Designing Worship Together: Models and Strategies for Worship Planning
Norma de Waal Malefyt, Howard Vanderwell
This book draws on more than two decades of collaborative worship planning by pastor Howard Vanderwell and musician Norma deWaal Malefyt of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, offering thoughtful, field-tested processes and tools for planning, implementing, and evaluating life-enriching weekly worship.
The authors enter into the trenches of weekly congregational life with this book, offering helpful insights into the process of how worship services are planned and led. DeWaal Malefyt and Vanderwell’s approach to worship arises from the biblical narrative, using the language of the Christian tradition and emphasizing that worship tells the story of God’s efforts through history to show us the path to union with God.
Designing Worship Together is also deeply connected to the experience of local congregations. DeWaal Malefyt and Vanderwell understand that the way in which God’s saving deeds are proclaimed will differ from church to church, from place to place, and from culture to culture and they present a process for designing worship services that is equally applicable in a wide diversity of congregations.
Foreword writer Robert Webber writes of Designing Worship Together, “In a day when worship, born out of an antihistorical attitude focuses on the self—what I need, what I want, what I do—it is refreshing to find a book that focuses on God yet is deeply concerned about the people engaged in worship.”
While many books are available about the theology of worship, worship styles, and issues of music, there are few resources on the value of careful worship planning. DeWaal Malefyt and Vanderwell offer the practical nuts and bolts that worship planners need, but this book is far more than a how-to for worship planners. In addition to describing best practices for worship planners, they clarify the role of vital worship in the life of a healthy congregation; identify the biblical assumptions underlying Christian worship; highlight the importance of teamwork in worship planning; name the issues and barriers worship planners must overcome; and suggest a variety of models for worship planning and evaluation.
This invaluable resource also features more than a dozen field-tested tools and a selected bibliography for worship planners to use as they continue to develop their ministries.
CLICK HERE to read "Designing Worship Together: Advice that Really Works," a Vital Worship Resource from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
Praise for the Book
"Pastor (Howard Vanderwell) and musician (Norma de Waal Malefyt) present a convincing case for a collaborative approach to worship planning—pastor, musicians, and congregants working together to structure worship. Drawing upon their joint experiences of collaborative worship planning and evaluation, they present a variety of models for this process and specific suggestions for implementation. This theologically sound and practically grounded book is a rich resource for those already working together to plan worship. It will be an eye opener for those yet to implement a collaborative approach to the art of worship planning." —John Ferguson
Elliot and Klara Stockdal Johnson Professor of Organ and Church Music
St. Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota
"As books on worship continue to proliferate, it is increasingly necessary for readers to make intelligent and strategically useful choices. Procuring Designing Worship Together: Models and Strategies for Worship Planning is an intelligent choice. It is obvious that the authors know the national scene, love the Lord, understand theology, and know how to organize their thoughts. They go beyond a cookie-cutter approach to worship planning and leading and provide excellent guidance based on a variety of experiences. They write peaceably, joyfully, and winsomely. Vanderwell and Malefyt continually challenge the reader to think theologically and act scripturally, and to open themselves to Spirit-driven newness." —Harold M. Best, Author and Former Dean of the Conservatory of Music Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
(More praise for the book)
About the Authors
Norma de Waal Malafyt is a resource development specialist for congregational song for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. She teaches organ and accompaniment skills for worship at Calvin College. She graduated from Calvin College with a degree in education and organ performance. She has served local congregations as organist and director of music.
Howard Vanderwell graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary and has completed graduate studies in homiletics and worship. After serving four Christian Reformed congregations as pastor and senior pastor, he began his work as resource development specialist for pastoral leadership for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
ISBN# 1-56699-296-6
Alban No. AL286
paper, 191 pages
2005
In stock
$17.00
($13.60 for members)
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