Blog Archives

Evangelicals and Liturgy

By Lorn Gieck, DWS  Introduction  After ignoring liturgy for centuries many evangelical churches are experimenting with it. This article is an attempt to understand why and how, after all this time, a new renewal of worship is occurring in the … Continue reading

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God, Self, Identity, and the Adolescent Task of Getting Organized

By Chris D. Clements, PhD A casual opening note to youth workers, mentors and caring adults: I can remember being a teenager in a Bible study series my youth group was running. Our group leader reminded us often that it … Continue reading

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Review of Before We Gather: Devotions for Worship Leaders & Teams, 2023

Hicks, Zac. Before We Gather: Devotions for Worship Leaders & Teams. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2023. ISBN 9780310145073 By Johnny Markin, DWS In the burgeoning world of literature devoted to informing and equipping worship leaders in the Christian Church, Zac Hicks … Continue reading

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Review of Christian Academic Writing: Twelve Practices and Principles for Becoming a Successful Writer, 2024

Benjamin L. Merkle and Adrianne Cheek Miles. Christian Academic Writing: Twelve Practices and Principles for Becoming a Successful Writer. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2024. 176 Pages ISBN 9781540965998 By Joel Houston, PhD Benjamin L. Merkle (Dr. M.O. Owens Jr. … Continue reading

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Help, Lord, I have Spiritual E/BD

By Kenneth A. Pudlas, EdD For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not … Continue reading

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Review of A History of Contemporary Praise and Worship: Understanding the Ideas that Reshaped the Protestant Church, 2021

Lester Ruth, Lim Swee Hong.  A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship: Understanding the Ideas that Reshaped the Protestant Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2021. ISBN 978-1-5409-6753-4 By Christine Longhurst, DWS In A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship: … Continue reading

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Singing With Jesus: The Psalms in Christian Worship

By Ken Michell, DWS In the conversations surrounding worship music in the North American Protestant church, discussions tend to revolve around a simple dichotomy: traditional hymnody versus contemporary worship. Into this debate, Barry Liesch proposed that both be recognized as … Continue reading

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Review of Hope in Addiction: Understanding and Helping Those Caught in Its Grip, 2023

Partington, Andy. (2023). Hope in Addiction: Understanding and Helping Those Caught in the Grip, Moody Publishers, Chicago. By Estera Boldut, PsyD What does it mean to be the church in a world where addiction reaches epidemic proportions? How can loved … Continue reading

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Inciting Worship: How the Gospel Drama Fuels Our Praise

By Geoff Dresser, DWS  Every week, those leading and planning contemporary worship answer the question, “What are the songs for Sunday?” Along with picking their songs, they might consider how the worship set will flow together, interspersing scripture, prayer, and … Continue reading

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Review of Rory Noland, Transforming Worship: Planning and Leading Sunday Services as If Spiritual Formation Mattered, 2022

Rory Noland. Transforming Worship: Planning and Leading Sunday Services as If Spiritual Formation Mattered. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2022. By Herbert H. Tsang, PEng, PhD, DWS Most Christians who plan and lead worship tend to focus on the expressive dimension, … Continue reading

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All are Precious in His Sight: What Does This Mean for the Church?

By Kenneth A. Pudlas, EdD Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.  (Psalm 41:1 NIV) What does it mean to “have regard for the weak”; who are they? The Psalmist, … Continue reading

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Review of The Worship Architect: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services, 2nd. ed., 2021

Constance M. Cherry. The Worship Architect: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services. 2nd edition, 2021. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 340 pp. ISBN 978-1-5409-6388-8 ‌By Jay Dyrland, DWS With the rise of the church growth movement … Continue reading

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Is the Gospel (Really) for Everyone? Toward a More Inclusive Body

By K. Dubbeldam, BABGS and K.A. Pudlas, EdD Two questions are foundational in this article: 1. What is the Gospel? 2. Is the Gospel intended for everyone?  What follows is an exploration of these formative questions and a discussion of … Continue reading

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Review of Sandra Maria Van Opstal, The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World, 2016

Van Opstal, Sandra Maria. The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016. ISBN: 978-0-8308-4705-1 By Melissa Davis, DMA Sandra Maria Van Opstal’s book, The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World, urges ministry … Continue reading

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Overture: The Qualities and Concerns of a Worship Leader

By Vernon Charter, DWS, and Mark Jonah, DWS This article explores the ministry of worship leaders in Canadian evangelical churches. While some churches have worship pastors, many churches in our country cannot afford to hire trained ministers of worship; but … Continue reading

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