The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World

by Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Sandra Maria Van Opstal

Christianity Today 's Book of the Year Award of Merit What happens when a diverse church glorifies the global God? We live in a time of unprecedented intercultural exchange, where our communities welcome people from around the world. Music and media from every culture are easily accessible, and our worship is infused with a rich variety of musical and liturgical influences. But leading worship in multicultural contexts can be a crosscultural experience for everybody. How do we help our congregations navigate the journey? Innovative worship leader Sandra Maria Van Opstal is known for crafting worship that embodies the global, multiethnic body of Christ. Likening diverse worship to a sumptuous banquet, she shows how worship leaders can set the table and welcome worshipers from every tribe and tongue. Van Opstal provides biblical foundations for multiethnic worship, with practical tools and resources for planning services that reflect God's invitation for all peoples to praise him. When multiethnic worship is done well, the church models reconciliation and prophetic justice, heralding God's good news for the world. Enter into the praise of our king, and let the nations rejoice!

Genres: Theology, Christian, Church, Religion, Nonfiction, Leadership, Faith

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2016

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content of this book is important, and Sandra Van Opstal drops her main argument like a bomb on the undisturbed “normal” worshipers in many evangelical churches today. “There is no normal worship,” she says, “there are only cultural expressions of worship.” That is her main thrust. It is a much needed wake-up call to many who believe that their way of worshiping is the best way of worshiping. Unfortunately, Van Opstal’s arguments lack precision. She does a poor job in convincing her readers of her claims. For instance, it is not that she identifies with #BLM and other causes – it is that she assumes this is what multicultural solidarity looks like. The problem is not that multicultural worship is unbiblical – the problem is that she does not provide biblical evidence for it or defend the prominent position she gives it. The book was frustrating to read. Yet, I will return to my first point: its content is critical to our generation of evangelicals. I only wish there was more care in its presentation and more biblical and thoughtful support.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read the book after hearing the author's plenary address at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Symposium. Sandra has a good sense of the importance of engaging the diversity of our context and the practical and theological dimensions of creating worship experiences that touch this diversity.

It's helpful to be reminded, as a white Protestant, that the worship that occurs in most traditional white Protestant congregations isn't "normal" worship. It is ethnic worship, it simply reflects a Euro-American ethos. The author is clearly an evangelical, which might require some translating for more liberal mainline congregations. There seems to be an assumption here of a large church context, especially when we think in terms of paid worship leadership teams.

In any case, it's a good read and worth considering what it would mean to engage in multi-cultural worship.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. So much think about and process. Excellent resources in the appendix. May we seek to find ways to worship, really worship, with all our differences. May we be willing to be messy and make mistakes along the way. Sandra Maria Van Opstal shares advice and examples, all from her experience. So grateful for this resource.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are exciting times for the Church in an increasingly diverse culture. In, "The Next Worship," Sandra Van Opstal takes great care in educating on multiethnic worship, challenging us to move away from comfort and what is perceived as "normal," and coaching churches into worship that "acknowledges and honors the diversity of people in the local and global church." This book reminds me of the song lyrics, "It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation, a love song born of a grateful choir." We are one choir, one voice, one Church, and the "next worship" is a call to unity, connection, and collaboration that should be taken seriously.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an adjunct professor at George Fox University, who teaches primarily on worship, I use Sandra's book in my class "Create, Plan, and Lead"(aka crafting modern liturgy). I continually use this book because Sandra artistically and masterfully pulls from all major voices/authors on worship used in academia(ie. Webber, Best, etc.) and she is able to build upon, articulate, and present the importance of multi-cultural worship. And she does it in a way that all readers, even if they don't have seminary experience, even if they haven't studied worship, even if they are just scratching the surface of crafting a gathering can embrace and be changed by.

Her book echos that of scripture which unequivocally tells the story of a God whose blessing is meant for all nations. From beginning to end scripture casts a beautiful vision of community that is ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and racially diverse. The Church is the most diverse family on earth. Sandra's masterfulness and one of the reasons why she is such an amazing worship leader is that she guides the reader using the common experience of a potluck to deliver her message.

As one of a few dozen people that teach worship at a collegiate level and has trained hundreds of worship leaders please hear this - if you lead worship or are involved with crafting what we call "church" get this book and read it.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very constructive, important read for any worship team member or leader who remotely values the global church and wants to impart that value to their congregation/fellowship.

I serve in college campus ministry (InterVarsity in fact😆), so I'm not exactly working with a congregation, much less full-time music directors. But because we try to worship multilingually and multiculturally, we often run into questions of "why are we doing this?" with the subtext of "are we just doing this for diversity points?". My setting is also an Asian American chapter, with our students coming mostly from immigrant and white-majority churches. But what this means is that our music backgrounds tend to be hymns and CCM, even if those songs are translated into other languages. So when we sing in African, South American, or non-English European languages (whether at retreats or our large group services), there is often dissonance. Because of this, I wish the book had just a little more advice on how to handle these situations and what to actually *say*, especially with scriptural backing.

This was a very encouraging and convicting (and also somewhat dense) read that has really helped reframe my view of leading worship, not just in diversity but in the essentials of what it means to serve the church in such a role.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible resource for the church. Thorough and effective, while brief and accessible, it offers a good challenge and practical help to people of all backgrounds in diversifying worship services to meet the needs of their contexts. She casts a big picture vision and gives practical steps for cultural awareness, teams, leadership, selection, music, service order, pastoring people through the process, and so much more. Her experience with music teams of a great variety of cultures gives her voice and stories a broad and weighty quality that can bless the church. She also gives many very helpful appendices referencing helpful song resources in the journey. I think this ought to be read and re-read, to get the big vision and to process the small steps along the way.

[David Meldrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author defines worship in the terms of this book as corporate singing, which is helpful in terms of understanding what's she's driving at. I don't necessarily disagree with her definition, but the result is a book which focuses so much on the sort of (usually Amercian based) church where there is such a large block of sung worship that for the rest of us there are really only a handful of nuggets in terms of what's helpful. Many physical miles separate my church (a small Anglican church in Cape Town which has a variety of different styles of music, but quite limited people resources) from the author's experience - and many cultural miles also; it's hard to translate this and apply what's here in a way that makes sense in my context.

[Kelsey brougher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing!! Must-read for all followers of Jesus. It has challenged me in my view of diversity in worship and gives biblical basis for joining people who are different than me 'at the table' to worship. Through this book, the Spirit has given me freedom to worship in many different ways, not inhibited by discomfort or unfamiliarity. Worshipping in different cultures brings hospitality, mutuality, and solidarity to the church. It is not just about singing songs in different languages but various cultures leading and shaping the worship service together.

[Molly Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Incredibly helpful for any worship leader/team member in a context that is trying to pursue any kind of multicultural worship. Not only does the author lay groundwork for why a church may want to pursue this kind of worship, but she also lays out different categories to think through and different steps a church could take depending on their context.

An added bonus - that adds an extra .5 stars is the appendix that includes additional charts/things to work through as you apply in your own context as well as other helpful resources.

[Timothy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book on worship. Both the philosophy and the practical advice laid out in this book are phenomenally laid out. Sandra shares a great and compelling vision for worship both going against the white cultural norms of the Christian music industrial complex (my words not hers), as well as worship being one tool we use to love our neighbors and reconcile communities together. I think every worship leader and pastor needs to read this to get challenged by how we use worship in our larger ecclesial structures and liturgies.

[Samuel Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good at provoking us to think through worshipping in the new creation, all tribes and nations, and some practical steps and considerations to get there.

I enjoyed thinking about fostering multicultural worship as a means of discipling my church and being spurred on to continue fostering a church and worshipping community that is actively engaging others in their worship - it's not just about me and my preferences.

[Lucy Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly many of the changes in here just felt SO overwhelming, even though my home church has a mission of racial reconciliation.

i felt like i needed more scaffolding if this was truly intended for people to bring this practice for the churches, and i just got more of a description on why it was important. that aspect was useful...but i know this is important. i need more help on how i, a white girl, can be bringing more multiethnic worship to my communities

[Jessie T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the foreword by Mark Labberton!
This is a great overview on multicultural worship and why it should be done in churches, I also enjoyed the analogies. The first half of the book was better.
It was very helpful to have key points listed at the end of each chapter and discussion questions!

[Toria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read to gain perspective on diverse and multicultural worship. Beautiful examples are included throughout the book to show the points the author is presenting. Helps create a desire to see worship be more then what is typically seen in most churches today. Great resource for anyone in ministry.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is strongest when the author is practically working through how to move a worship team towards diversity and solidarity. The appendices were very helpful. She is a rather weak exegete and the “why” behind diverse worship is lost for the “how.”

[Aarik Danielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book on corporate/musical worship I've read in ... I can't remember when. Eminently practical, deeply soulful, clinging always to a vision of diversity rooted in the story of Scripture. A must-read for anyone who cares about the common work of the saints.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read! Pastor teaches us the complex oof moving to multicultural worship with respect and mutualities. I look forward to using and sharing this book with worship teams as we build better churches

[Dvd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out the chapter on worship, a collective spiritual space, acting like a good food-filled table! Van Opstal offers needed critiques for artistic worship leaders in particular, however these can challenge and inspire all sorts out there—as they did for me!

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three rating isn't because this isn't a good book but because I am not the target audience so I didn't enjoy it that much. I would recommend it for worship leaders and pastors, especially in churches with a growing mix of cultures in their church.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great theological and practical resource for anyone wanting to enter into multicultural worship

[CarolAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the books I have read this year on reconciliation this is the BEST one I have come across with real life how to make it work in everyday church practice!

[Frank Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling look at multicultural worship and its place within the church.

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I wanted to finish this book since it's obviously geared towards worship leaders (which I am not, nor will I ever be), but I'm glad I did. Even though it is focused on creating diverse worship experiences, it was so easy to see how almost every aspect of this book could be applied to every other sphere of my life. Seriously, anytime I hear someone wondering how to create diverse spaces, I'm just going to point them towards this book.

Also I loved that the author literally allows no excuses. No matter what, we all should be making intentional steps towards creating spaces that people of every culture and ethnicity can feel welcomed in. Even if those steps start out small, we should all be moving forward.

[Philippe Lazaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Worship should be expressive and formative. The aim of corporate worship is not individual expression but communal formation of faith. We should practice authenticity and desire transformative worship experiences. Worship should stretch us to rehearse truths while our feelings catch up with us.”

–Sandra Maria Van Opstal

Book No. 24 of 2017

I picked up this book at The Justice Conference after hearing Van Opstal speak- actually she was probably my favorite speaker. While this book primarily focuses on corporate musical worship, something that I don’t interact with a whole lot beyond as a participant, I still found this book to be extremely helpful.

Van Opstal really does a good job refuting ethnocentrism- no matter what your background or worship style, it’s an ethnic style. There is no “normal” and we need to always check our assumptions about how everyone is “different” in relation to us. PB&J is ethnic food, after all.

For anyone involved in church worship or leadership, I would heavily recommend this as a resource full of ideas on how to help a church grow in the area of diversity. It’s not just a good thing to have, it’s impossible to be a church that reflects a God of all cultures without it.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

[Kendra Mikols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Van Opstal likes to tell it how it is and you can tell she's passionate. Good tips and thoughts

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Using the language of an international table, this book gives both theological basis and practical help in leading Christian communities into multi-cultural and multi-lingual worship led by empowered multi-ethnic worship teams.

It does not seem so long ago when we were hearing of "worship wars" that consisted of conflicts between those who favored traditional (i.e. hymns) worship with choirs, piano and organ and those who favored contemporary music with guitars, keyboards, and percussion. While some churches are still wrestling with these different styles, the culture has moved on as the world has come to our neighborhoods. South Asians, Chinese and Koreans, African Americans, Latinos, and people from Middle Eastern countries all live in my neighborhood, have restaurants in our community, and at least sometimes turn up in our church.

Sandra Van Opstal uses the analogy of food to help us understand that our forms of worship are just as "ethnic" as those of other groups. We may consider PB & J to just be "food" but for many it is "American" food. For those who are from Mexico, what we consider Mexican food is just "food." Similarly "normal" worship looks very different in very different cultural contexts. If our hope is that our churches begin to look like our communities, it means that we begin to worship in ways that are more "normal" for others, that say, "this is your table, too."

She tells the stories of churches who have made these transitions. For those from Columbus, she features my good friend Katelin Hansen, and the multi-cultural worship she leads at The Church for All Peoples on the south side of Columbus. Many know Katelin for her blog, By Their Strange Fruit, which focuses on racial reconciliation and issues of justice. Sandra features the work Katelin and many other worship leaders are doing in bringing together leaders from different cultural backgrounds and intentionally leading their churches into solidarity in worship with the different cultures in their neighborhood, and around the world.

Transitioning to this style of worship isn't easy. Van Opstal charts the process from the first steps of reconciliation to hospitality ("we welcome you"), to solidarity ("we stand with you"), to mutuality ("we need you"). She traces the different options in worship that may be pursued. She discusses different types of worship teams, from monocultural teams with a strong leader who does all the planning to multi-cultural teams with shared planning and leadership. She outlines four models of multi-ethnic worship from Acknowledgement (a dominant style with hints of others) to Blended (the equal representation of two or more styles) to Fusion (mixing styles or creating original music) and Collaborative Rotation (where leaders and teams are rotated and host worship in their own cultural style).

Van Opstal, who herself has led worship in a variety of settings from Urbana Missions Conferences and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students World Assembly (where I've seen her in action) to mainline churches talks about the different elements that go into a worship service and how she works with teams in planning. More than this, she talks about the challenging work of culture change and discerning how to work sensitively with different groups. She writes helpfully about avoiding "whiplash" where so many styles and languages are introduced at once that people are bewildered.

What I appreciated throughout was the model Van Opstal gives of honesty, vulnerability, and self-understanding. She writes at one point in chapter two:

"Let’s face it, my Mandarin stinks! I’d rather sing in Spanish. I’d prefer to pray in English. I really like to move during worship, which would likely be a distraction in many of the churches or college chapels I visit. Crosscultural worship is just what it sounds like: we are crossing over (a bridge) to another way of doing things, which creatures of habit rarely like to do. As Spencer Perkins, the late reconciliation leader and coauthor of More Than Equals, used to say, “Bridge building hurts!” Not only are we crossing a bridge, we are also acting as a bridge for other people to cross, which means we are always getting stepped on. It takes commitment and intentionality; it’s a decision to act. . . ."

I would commend this book for any Christian community from student fellowships to established congregations (particularly in neighborhoods of changing demographics). It offers very practical help for those who lead worship (and be prepared for challenges to the Cult of the Worship Leader!) but should also be read by pastoral teams and church leadership preparing to wade in these waters. For such groups, each chapter includes discussion questions. There are also nine appendices at the end covering everything from worship movements and artists to various order of service examples to practical help in teaching a language song.

This book is real. It is inspiring. And it is tremendously practical, reflecting the author's wide ranging experience in leading and coaching others to lead multi-ethnic worship. Some of the experiences I've had when I've observed her leadership have been "foretastes of heaven" as one begins to see what it will be like to worship with the nations of the earth. I can't help but think that such foretastes are one of most compelling testimonies of the greatness and grace of our global God. My hope is that through this book, the nations will rejoice!