Worship and Power

"""In Free Church traditions, the ways worship shapes us can appear confusing to some, like theological signatures written in invisible ink, only discernible to those with he means of revealing hidden text and meaning. Worship and Power is a bold, winsome, and insightful collection of essays that changes the ink so a wider, ecumenical community can consider the swirling flow and pathways of the Holy Spirit's power when Christians gather in numbers small and large, in spaces closed and open."" --Malinda Elizabeth Berry, associate professor of theology and ethics, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary ""As Christianity is being de-formed by ideological intersections of nationalism, capitalism, and white supremacy, Johnson and Wymer present a provocative volume addressing problematic religious histories that helped give rise to current spiritual and political locations of Free Churches. Through the lenses of worship and liturgy, Worship and Power invites readers to explore how congregational practices can inform, impact, and re-form churches, communities, and a flailing society that desperately need a church who knows where her true power lies."" --Lisa M. Allen-McLaurin, professor of church music and worship, The Interdenominational Theological Center ""Some books are germane because they cover a topic that is critical. Some books are relevant because they fill a vacuum that exists in scholarly literature. But some books are important because they are both. And so it is with Worship and Power. Addressing the question of authority in these very tumultuous times and helping to overcome the paucity of scholarship on Free Church worship, this book is a welcome and needed addition to liturgical studies."" --Lester Ruth, research professor of Christian worship, Duke Divinity School ""A breakthrough work by a new generation of liturgical scholars examining the heretofore neglected Free Church traditions of worship, asking the right questions for these times and then addressing them with cutting edge scholarship, critical skill, and pastoral concern. This admirably collaborative project should prove both encouraging and challenging for the churches, as well as informative to the wider liturgical academy."" --Bruce T. Morrill, SJ, chair of Roman Catholic studies, Vanderbilt University ""This is an essential book written by dynamic and diverse contributors representing a wide range of Free Church traditions. It invites the reader into dialogue with liturgical authority to reimagine power and practice with fresh insight and awareness. Worship leaders and scholars from a variety of backgrounds will benefit from this sound body of work as it deepens their engagement with questions of worship and power through this visionary work."" --Khalia Williams, associate dean of worship and spiritual formation, Emory University ""We don't often think of worship in terms of power and authority, but this social dynamic certainly exists and is significant for our holistic formation. In Worship and Power, Johnson and Wymer invite scholars to engage the power structures of various Free Church denominational traditions. What results is an intriguing and robust dialogue that can help us understand how our worship forms us and why it matters."" --Steven F�lix-J�ger, chair of worship arts and media, Life Pacific University ""Embedded in worship is power: the contrast of God's power with the 'powers and principalities' of this one; the power of presiders and laity; the power of worship to empower and transform worshippers. The contributors take up these negotiations of the power of worship with accountability, clarity, and faithfulness. This volume amplifies voices from the Free C"