information. I always enjoy Hoyt Hickman’s work. He is a talented writer and a gifted theologian. This is one of those rare books where experienced scholars and people nee to the ministry can both learn something because the author is so well spoken and interesting.

[Kevin Casto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to help you understand the worship service

[Sandy Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good history of UMC worhip--why we do what we do, how we do it.

[Kimberly Konecny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive explanation of the Basic Order of Worship of the United Methodist Church. Easy read.

[Marc Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a good review of the Basic United Methodist Worship Service and why each element is part of the service.

[MaryMargaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information. Dragged a bit but I found myself in several of the explanations as to why United Methodists worship the way we do. All in all, good info.

[John Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this book is perhaps the best book on worship that I've ever read. Having gone to seminary, that may or may not be saying something significant. For the most part, Hickman's book is not prescriptive at all but rather descriptive. First he takes you through the history of worship, starting with the Bible and carrying you through to present times, explaining what United Methodists have picked up and why. This little historical review is not at all exhaustive and probably frustrating to some people for not being more detailed, but I swear that the mastery with which Hickman goes over the material is something to marvel at.

Then Hickman goes step-by-step through each part of the United Methodist order of worship, as given in the UMC Book of Worship and Hymnal. This forms the core of the book. The best part of the coverage is how succinctly Hickman explains why the Church does what it does and then describes what it should look like. A step-by-step process of describing an entire Church's worship theology--a Church that is diverse, no less--and worship practices in less than 150 pages is rather incredible. Hickman is both brisk and patient. You can't possibly read this book and not know what it means and what it looks like to worship as a United Methodist, and also know why everything is as it is.

I personally would recommend this book to every United Methodist living in the United States, especially including pastors. I say "especially including pastors," or even soon-to-be pastors, particularly because the descriptive nature of the book implicitly prescribes how to do worship. And as Hickman says, many UMC pastors simply don't do it right.

[Dave Pettengill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had very interesting parts on how worship in the Methodist church has developed and changed over the years. At times it also provided some helpful advice in organizing worship services in the UMC. However, at times the book seemed to drag on with over explanation or continual referencing to the UM Book of Worship. At times it is almost like they could have said "Want to learn about _______ then read these pages in the book of worship" and then leave it at that.

[Sam Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected....full of history on how UMC worship came to be what it is today. Bottom-line? You got a lot o room to play when it come to worship. NICE!!!

[Cheryl Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting on how we Methodists worhip.