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drbobcornwall's review
4.0
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.
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.
aarikdanielsen's review
5.0
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.
philippelazaro's review
4.0
“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.
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
–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.
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
franklevirussell's review
4.0
A compelling look at multicultural worship and its place within the church.
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