Flow: The Ancient Way to Do Contemporary Worship

by Lester Ruth

Is there a way to do the prescribed or suggested orders of worship from denominational worship resources—such as the United Methodist Book of Worship, Evangelical Lutheran Book of Worship, the Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or the Book of Common Prayer—in a way that feels legitimately and authentically contemporary?This practical, how-to book will help churches plan and implement passionate and invigorating worship. Step by step, author Lester Ruth and contributors Zachary Barnes, Andrew Eastes, Jonathan Ottaway, Adam Perez, Glenn Stallsmith and Deborah Wong break down the process of re-thinking what the official or recommended order of worship is truly suggesting, so pastors and worship leaders can plan and lead a service of Word and Table that feels genuinely relevant and attuned to the congregation’s culture. With this goal, Flow casts a new, but classic, understanding of traditional worship as well as spurs a reconsideration of how contemporary worship can be done by honoring the traditions of denominational congregations.

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[CJ Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very useful insights into ordering and planning worship, keying off of Justin Martyr's description of worship. Justin highlights 1) the open-endedness of time in the worship service, 2) the extemporaneity in prayer, and 3) laid out the order of worship as a series of actions. Describing this series of actions as enabling and having a "flow" for worship, the book tackles various aspects of worship with a view to helping leaders improve this flow for contemporary worship.

[Robert Lowry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of this marketing approach to worship. Contemporary worship is neither here nor there for me. But the idea that the “flow” of worship should imitate the relentlessness of retention marketing is troubling.

Can’t recommend.

[Ryan Shelton]

Practical and packed with goodies and insights. A must for worship leaders and planners.

[Hilary Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theologically grounded and practical. Great addition to any contemporary worship leader's bookshelf, especially one leading in a mainline or more traditionally-influenced context.

[Logan Brasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a class. Offered a few practical ideas, but it seemed to make bigger deals about some things that shouldn’t have been. Not the worst, but certainly not the best.

[Catherine Wicker]

A detailed book into the history of the way contemporary music. Not sure I agree with the comparison of Justin martyr