Gathered Before God

by Vann, Jane Rogers

• ISBN13: 9780664226305
• ISBN10: 0664226302
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-02-01
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Pr

Summary

What is the central purpose of the church today? How can churches experience renewal through worship? InGathered before God, Jane Rogers Vann answers these important questions by studying ten vibrant small, medium, and large churches. Her findings, she argues, show that worship is the most important thing churches do and is vital to the renewal of congregational life. Vann explores how these congregations changed into worship-centered churches and how their experiences can help other churches do the same.Gathered before Godoffers resources for pastors, worship leaders, and Christian educators to reflect on their worship, leading to an openness to change and processes to help church leaders support each other during the periods of reform and renewal. Moving beyond the "contemporary versus traditional debate,"Gathered before Godis an earnest call for us all to reclaim worship as a central act of our life together as Christians that expresses clearly what the church believes about God, itself, and the world.

Author Biography

Jane Rogers Vann is Professor of Christian Education at Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	1	(12)
Part I: Foundations for Congregational Renewal	13	(48)
Worship at the Center of Congregational Life	15	(22)
Experiential Learning in Congregational Life	37	(24)
Part II: Congregational Practices	61	(116)
How Congregations Worship	63	(25)
Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines	88	(22)
Study and Instruction	110	(19)
Ministry and Mission	129	(25)
Leadership in Worship-Centered Congregational Life	154	(23)
Conclusion	177	(4)
Notes	181