Work of the People: What We Do In Worship and Why

by Marlea Gilbert, Christopher Grundy, Eric T. Myers

Worship is the work of the people of God. Patterns of worship shape how we pray and how we live. Despite its centrality to church life, worship is too often taken for granted as something a congregation experiences rather than collectively creates. The Work of the People simply and clearly explains the structure of worship, the actions and words we use in liturgy, the environment in which it all happens--in other words, what we are doing and why. This book will guide congregations in worshiping in a way that encourages participants' spiritual growth, welcomes new participants into faith, and sends people out as the body of Christ to transform the world. Respectful of local custom and the traditions and practices of the Church as a whole, The Work of the People will help worship leaders make the best use of their congregation's resources and clarify their choices about how they will worship together. Built around a basic service--gathering, service of the Word, Eucharist, and sending--this book is both theological and practical, and encourages all worshipers' active participation in Spirit-led worship of the God of all Creation.

Genres: Religion

152 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2006

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read - parts of it I skimmed. I mostly appreciated - and will find helpful as I work with our Worship Committee, I know - the many reflection and discussion questions at the end of each section. There was a whole big section on communion that, while I may find personally insteresting, I don't find professionally useful. Like almost all Alban publications, this one requires some "translation" efforts by most Unitarian Universalists, as it is very Christo-centric.

[Hansen Wendlandt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a very good study for laity, but there is little here for an experienced worship planner. The book is clear, no doubt, but other than a few poignant questions and some useful history, it isn't worth a pastor's read.