Beyond the Worship Wars: Building Vital and Faithful Worship

by Thomas G. Long

Almost every congregation is experiencing tension over worship. Many congregations have been participating in a renaissance of worship known as the "liturgical movement" and have reclaimed worship forms that have served the church for centuries. Yet because the church today is operating in a radically changed cultural environment, many people in our society do not understand liturgical worship and thus we must find language, music, themes, and images that speak to the unchurched, spiritually seeking person. In Beyond the Worship Wars, Thomas G. Long discusses the nine characteristics of vital and faithful worship practiced by a wide range of "third-way" congregations―all characteristics that make for vital and faithful worshi

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Theology, Church

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Long is a star, but this is not his best book. More time in the pastorate might have given him stronger sensitivity to congregational differences in areas that affect worship planning, issues like theology, church governance, emotional makeup of the congregation, history, lay expectations, church size, and socio-economic background. Perhaps this book could be regarded as a beginning for those church leaders who are struggling to find their way.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in seminary and still refer to it often. Excellent little book over a silly Protestant fight that needs to end.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for work.

[Kukjin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

More importantly than any music/worship leader reading this book is the importance of every pastor, the true worship leader, reading this book. The pastor sets the tone, casts vision, and determines whether a church moves ahead toward vital worship or remains in a "puddle of contentment" or stagnation.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for any clergy member or lay-leader of the church.

[Dave Hornor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, but sparse, view of worship renewal from, primarily from a mainline perspective. Some good thoughts on worship space and the sacraments.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very helpful and concrete as well as philosophical about worship. I am keeping my copy for future reference.

[Joshua Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young pastor, my reaction to this text was something like "ah, so THIS is what I'm supposed to be doing!"