The Doctor of Worship Studies program is based significantly on the eight volumes of The Complete Library of Christian Worship.  Numerous articles and bibliographies appear in these volumes.  Because they form a basis of knowledge for our program, they will not be cited again in the reference materials below. The following bibliography covers additional resources (by no means exhaustive), some of which may be required reading for courses in the Doctor of Worship Studies program.  In light of the fact that Christian worship is always embodied within the cultural context of a community, the resources mentioned in the following bibliography will refer to cultural analyses as well as theological studies.  Many titles could easily be categorized under several “headings,” so it would be wise to explore multiple areas when building a list of possible resources to examine.

I. General Theological Resources

A.  Introductory Materials

AULEN, GUSTAV. Christus Victor:  An Historical Study of the Three Main Types of the Idea of the Atonement. New York: Collier Books, 1969.  [An examination of how the atonement of Christ has been explained in several ways throughout the history of the Church, highlighting the theology of Luther in particular.]

FERGUSON, SINCLAIR, DAVID WRIGHT, AND J. I. PACKER, EDS.  New Dictionary of Theology.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 1988.  [Over six hundred signed articles addressing a whole range of theological topics.  Written from an evangelical perspective, but providing a good, brief starting point for theological reflection.]

GRENZ, STANLEY J. Theology for the Community of God. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.  [Grenz presents the traditional themes of Christian doctrine, God, humankind, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the last things, all within an emphasis on God's central program for creation, namely, the establishment of community. Grenz blends biblical, historical, and contemporary concerns, providing a coherent vision of the faith that addresses both intellectual and practical issues.]

JOHNSON, ALAN F. and ROBERT E. WEBBER. What Christians Believe: A Biblical and Historical Summary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1990.

LOHSE, BERNHARD. A Short History of Christian Doctrine: From the First Century to the Present. Trans. by F. Ernest Stoeffer. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1978.

OLSON, ROGER E.   The Story of Christian Theology:  Twenty Centuries of Tradition and Reform.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 1999.  [A comprehensive, accessible retelling of the development of Christian theology, from the second century to the twentieth.]

OTTO, RUDOLF. The Idea of the Holy. Trans. by John W. Harvey. New York: Oxford University Press, 1958.  [An excellent study of the non-rational dimension of religion.  Otto’s work helps those who identify the Christian faith primarily in terms of ethics, explore the emotive, mysterious realm of God’s reality in relation to the rational.]

B.  The Church

BLOESCH, DONALD G.  The Church:  Sacraments, Worship, Ministry, Mission.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 2002.  [Representing the sixth volume of a seven volume systematic theology, Bloesch addresses his understanding of ecclesiology in this work.  He articulates his theological understanding of church, discusses issues facing the church today (e.g., authority, feminism, ecumenicity and worship), and offers reflections that seek balance and integrity from an evangelical perspective.]

CLAPP, RODNEY. A Peculiar People: The Church in a Post-Christian Society. Downers Grove, I.L.: Intervarsity Press, 1996.  [Clapp explores the impact of the "culture wars" on the church and, while critical of the methods of many of the evangelical "warriors," sees redeeming value in many of the assertions they make about a distinctive Christian way of life. Clapp redefines liturgy, social ethics and especially evangelism and missions for a postmodern church whose locus is not the individual but the faith community.]

DULLES, AVERY R. Models of the Church, Expanded edition. New York: Doubleday, 1987.  [Dulles articulates and analyzes multiple models used to define the nature and purpose of the Church.  Various models are explained in terms of function, affect on believers, and mission.  A wonderful introduction to the topic of ecclesiology.]

HAUERWAS, STANLEY. A Community of Character. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1988.  [Using his specialization in ethics, Hauerwas emphasizes how the community of the church must exhibit its theological beliefs with integrity in and through relationships.  The family is a primary model used in this book for seeking to be “church.”]

OGDEN, GREG. The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1992.  [Ogden argues for a re-visioning of the “priesthood of all believers” as he considers the large number of people in our churches who remain fairly inactive in their faith.  He seeks to mobilize the people of God for the work of Christ, especially in an American context of stress.]

C.  Post-Modernity and Theological Reflection

ALLEN, DIOGENES. Christian Belief in a Postmodern World: The Full Wealth of Conviction. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989.

BAKER, JONNY, ET. AL.  Alternative Worship:  Resources from and for the Emerging Church.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2004.  (Includes CD)  [Organized around the church year seasons of Advent/Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, this volume contains written liturgies, prayers, meditations, music tracks, images, and video loops and animations, as examples of resources used in what is now called, “the Emerging Church.”  Biblical and theological integrity are joined to creativity and technological savvy in these offerings.]

DOCKERY, DAVID S., EDITOR. The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Second edition.  Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001.  [A series of essays by evangelical thinkers, seeking to define and engage a “postmodern” perspective in relation to our culture and church life.  An expanded bibliography is found in this second edition.]

ERICKSON, MILLARD J. Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998.  [Erickson examines postmodern thought by recounting three negative and three positive reactions to the philosophical movement by evangelical thinkers.  He adds his own assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each response as he proceeds through each view.]

GRENZ, STANLEY J. A Primer on Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996.  [An excellent starting point for understanding “postmodernity” and its impact on Christian theological reflection.  Grenz identifies the roots of “postmodern” thought, its ethos, significant advocates, and challenges for the church today.]

GRENZ, STANLEY J.  The Social God and the Relational Self:  Toward a Theology of the Imago Dei in a Postmodern Context.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox, 2001. 

GRENZ, STANLEY J., AND JOHN R. FRANKE.  Beyond Foundationalism:  Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001.

HENDERSON, DAVID W.  Culture Shift:  Communicating God’s Truth to Our Changing World.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 1999.  [Henderson identifies issues related to American patterns of consumerism, passivity, and individuality, and suggests alternative ways of living as Christians in our culture in light of post-modern assumptions.]

KIMBALL, DAN, ET. AL.  The Emerging Church.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing House, 2003.  [A good primer for seeking to understand an alternative way of visioning the Church in the world today.  Various characteristics of the “Emerging Church” and its “holistic approach” are described in ways that will spark important conversation for mission-minded congregations.]

KIMBALL, DAN, ET. AL.  Emerging Worship:  Creating Worship Gatherings for New Generations.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 2004.  [A useful guide for beginning to understand the “Emerging Church” or “Alternative Worship” movement.  Kimball, pastor of Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, California, provides an understanding of the impulses behind the emerging church and strategies for designing worship that are used in these communities of faith today.]

KNIGHT, HENRY H. III. A Future for Truth: Evangelical Theology in a Postmodern World. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997.  [Knight examines the historical movement of evangelicalism, and the philosophical movements of modernity and post-modernity, suggesting theological constructs that will help evangelicals navigate life today in relevant ways consistent with the Christian faith.]

LINDBECK, GEORGE; TIMOTHY PHILLIPS; and DENNIS L. OCKHOLM, EDITORS. The Nature of Confession: Evangelicals & Postliberals in Conversation. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1996.  [A series of essays inviting dialog between evangelical and postliberal theologians on a variety of topics, including epistemology, theological method, and various doctrinal issues.]

McLAREN, BRIAN.  The Church on the Other Side.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 2003.  [Formerly titled, “Reinventing Your Church,” this revised and expanded edition offers thirteen strategies for navigating the modern/postmodern transition.  McLaren discusses critical distinctions between renewed, restored, and reinvented churches.  He addresses redefining a church’s mission, explores fresh ways to conceive of and communicate the gospel, and examines ways of entering, understanding, and engaging the postmodern world.]

McLAREN, BRIAN.  More Ready Than You Realize:  Evangelism as Dance in the Postmodern Matrix.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 2002.  [Approaches the art of disciple-making with fresh eyes, seeking to connect to people who embrace the visually-oriented, paradox-tolerant generation associated with “post-modernity.”]

MILLER, M. REX.  The Millenium Matrix:  Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass, 2004.  [Writing as a communications expert, with training in business and theology, Miller discusses historical shifts in the ways in which information has been gathered and distributed, seeking to highlight the impact that such realities have on worship and spirituality today.]

OSBORNE, KENAN B.  Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World:  A Theology for the Third Millennium.  New York:  Paulist Press, 1999.  [A sound investigation of the ramifications of post-modern philosophical thinking on the development of sacramental theology for today’s churches.  Familiarity with post-modern philosophical thought would be helpful in reading Osborne.  In part, his goal is to discern how investigation into four areas, “return to the subject, the question of temporality, the limits of language, and Haecceitas, or individuality,” might enhance our understanding of sacramental theology today.]

PECKLERS, KEITH, ED.  Liturgy in a Postmodern World.  New York:  Continuum Publishing, 2003.  [The product of a gathering of international Jesuit scholars in 2002, these fine essays explore issues of worship in a multi-cultural, contemporary world.  This volume is not a philosophical primer, but is an attempt to explore how worship can be enriched as it is developed and celebrated in cultures influenced (to varying degrees) by postmodern values.  Thirteen essays are included in this collection.  Topics include responding to Vatican II liturgical reforms today, film and worship, liturgical inculturation (both from Eastern and Western perspectives), Eucharist, preaching, ecumenism, and inter-faith dialog.]

REDMAN, ROBB.  The Great Worship Awakening:  Singing a New Song in the Postmodern Church.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass, 2002.  [Redman examines four trends he finds at work in the North American church today that are contributing to an awakening of worship:  1) the “seeker service” movement; 2) the “praise and worship” movement; 3) the Christian music industry; and, 4) the Liturgical Renewal movement.  Redman’s intention is to analyze, more than describe, these trends and their impact on worship.  He considers issues such as the rapid pace of cultural change today, ethnic and cultural diversity, an emerging postmodern worldview, personal experience, popular culture and new communication media and technologies, in an effort to discern how churches might discover ways of bringing renewal to their corporate worship.]

RIDDELL, MICHAEL, ET. AL.  The Prodigal Project:  Journey Into the Emerging Church.  London:  SPCK, 2000.  (Includes CD)  [Reflections of three church leaders from New Zealand and Australia concerning their sojourn for authentic and relevant expressions of church and worship for younger generations.  An illuminating book for understanding the desires and concerns of those seeking an “alternative” to a perceived static and lifeless organized church.]

SMITH, JR., CHUCK.  The End of the World as We Know It:  Clear Direction for Bold and Innovative Ministry in a Postmodern World.  Colorado Springs:  Waterbrook Press, 2001.

SWEET, LEONARD, ED.  Church in Emerging Culture:  Five Perspectives.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 2003.  [Andy Crouch, Brian D. McLaren, Erwin Raphael McManus, Michael Horton, and Frederica Matthewes-Green, each author a chapter in this work reflecting on how they envision the “church” taking shape in light of cultural shifts.]

SWEET, LEONARD.  Post-Modern Pilgrims:  First Century Passion for the Twenty-first Century Church.  Nashville:  Broadman and Holman Publishing, 2000.  [Sweet uses the acronym "E-P-I-C" (Experientially, Participatory, Image-Driven, Connected) to define how our postmodern society functions. Specifically, he offers practical steps for achieving optimal, effective connection with those outside the faith.]

SWEET, LEONARD, J. HASELMAYER, AND BRIAN D. McLAREN.  A is for Abductive:  The Language of the Emerging Church.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 2002.

TOMLINSON, DAVE. The Post-Evangelical. London: SPCK, 1995.  [To be released in paperback by Zondervan in October 2003, this book wrestles with questions related to appropriating scripture, discerning truth, approaching the world, and using labels (for example, “liberal” and “conservative”) among Christians, among other issues.  A thought-provoking book that seeks to reclaim the power of evangelicalism for today.]

VEITH, JR., GENE EDWARD. Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture (Turning Point Christian Worldview). Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1994.  [Veith introduces the reader to the foundational assumptions of postmodernism, the prevailing philosophical construct in the intellectual community, discussing the dire consequences for a culture which has abandoned age-old definitions of truth and meaning.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E. Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1999.  [The first title in his “Ancient-Future” series, Webber articulates concern for the shift from a “modern” to a “postmodern” worldview among Evangelicals in this work.  He addresses the topics of Christ, Church, worship, spirituality, and mission.  Webber identifies important insights he gathers from writings of the first six hundred years of the Church, and applies them to each of the five topics in order to help shape sound evangelical theology in a “postmodern” world.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E.  The Younger Evangelicals:  Facing the Challenge of the New World.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2002.  [An engaging analysis of movements within Evangelical circles over the last fifty years.  Webber identifies characteristics of “traditional,” “pragmatic,” and “younger” evangelicals, identifying how the “younger” movement emerged, what they believe, and the potential they bring to the future of the Church.]

WINTER, RICHARD.  Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment:  Rediscovering Passion and Wonder.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 2002.  [A cultural critique of our society, probing the roots of boredom in a media saturated environment.  Winter goes on to suggest ways in which we might counteract boredom, seeking life with passion and wonder.]

II.  General Introductory Resources for Worship Study

BERKLEY, JAMES D.  Leadership Handbook of Preaching and Worship:  Practical Insights from a Cross Section of Ministry Leaders.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 1997.  [Published in conjunction with Christianity Today, a collection of two hundred articles by significant church leaders that address a host of issues related to preaching, worship, music, the Lord’s Supper, baptism, weddings, and funerals.]

BYARS, RONALD P.  Christian Worship:  Glorifying and Enjoying God.  Geneva Press, 2000.  [Commissioned by the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), this work explores the theological foundation for worship, focused on Word and Sacrament.  Byars discusses the motivation, shape, and future of worship for Christians today, paying particular attention to the role that God’s Word, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, have in our celebrations.]

Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry:  Faith and Order Paper No. 111.  Geneva, Switzerland:  World Council of Churches, 1982.  [A fundamental statement expressing the theological convergence of the ecumenical movement at work in the Christian church on the issues of baptism, eucharist, and the forms and orders of ministry.]

BRADSHAW, PAUL, EDITOR.  The New Westminster Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship.  Second edition.  Philadelphia:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2002.  [A useful reference tool for brief articles on terms related to Christian worship history, theology, and practices.  This new edition includes recent scholarly insights and updated bibliographies in the signed articles.]

DIX, GREGORY.  Shape of the Liturgy.  New York:  Seabury Press, 1984.  [A modern “classic” of liturgical study, Dix identifies important elements of Eucharistic liturgies that have been repeated throughout the history of the church.  His overall goal was to find a common “shape” to such celebrations.  Recent research, by Paul Bradshaw and others, has seriously questioned Dix’s particular approach, but Dix’s contributions are still relevant, applicable, and worth considering today.]

FINK, PETER E., EDITOR.  The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship.  Collegeville, M.N.:  Michael Glazier/The Liturgical Press, 1997.  [An excellent resource of signed articles related to topics of Christian worship, particularly oriented to a Roman Catholic perspective.  Special attention is paid to changes that have occurred in the wake of Vatican II and implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.]

JONES, CHESLYN, GEOFFREY WAINWRIGHT, EDWARD YARNOLD, AND PAUL BRADSHAW, EDITORS. The Study of Liturgy.  Revised edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.  [A helpful collection of essays exploring Christian worship from its roots to the twentieth century.  Historical and theological developments are addressed, with sections addressing issues related to initiation, Eucharist, ordination, the Divine Office, the calendar, and the setting of the liturgy.]

LIESCH, BARRY WAYNE. People in the Presence of God: Models and Directions for Worship. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1988.  [Liesch offers biblical perspective, historical awareness, musical and artistic sensitivity, authentic reverence, and creative stimulation in this book, seeking to promote the renewal of worship according to biblical models.]

MITMAN, F. RUSSELL.  Worship in the Shape of Scripture.  New York:  Pilgrim Press, 2001.  [Mitman explores the tremendous significance that Scripture could, and should, have in guiding our worship events.  He discusses the formative power of the biblical text on worship, highlighting its purpose, role and potential for celebrations today.  He also examines the interplay between music, gesture, and space, in relation to the Word.]

THOMPSON, BARD, EDITOR.  A Bibliography of Christian Worship.  Metuchen, N.J.:  The Scarecrow Press, 1988.  [One of the most comprehensive bibliographies for historical and theological resources connected to Christian worship.  Limited to pre-1988, but excellent.]

TORRANCE, JAMES B. Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1997.  [A call to allow our worship to become Trinitarian again in focus.  Torrance identifies ways in which our worship has not always embraced the Triune God and suggests ways in which a Trinitarian theology of worship might constructively shape our understandings and practices today.]

TOZER, A. W. Whatever Happened to Worship? Ed. by Gerald B. Smith. Camp Hill, P. A..: Christian Publications, 1985.  [Originally preached as a series of sermons, Tozer’s remarks identify worship as central to the life of the Church.  He emphasizes the focus of worship on God, the need for humanity to engage fully in worship, and sees worship as lived out in our lives each day.  An inspirational and thought-provoking book.]

UNDERHILL, EVELYN. Worship. New York:  The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1989.  [First published in 1936, Underhill has produced an examination of the nature, practice, and history of Christian worship that is accessible and moving.  Her knowledge of Christian spirituality is particularly engaging as she reflects on embodying Christian beliefs in tangible practices.]

VAN OLST, E. H. The Bible and Liturgy. Trans. by John Vriend. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1991.

WAINWRIGHT, GEOFFREY. Doxology: The Praise of God In Worship, Doctrine, and Life; a Systematic Theology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1980. 

WEBBER, ROBERT E. Blended Worship: Achieving Substance and Relevance in Worship . Peabody, M.A.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996. (Original Title: The Worship Phenomenon)  [Aimed at initiating renewal in worship, Webber emphasizes the importance of the biblical content of our worship through a variety of stylistic expressions.  He makes practical suggestions for integrating various expressions in a number of areas, such as, through inclusion of the arts, use of the Christian year, and the use of sacred actions in worship.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E., EDITOR. The Complete Library of Christian Worship.  Eight volumes. Peabody, M.A.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1993-1994.  [The basic, foundational library upon which our program is structured.  A set of volumes with signed articles and extensive bibliographies, examining worship from the perspective of its biblical foundations, history, renewal, music and the arts, Christian year, rituals, and various ministries.  Particularly unique are the wide variety of denominational statements found throughout the series in relation to various worship topics.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E. Worship Old and New: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Introduction.  Revised edition.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company Publishing, 1994.  [In this revision of a 1982 publication, Webber examines the biblical foundations of worship, a biblical theology of worship, a brief history of worship, and the practice of worship.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E. Worship Is a Verb: Eight Principles for Transforming Worship. Second edition.  Peabody, M.A.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.  [An excellent study of eight fundamental principles of worship, emphasizing the dynamic quality and participatory nature of our celebrations.  This is an important starting point for one’s exploration of Christian worship in general.]

WHITE, JAMES F. Introduction to Christian Worship.  Third edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000.  [A comprehensive introduction to basic components of Christian worship, including time, space, music, prayer, preaching, sacraments, and occasional services.  Important historical and theological insights are highlighted in relation to the topics.]

III. Historical Resources for Worship Study

A.  General Historical Surveys

SENN, FRANK C. Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997.  [An excellent detailed historical analysis of primarily the development of Western Christian liturgy, seeking to emphasize the importance of tradition and renewal.  Senn incorporates insights from multiple disciplines in recounting important expressions and changes in practice.]

THOMPSON, BARD.  Liturgies of the Western Church.  Cleveland:  Meridian Books, 1961.  [A rich source of primary source materials drawn from significant historical time periods, including selections from early church sources, Latin and English versions of the Mass, and many reformed services (e.g., from Luther, Zwingli, Bucer, Calvin, the prayer books of King Edward VI, Knox, the English Puritans, “The Westminster Directory,” Baxter, and John Wesley).]

WHITE, JAMES F. A Brief History of Christian Worship. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993.  [A reliable, accessible historical overview of worship practices from the New Testament period to today.  Initiation, public prayer, Eucharist, Christian time, pastoral rites, leadership, preaching, music, and architecture are all briefly discussed in relation to various large blocks of time (e.g., “Middle Ages,” “Reformation Period,” “Modern Times”).]

WHITE, JAMES F. Documents of Christian Worship: Descriptive and Interpretive Sources. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992.  [A useful collection of primary source materials related to worship, organized by topics:  teaching, time, space, prayer, service of the Word, sacraments in general, initiation, Eucharist, and occasional services.]

WHITE, SUSAN J.  A History of Women in Christian Worship.  Cleveland:  The Pilgrim Press, 2003.  [A long overdue analysis of the significant role that women have played in the historical development and practice of Christian worship.  White highlights the difficulties present in trying to “locate” the presence of women in historical studies, but notes important figures and sources which shed light on many overlooked leaders.]

B.  Biblical and Early Church Worship Studies

BRADSHAW, PAUL F.  Early Christian Worship:  A Basic Introduction to Ideas and Practice.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 1996.  [A helpful introduction to early church worship practices, including descriptions of why they worshipped in particular ways.]

BRADSHAW, PAUL F.  The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship:  Sources and Methods for the Study of Early Liturgy.  Second edition.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 2002.  [A revision of an important work that seeks to argue for a diversity of expression of worship practices in the first four centuries of the church.  This edition includes a rewriting of Bradshaw’s “ten principles for interpreting early Christian liturgical evidence” and two new chapters, “Ministry and Ordination” and “The Effects of the Coming of Christendom in the Fourth Century.”  Bibliographies are also updated in the new edition.]

BRADSHAW, PAUL F., AND LAWRENCE A. HOFFMAN.  The Making of Jewish and Christian Worship.  Notre Dame:  University of Notre Dame Press, 1991.  [An engaging series of essays examining methodologies of investigating the origins of worship as well as insights into the evolution of Jewish and Christian worship patterns.]

BRUEGGEMANN, WALTER. Israel's Praise: Doxology Against Idolatry and Ideology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1988.

HILL, ANDREW E. Enter His Courts with Praise: Old Testament Worship for the New Testament Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996. 

HOLLADAY, WILLIAM L. The Psalms through Three Thousand Years: Prayerbook of a Cloud of Witnesses. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.

MARTIN, RALPH P. Worship in the Early Church. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1975.

MOWINCKEL, SIGMUND.  The Psalms in Israel’s Worship.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2004.  [A revised and updated reissue of a classic study of the Hebrew Psalms, locating them in the worship life of the Israelite Temple.]

OWENS, RON. Return to Worship: Letters to the Church. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishing, 1999.

PETERSON, DAVID. Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1992.

QUASTEN, JOHANNES.  Music and Worship in Pagan and Christian Antiquity.  Washington, D.C.:  National Association of Pastoral Musicians, 1983.

C.  Medieval Church Worship Studies

HARPER, JOHN.  The Forms and Orders of Western Liturgy from the Tenth to the Eighteenth Century:  A Historical Introduction and Guide for Students and Musicians.  Oxford:  Clarendon Press, 1991.  [A well articulated analysis of the development of Western liturgical practice of the Medieval church, including chapters on the calendar, liturgical books, the Psalter, the Divine Office, and the Mass.  Particular attention is paid to the role of music in liturgical celebrations.  Tridentine and Anglican reforms receive attention.  The latter portion of the book explains the complexity surrounding the establishment of normative liturgical texts.]

MACY, GARY.  Treasures from the Storeroom:  Medieval Religion and the Eucharist.  Collegeville, M.N.:  Pueblo/The Liturgical Press, 1999.  [An excellent re-examination of the issues related to the celebration and understanding of the Eucharist in the medieval church.]

TAFT, ROBERT F.  Beyond East and West:  Problems in Liturgical Understanding.  Washington D.C.:  The Pastoral Press, 1984.

VOGEL, CYRILLE.  Medieval Liturgy:  An Introduction to the Sources.  Washington D.C.:  The Pastoral Press, 1986.

D.  Reformation Church Worship Studies

CALVIN, JEAN.  Institutes of the Christian Religion.  London:  SCM Press, 1961.

CUMING, G.J.  A History of Anglican Liturgy.  London:  Macmillan Publishing, 1982.

CUMING, G.J.  The Godly Order:  Texts and Studies Relating to the Book of Common Prayer.  London:  SPCK, The Alcuin Club, 1983.

ESTEP, WILLIAM R.  The Anabaptist Story:  An Introduction to Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism.  Third revised edition.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1996.

JASPER, RONALD C.  The Development of the Anglican Liturgy, 1662-1980.  London:  SPCK, 1989.

KLAASSEN, WALTER.  Anabaptism in Outline:  Selected Primary Sources.  Scottsdale, P.A.:  Herald Press, 1981.

KLAASSEN, WALTER.  Biblical and Theological Bases for Worship in the Believers’ Church.  Newton, K.S.:  Faith and Life Press, 1978.

LUTHER, MARTIN.  Luther’s Works.  Jaroslav Pelikan, ed.  Saint Louis:  Concordia Publishing House, 1955-1986.  [See especially volumes 35-38, and 53, for Luther’s reflections on liturgy.]

OLD, HUGHES OLIPHANT.  The Patristic Roots of Reformed Worship.  Zurich:  Theologische Verlag, 1974.

OLD, HUGHES OLIPHANT.  Worship Reformed According to Scripture.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2002.  [A revised and expanded version of his earlier 1984 edition, Olds recalls a history of worship, explores several components of worship in depth, and suggests ways in which worship could be renewed today in light of impulses found in the Reformed tradition.]

PIPKIN AND YODER, EDS.  Balthasar Hubmaier:  Theologian of Anabaptism.  Scottsdale, P.A.:  Herald Press, 1989.

SIMMONS, MENNO.  Complete Writings of Menno Simmons.  Scottsdale, P.A.:  Herald Press, 1956.

VAJTA, VILMOS.  Luther on Worship:  An Interpretation.  Philadelphia:  Fortress Press, 1958.

WHITE, JAMES F. Roman Catholic Worship: Trent to Today. Second edition.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 2003.  [A wonderful overview of liturgical developments in the Roman Catholic tradition over the last four and one half centuries.  White’s writing is clear and balanced.]

ZWINGLI, ULRICH.  Commentary on True and False Religion.  Durham, N.C.:  Labyrinth, 1981.

E.  Modern Church Worship Studies

ADAMS, DOUG.  Meeting House to Camp Meeting:  Toward a History of American Free Church Worship from 1620-1835.  Saratoga:  Modern Liturgy Resource Publications, 1981.

BARCLAY, ROBERT.  An Apology for the true Christian divinity, being an explanation and vindication of the principles and doctrines of the people called Quakers.  Philadelphia:  Friends’ Book Store, 1908.

BORGEN, OLE E.  John Wesley on the Sacraments:  A Theological Study.  Grand Rapids:  Francis Asbury Press, 1985.

BUGNINI, ANNIBALE.  The Reform of the Liturgy, 1948-1975.  Collegeville, M.N.  The Liturgical Press, 1990.

DAVIES, HORTON.  The Worship of the American Puritans, 1629-1730.  New York:  P. Lang, 1990.

Documents of the Liturgy, 1963-1979:  Conciliar, Papal, and Curial Texts.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 1982.

FENWICK, JOHN R. K. and BRYAN D. SPINKS. Worship In Transition: The Liturgical Movement In the Twentieth Century. New York: Continuum Publishing Group, 1995.

GOODWIN, EVERETT C.  Down by the Riverside:  A Brief History of Baptist Faith.  Valley Forge:  Judson Press, 2002.

HALL, FRANCIS, ED.  Quaker Worship in North America.  Richmond, I.N.:  Friends United Press, 1979.

HATCHETT, MARION J.  Commentary on the American Prayer Book.  New York:  Seabury Press, 1980.

HATCHETT, MARION J.  The Making of the First American Book of Common Prayer, 1776-1789.  New York:  Seabury Press, 1982.

HUGHES, KATHLEEN, ED.  How Firm a Foundation:  Voices of the Early Liturgical Movement.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1990.

LEONARD, BILL S.  Baptist Ways:  A History.  Valley Forge:  Judson Press, 2003.

The Liturgy Documents, Volume One.  Fourth edition.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 2004.  [A significant collection of important Roman Catholic liturgical materials that seek to apply the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Music in Catholic Worship, Liturgical Music Today, and Built of Living Stones, among others, are included in this new edition.]

The Liturgy Documents, Volume Two.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1999.  [A second volume of important Roman Catholic liturgical materials that seek to apply the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.  Includes thirteen documents, published from 1969-1998.]

McBETH, H. LEON.  The Baptist Heritage:  Four Centuries of Baptist Witness.  Nashville:  Broadman Press, 1987.

McBETH, H. LEON.  A Sourcebook for Baptist Heritage.  Nashville:  Broadman Press, 1990.

RUTH, LESTER.  A Little Heaven Below:  Worship at Early Methodist Quarterly Meetings.  Nashville:  Kingswood Books, 2000.  [Using largely primary sources in this excellent study, Ruth highlights the variety and significance of worship expressions practiced in these ecumenical gatherings.  His insights have challenged a more static historical caricature, introducing a vibrancy to worship that had been overlooked or ignored.]

SPINKS, BRYAN D.  Freedom or Order?  The Eucharistic Liturgy in English Congregationalism, 1645-1980.  Allison Park, P.A.:  Pickwick Publications, 1984.

STEVENSON, KENNETH, AND BRIAN SPINKS, EDS.  The Identity of Anglican Worship.  Harrisburg, P.A.:  Morehouse Publishers, 1991.

TORBET, ROBERT G.  History of the Baptists.  Third edition.  Valley Forge:  Judson Press, 1973.

TUZIK, ROBERT L., ED.  How Firm a Foundation:  Leaders of the Liturgical Movement.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1990.

VISCHER, LUKAS, ED.  Christian Worship in Reformed Churches Past and Present.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2003.  [Vischer has compiled an outstanding collection of essays by contemporary scholars (drawn from an international conference) discussing the shape of worship in the Reformed tradition.  Historical analyzes and contemporary reflections are both present in this work.]

WESTERFIELD TUCKER, KAREN B.  American Methodist Worship.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 2001.  [Westerfield Tucker has provided a comprehensive examination of the development of Methodist worship within a particular North American context in this book.]

WHITE, JAMES F. Protestant Worship: Traditions in Transition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1989.  [White sketches the emergence of Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, Anglican, Separatist and Puritan, Quaker, Methodist, Frontier, and Pentecostal, worship traditions in this volume.  His insights provide useful historical circumstances and understandings that will assist with respecting the variety of theological approaches to worship our congregations exhibit today.]

IV.  Theological Resources for Worship Study

A.  General Introductions to Liturgical Theology

COOKE, BERNARD. Sacraments and Sacramentality. Mystic, C.T.: Twenty-Third Publications, 1994.

FAGERBURG, DAVID W. What Is Liturgical Theology? A Study in Methodology. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1992.

HUGHES, GRAHAM.  Worship as Meaning:  A Liturgical Theology for Late Modernity.  Cambridge:  Cambridge University Press, 2003.  [Hughes delves into liturgical constructions of meaning within the larger context of late twentieth-century meaning theory in this work.  Making particular use of the writings of Charles Peirce, he employs semiotic theory to analyze the construction, transmission and apprehension of meaning within an actual worship service.]

KAVANAGH, AIDAN. On Liturgical Theology (Hale Memorial Lectures of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, 1981). New York: Pueblo, 1984.

LATHROP, GORDON W.  Holy Ground:  A Liturgical Cosmology.  Minneapolis:  Fortress Press, 2003.  [In this third treatise of liturgical theology, Lathrop explores the extent to which the central symbols and interactions of Christian liturgy yield, for their participants, a new proposal for their understanding and experience of the world.]

LATHROP, GORDON W.  Holy People:  A Liturgical Ecclesiology.  Minneapolis:  Fortress Press, 1999.

LATHROP, GORDON W. Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.  [

OLD, HUGHES OLIPHANT. Themes and Variations for a Christian Doxology (Clinton Lectures, 1989, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary). Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1992.

SALIERS, DON E. Worship as Theology: Foretaste of Glory Divine. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.  [Saliers focuses on specific dimensions of liturgical action here, seeking to identify differences between more formal worship traditions (liturgical/sacramental) and less formal traditions (‘free church’/evangelical).]

SCHMEMANN, ALEXANDER. For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy. Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1988.  [An excellent initial exposure to the theological meaning and significance of sacraments in Eastern Orthodox worship.]

SCHMEMANN, ALEXANDER. Introduction to Liturgical Theology. Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1986. 

VAN DYK, LEANNE, EDITOR.  A More Profound Alleluia:  Theology and Worship in Harmony.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005.  [A collection of essays by the editor and contributors such as John Witvliet, William Dyrness, Ronald Byars, Martha Moore-Keish, and David Stubbs, pairing elements of worship with larger theological issues (such as the Trinity, Christology, and Ecclesiology).  The goal of these essays is to increase the theological understanding and significance of our worship celebrations.]

WAINWRIGHT, GEOFFREY. Doxology, the Praise of God in Worship, Doctrine and Life: A Systematic Theology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1984.

WALLACE, RONALD.  Calvin’s Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament.  Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1997.

WHITE, JAMES F.  The Sacraments in Protestant Practice and Faith.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1999.  [White provides a clear and helpful investigation of the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist within a variety of Reformation traditions.  His descriptions and differentiations are helpful for today, as we consider the potential the sacraments have for contemporary worship renewal.]

WITVLIET, JOHN D.  Worship Seeking Understanding: Windows into Christian Practice .  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2003.  [A collection of some of the best essays that Witvliet has published over the last ten years.  The essays address a variety of topics, paying attention to biblical studies, theological issues, and pastoral care.  Witvliet successfully navigates between theory and practice, between related disciplines, and across denominational lines in this fine work.]

VOGEL, DWIGHT.  Primary Sources of Liturgical Theology:  A Reader.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 2000.

B.  The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist

CUMING, GEOFFREY J. and R. C. JASPER. Prayers of the Eucharist. Third edition.  Collegeville, M.N.: Liturgical Press, 1987.

FOLEY, EDWARD. From Age to Age: How Christians Celebrated the Eucharist. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1991.

JEREMIAS, JOACHIM.  The Eucharistic Words of Jesus.  London:  SCM Press, 1966.  [An excellent study of the Gospel texts reflecting Jesus and the Last Supper, the institution narrative, and early celebrations of the Lord’s Supper.]

MACY, GARY. The Banquet's Wisdom: A Short History of the Theologies of the Lord's Supper. New York: Paulist Press, 1992.

O'CONNOR, JAMES T. The Hidden Manna: A Theology of the Eucharist. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1996.

RORDORF, WILLY, ET. AL. The Eucharist of the Early Christians. New York: Pueblo Publishing Company, 1978.

SCHILLEBEECKX, EDWARD.  The Eucharist.  New York:  Sheed and Ward, 1968.  [Schillebeeckx powerfully unfolds the theological importance of Eucharist in a post-Vatican II environment.  Of particular importance is his discussion of “transsignification” to better express the mystery of “transubstantiation.”]

SCHMEMANN, ALEXANDER. The Eucharist: Sacrament of the Kingdom. Trans. by Paul Kachur. Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1989. [The best articulated theological exposition detailing the Eastern Orthodox understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist.]

STOOKEY, LAURENCE HULL.  Eucharist:  Christ’s Feast With the Church.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1993.  [Written in less technical language, Stookey provides a marvelous introduction to the diversity of theological understandings of the Lord’s Supper as they have developed historically.  Particular attention is paid to the traditions of Methodists, Presbyterians, and the United Church of Christ.]

WELKER, MICHAEL.  What Happens in Holy Communion?  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000.  [Welker gives an explanation of holy communion based on the biblical tradition and evaluates the ecumenical discourse on communion of the past thirty years, seeking to find common understanding between various traditions.]

C.  Baptism and Christian Initiation

BEASLEY-MURRAY, GEORGE R.  Baptism in the New Testament.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1962.  [Beginning with Old Testament rituals and moving through early church practice, Beasley-Murray provides a thorough critical analysis of Scripture in defense of believers’ baptism.]

BRIDGE, DONALD and DAVID PHYPERS. The Water that Divides: A Survey of the Doctrine of Baptism.  Fearn, Great Britain:  Mentor Books, 1998. [Beginning with Scripture, the authors describe the approaches of both pedobaptists and believer Baptists, historically and theologically.  They help to unravel the tension between both practices today and seek to constructively identify the significant underlying issues.]

FISHER, J.D.C.  Christian Initiation:  Baptism in the Medieval West.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 2004.  [A reissue of Fisher’s classic study of baptism in the Western medieval church, with an introduction by G. Austin.  Originally a part of the Alcuin Club liturgical studies series, this investigation traces the gradual separation of baptism, confirmation, and first communion, in various Western rites.]

KREIDER, ALAN.  The Change of Conversion and the Origin of Christendom.  Harrisburg, P.A.:  Trinity Press International, 1999.  [An engaging short volume, Kreider argues persuasively that Augustine’s concern for conversion is a significant root for the popularization of the practice of infant baptism.]

MURPHY CENTER FOR LITURGICAL RESEARCH.  Made, Not Born:  New Perspectives on Christian Initiation and the Catechumenate.  Notre Dame, I.N.:  University of Notre Dame Press, 1976.  [Wonderful essays examining the historical and theological development of Christian initiation in the church, with an eye toward renewing a catechumenate model in the church today.]

SCHMEMANN, ALEXANDER.  Of Water and the Spirit.  Crestwood, N.Y.:  St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1974.

STOOKEY, LAURENCE HULL.  Baptism:  Christ’s Act in the Church.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1982.  [Stookey provides an accessible guide to how baptism has been understood theologically throughout the development of the church.  He pays attention to particular pastoral issues related to the practice of baptism also.]

TURNER, PAUL.  Ages of Initiation:  The First Two Millennia.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 2000.  [A helpful survey of the texts related to the history of confirmation and first communion, focusing on the age of the candidate and the sequence of the rites.  A companion CD includes extensive primary source materials with the brief book serving as a summary of these sources.]

TURNER, PAUL.  Confirmation:  The Baby in Solomon’s Court.  New York:  Paulist Press, 1993.  [An excellent survey of the development of the rite of confirmation through the history of the church.  Turner identifies seven models of confirmation and initiates critical reflections useful for our practices today.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E.  Journey to Jesus:  The Worship, Evangelism, and Nurture Mission of the Church.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 2002.  [Webber proposes a model for nurturing believers in their faith through the establishment and celebration of particular stages of development.  His work is based on early catechumenate models of initiation and has much to offer churches today struggling to move their faithful to Christian maturity.]

WHITAKER, E.C., AUTHOR, AND MAXWELL E. JOHNSON, ED.  Documents of the Baptismal Liturgy.  Revised and expanded edition.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 2003.  [Useful translations of baptismal liturgies from the second to the ninth centuries, from both the Western and Eastern church, help to provide an understanding of the range of understandings and practices connected to this ritual in the history of the church.  Whitaker was the original author of this text.  Johnson has gathered additional, more recent materials (since the original 1960 edition), that shed light on the historical development of baptismal rites.]

YARNOLD, EDWARD.  The Awe-Inspiring Rites of Initiation:  Baptismal Homilies of the Fourth Century.  Slough, Great Britain:  St. Paul Publications, 1971.

D.  Pastoral Rites and Practices

BATTS, SIDNEY F.  The Protestant Wedding Sourcebook:  A Complete Guide for Developing Your Own Service.  Louisville:  Westminister/John Knox Press, 1993.  [The value of this book is the collection of a variety of texts associated with all moments in the wedding liturgy and the reproduction of a host of Protestant wedding services.]

BELL, CATHERINE.  Ritual:  Perspectives and Dimensions.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 1995.

BRADSHAW, PAUL F.  Ordination Rites of the Ancient Churches of East and West.  New York:  Pueblo Publishing Company, 1990.

Bradshaw, Paul F., and Lawrence A. Hoffman, editors.  Life Cycles in Jewish and Christian Worship.  Notre Dame:  University of Notre Dame Press, 1996.  [Particularly helpful for essays concerning birth rituals and rites of adolescence.]

DRIVER, TOM F.  Liberating Rites:  Understanding the Transformative Power of Ritual.  Boulder, C.O.:  Westview Press, 1998.

DUDLEY, MARTIN, AND GEOGGREY ROWELL, EDITORS.  The Oil of Gladness:  Anointing in the Christian Tradition.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 1993.

EMPEREUR, JAMES L.  Prophetic Anointing:  God’s Call to the Sick, the Elderly, and the Dying.  Wilmington, D.E.:  Michael Glazier, 1982.

EVANS, ABIGAIL RIAN.  Healing Liturgies for the Seasons of Life.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2004.  [Evans explores a variety of personal and community crises, seeking to provide worship suggestions that will bring healing and hope.]

FOWLER, GENE.  Caring through the Funeral:  A Pastor’s Guide.  St. Louis:  Chalice Press, 2004.  [A comprehensive volume addressing aspects of loss, grieving, pastoral care, and the funeral service as a worship event (including practical guidance for service planning and sample services).]

GUSMER, CHARLES W.  And You Visited Me:  Sacramental Ministry to the Sick and Dying.  Revised edition.  New York:  Pueblo Publishing Company, 1989.

NEVILLE, GWEN KENNEDY, AND JOHN H. WESTERHOFF, III.  Learning Through Liturgy.  New York:  Seabury Press, 1978.

MARSCH, MICHAEL.  Healing through the Sacraments.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 1987.  [Written from a Roman Catholic perspective, this brief volume examines the potential healing that can occur through a range of sacramental celebrations in the church.]

MEYENDORFF, JOHN.  Marriage:  An Orthodox Perspective.  Crestwood, N.Y.:  St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1984.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, U.S.A.  Christian Marriage. The Worship of God. (Supplemental Liturgical Resource, No 3). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1986.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, U.S.A. The Funeral: A Service of Witness to the Resurrection. The Worship of God (Supplemental Liturgical Resource, No 4).  Philadelphia:  The Westminster Press, 1986.

RAMSHAW, ELAINE.  Ritual and Pastoral Care.  Minneapolis:  Fortress Press, 1987.

RUTHERFORD, RICHARD, AND TONY BARR.  The Death of a Christian:  The Order of Christian Funerals.  Revised edition.  Collegeville, M.N.:  Pueblo/The Liturgical Press, 1990.

SEARLE, MARK, AND KENNETH W. STEVENSON.  Documents of the Marriage Liturgy.  Collegeville, M.N.:  Pueblo/The Liturgical Press, 1992.

SPRINKLE, STEPHEN V.  Ordination:  Celebrating the Gift of Ministry.  St. Louis:  Chalice Press, 2004.  [Written as a practical theological guide for preparing candidates for ordination, especially in free church traditions.  Sample services are included, with advice for planning these celebrations.  Sprinkle seeks to renew church leadership with a sound biblical and theological foundation in this work.]

STEVENSON, KENNETH W.  To Join Together:  The Rite of Marriage.  New York:  Pueblo Publishing Company, 1987.

STEVENSON, KENNETH.  Nuptial Blessing:  A Study of Christian Marriage Rites.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 1983.

WESTERHOFF, III, JOHN H., AND WILLIAM H. WILLIMON.  Liturgy and Learning through the Life Cycle.  Revised edition.  Akron, O.H.:  OSL Publications, 1994. 

WILLIMON, WILLIAM H.  Remember Who You Are:  Baptism and the Christian Life.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1980.

WILLIMON, WILLIAM H.  Worship as Pastoral Care.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1979.

ZIMMERMAN, MARI WEST.  Take and Make Holy:  Honoring the Sacred in the Healing Journey of Abuse Survivors.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1995.

E.  The Christian Year

ADAM, ADOLF. The Liturgical Year: Its History and Its Meaning After the Reform of the Liturgy. Collegeville, M.N.: The Liturgical Press, 1992.

BASS, DOROTHY C.  Receiving the Day:  Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000.

BLACKBURN, BONNIE, AND LEOFRANC HOLFORD-STREVENS.  The Oxford Companion to the Year:  An Exploration of Calendar Customs and Time-Reckoning.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 1999.  [Customs associated with each day of the calendar year, seasons, weeks, festivals, and holidays of all sorts, are discussed in this encyclopedic work.  Development of calendars in general, as well as the influence of the Christian church in particular are represented.  This work is especially helpful for discerning how both sacred and secular holidays might be better understood in relation to our church celebrations today.]

BOLING, RUTH.  Come Worship With Me:  A Journey Through the Church Year.  Louisville:  Geneva Press, 2000.  [Intended for children, a useful exploration of the Christian year (through Reformed lenses) with beautiful illustrations.]

EVERY, GEORGE, RICHARD HARRIES, AND KALISTOS WARE.  The Time of the Spirit:  Readings Through the Christian Year.  Crestwood, N.Y.:  St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1984.

HALMO, JOAN.  Celebrating the Church Year with Young Children.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 1988.  [While assuming some prior familiarity with the Christian year, Halmo provides numerous ideas of activities for both home and church environments that would engage children in celebrating various seasons and festivals.]

HICKMAN, HOYT L., DON E. SALIERS, JAMES F. WHITE, AND LAURENCE HULL STOOKEY. The New Handbook of the Christian Year. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1992.  [Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, this resource offers theological insights into the various seasons of the Christian year and an abundance of sample liturgies that could be used in community celebrations.]

HYNES, MARY ELLEN.  Companion to the Calendar:  A Guide to the Saints and Mysteries of the Christian Calendar.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1993.

JOHNSON, MAXWELL E., EDITOR.  Between Memory and Hope:  Readings on the Liturgical Year.  Collegeville:  The Liturgical Press, 2000.  [An ecumenical collection of essays investigating recent scholarly insights into the historical and theological development of the Christian year.]

METFORD, J. C. J.  The Christian Year.  London: Thames and Hudson, 1991.

NARDONE, RICHARD. The Story of the Christian Year. New York: Paulist Press, 1992.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, U.S.A. Liturgical Year: The Worship of God (Supplemental Liturgical Resource, No 7). Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992.

PRYCE, MARK, ED.  Literary Companion to the Lectionary:  A Poetic Gathering to Accompany the Readings for Sundays, Principal Feasts, and Selected Holy Days.  Minneapolis:  Fortress Press, 2003.

STOOKEY, LAURENCE HULL. Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.

TALLEY, THOMAS J. The Origins of the Liturgical Year. Collegeville, M.N.: Liturgical Press, 1986.

VADELA, NATALIE.  Our Year with God:  A Child’s Introduction to Catholic Holy Days and the Liturgical Year.  Boston:  Pauline Books and Media, 2000.  [An introduction of the Christian year to children in light of the Roman Catholic calendar.]

WESTERHOFF, JOHN H. III. A Pilgrim People: Learning Through the Church Year. Minneapolis: Seabury Press, 1984.

WEBBER, ROBERT E.  Ancient-Future Time:  Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Books, 2004.  [In his third title in the “Ancient-Future” series, Webber discusses two major cycles of time based upon the Christian Year, “The Cycle of Light” (from Advent through the season after the Epiphany) and “The Cycle of Life” (from Lent through the season after Pentecost).  Scripture and the historical practices of the church are used as sources for seeking how our spiritual life today can be enriched through observing Christian seasons and festivals.  Webber’s approach will especially benefit those who are less familiar with the Christian Year and its significance for establishing greater depth in our faith.]

WILDE, JAMES A. (Editor), ADE BETHUNE (illustrator), MARY P. RYAN (designer). At That Time : Cycles and Seasons in the Life of a Christian. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1989.

V.  Worship Design Resources

A. Worship and Contemporary Culture

Authentic Worship In a Changing Culture. Grand Rapids: CRC Publications, 1997.  [Produced as a study document by the Worship Study Committee within the Christian Reformed Church, this booklet encourages the discussion of how we can maintain a focus on the Gospel while incorporating change in our worship expressions.  The question and answer section addresses practical, common issues that many of our congregations face today.]

BASDEN, PAUL. The Worship Maze: Finding a Style to Fit Your Church. Downers Grove, I.L.: Intervarsity Press, 1999.

BOSCH, DAVID JACOBUS. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission (American Society of Missiology Series, No. 16). Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1994.

BROWN PAUL B. In and For the World: Bringing the Contemporary into Christian Worship. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992.

BYARS, RONALD P.  The Future of Protestant Worship:  Beyond the Worship Wars.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2002.  [Byars identifies the negative witness and fallout of churches fighting over various aesthetic expressions of Christian worship.  He suggests moving away from the labels of “traditional” and “contemporary” in identifying worship styles.  He seeks a “convergence” type of worship event, allowing for multiple styles of expression, celebrating the “bath, book, and meal” (Baptism, the Word of God, and the Lord’s Supper) that is central to the core of the faith.]

CARSON, D. A., ET. AL., EDS.  Worship by the Book.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 2002.  [Voices from three Protestant traditions, the Free Church, the Reformed Church, and the Anglican Church, seek to voice a biblical theology for worship for their respective traditions in this book.  The goal of this work is to demonstrate how worship of integrity can be developed from differing theological understandings to enrich the corporate events of faithful communities.]

DAWN, MARVA.  How Shall We Then Worship?  Biblical Guidelines for the Worship Wars.  Tyndale House Publishers, 2003.

DAWN, MARVA J. Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the Turn-of-the-Century Culture. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.  [Dawn provides a scathing indictment of those who uncritically reshape Christian worship in the image of popular cultural expressions.  Her insights are on target, but her argumentation sometimes leaves little room for conversation.]

DAWN, MARVA J.  A Royal “Waste” of Time:  The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church for the World.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999.  [Less caustic than her earlier “Reaching Out” volume, Dawn provides criteria for evaluating worship expressions and emphasizes the need for communal process in determining what might be appropriate for community celebrations.]

DEARBORN, TIM A. AND SCOTT COIL, EDS.  Worship at the Next Level:  Insight from Contemporary Voices.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Books, 2004.  [A collection of reflections by scholars such as James F. White, Robert Webber, John Witvliet, Leonard Sweet, and Miroslav Volf, challenging us to pursue worship celebrations of theological depth and cultural diversity in a post-modern environment.  The essays have been previously published, primarily in the last seven years, but represent some outstanding thoughts on moving our worship beyond individualistic, pragmatic, generation-bound expressions.]

DORAN, CAROL and THOMAS H. TROEGER. Trouble At The Table: Gathering the Tribes For Worship. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1992.

FRANKFORTER, A. DANIEL.  Stones for Bread.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001.

LONG, THOMAS G.  Beyond the Worship Wars:  Building Vital and Faithful Worship.  The Alban Institute, 2001.  [Long provides a brief, practical volume on navigating contentious issues related to congregational worship, with an eye toward developing dynamic ministries focused on clarity of mission and maintaining healthy relationships in the midst of renewal.]

JOHNSON, TODD E., ED.  The Conviction of Things Not Seen:  Worship and Ministry in the 21^st Century.  Grand Rapids:  Brazos Press, 2002.  [A festschrift published in honor of Robert E. Webber, this collection of essays by worship scholars is an excellent resource for insight into such issues as the merging of tradition and innovation in worship, the classification of worship services, ritual, style, theological education, pastoral care, and inclusion of the visual arts in worship.]

PLANTINGA, JR., CORNELIUS, AND SUE A. ROZEBOOM.  Discerning the Spirits:  A Guide to Thinking about Christian Worship Today.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.  [Born out of a collaborative effort of scholars in multiple liturgical fields considering issues related to the pursuit of excellence in worship today, Plantinga and Rozeboom synthesize the fruit of many conversations over an extended period of time in their various chapters.  Broad themes including the contemporary church, globalization of worship, diversity in expressions, and theological depth, shape the contour of conversation in this book.  Sidebars are scattered throughout the volume, featuring thoughts from various team participants, including Marva Dawn, Justo Gonzalez, C. Michael Hawn, Lester Ruth and John Witvliet.]

ROMANOWSKI, WILLIAM D. Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1996.

SALIERS, DON.  Worship Come to its Senses.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1996.  [Saliers explores the renewal of worship by identifying four essential qualities which characterize authentic and relevant Christian worship—awe, delight, truthfulness and hope.  Saliers considers a range of worship expressions utilized today in light of these qualities, seeking to overcome some of the polarizing impulses which divide congregations.]

WEBBER, ROBERT E. Planning Blended Worship: The Creative Mixture of Old and New. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998.  [Based on a “four-fold” approach to Christian worship, Webber provides a practical guide for exploring and renewing the content, structure, and style of our services today.]

WENZ, ROBERT. Room for God? A Worship Challenge for a Church-Growth and Marketing Era. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1994.

WITVLIET, JOHN, AND EMILY BRINK, EDS.  The Worship Sourcebook.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2004.  [Emerging from the leadership of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, this volume is a vast, ecumenical array of resources (about 800 pages) for generating creative and powerful worship events.]

B.  Music and Worship

Abbington, James, ed.  Readings in African American Church Music and Worship.  Chicago:  GIA Publications, 2002.  [A collection of essays that help to understand the unique contributions and significance of African-American music in relation to worship.  Highly recommended.]

African American Church Music Series.  Chicago:  GIA Publications.  [A collection of four part arrangements of songs rooted in the African-American tradition.]

Bangert, Mark, et. al.  Leading the Church’s Song.  Minneapolis:  Augsburg/Fortress Publishing, 1998.  (Includes CD)  [A series of essays exploring the diversity of congregational song available to churches, with guidance for how better to appreciate the many offerings among us.]

BEGBIE, JEREMY S.  Theology, Music, and Time.  Cambridge:  Cambridge University Press, 2000.  [A dense, rich exploration of considering the question of how music can enrich and advance theology.  Begbie explores a wide range of musical phenomena (rhythm, meter, resolution repetition, improvisation) and through them opens up some of the central themes of the Christian faith (creation, salvation, eschatology, time and eternity, Eucharist, election, and ecclesiology).]

BEST, HAROLD M. Music Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1993.  [Best related musical practice to a larger theology of creation and creativity.  He explores concepts of musical quality and excellence, musical unity, and utilizing music from other cultures.]

BEST, HAROLD.  Unceasing Worship:  Biblical Perspectives on Worship and the Arts.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 2003.  [Best is thoughtful and balanced in his writing.  The first half of his book discusses worship in general; the second half yields wisdom related primarily to the relationship between worship and music.  Useful insights into the presence and appropriate use of the arts in worship abound in Best’s work.]

CLARK, LINDA J., JOANNE SWENSON AND MARK STAMM.  How We Seek God Together:  Exploring Worship Style.  The Alban Institute, 2001.  (Includes videotape)  [The final report of the Worship, Music, and Religious Identity Research Project, this study examines three Methodist congregations in Massachusetts in depth to discern how and why congregations make the choices they do in relation to worship music and song.  This study is designed to provide a model through which a congregation can gain insight into its own choices and navigate the muddy waters of varying pious practices and aesthetic preferences.]

COLLINS, DORI ERWIN, AND SCOTT C. WEIDLER.  Sound Decisions:  Evaluating Contemporary Music for Lutheran Worship.  Minneapolis:  Augsburg Fortress, 1997.

Edited.  African American Heritage Hymnal.  Chicago:  GIA Publications, 2001.  [Compiled for ecumenical interaction, a collection of nearly 600 compositions, with responsive readings and litanies.]

Edited.  Sound the Bamboo: CCA  Hymnal 2000.  Hong Kong:  Christian Conference of Asia, 2000.  [Featuring over 300 compositions from twenty-one countries.  Ethno-musicologist I-to Loh played a primary role in selecting and shaping these compositions for congregational settings.]

ESKEW, HARRY and HUGH T. McELRATH. Sing with Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Hymnology. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1980; reissued Genevox, 1995.

FOLEY, EDWARD.  Foundations of Christian Music:  The Music of Pre-Constantinian Christianity.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 1996.  [A brief, articulate discussion of the musical life of God’s people, from the Temple of Herod to the third century house church.]

FOLEY, EDWARD.  Ritual Music:  Studies in Liturgical Musicology.  Beltsville, M.D.:  The Pastoral Press, 1995.  [Foley begins with the Judeo-Christian roots of music for worship, discusses the auditory environment of the early church, considers the role of the cantor historically, examines Martin Luther as a pastoral musician, and explores documents and criteria for evaluating music in Roman Catholic worship today, in this helpful collection of essays.]

FOLEY, EDWARD, EDITOR.  Worship Music:  A Concise Dictionary.  Collegeville, M.N.:  Michael Glazier/The Liturgical Press, 2000.  [A helpful, focused, reference tool generated to address the religious and ritual aspects of music (not a general dictionary of musical terms).  Focuses on musical topics that are important to a variety of Judeo-Christian worship traditions.]

FRAME, JOHN M. Contemporary Worship Music: A Biblical Defense. Phillipsburg, N.J.:  Presbyterian and Reformed, 1997.

HAWN, C. MICHAEL.  Gather into One:  Praying and Singing Globally.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.  [An examination of five of the most influential global church musicians found in North American hymnals.  Hawn discusses the significance of global music expressions and demonstrates how these expressions can help empower and renew worship within our churches today.  This represents one of the best volumes exploring global music for worship today.]

HUSTAD, DONALD W. Jubilate II: Church Music in Worship and Renewal. Carol Stream, I.L.: Hope Publishing, 1993.

JOHANSSON, CALVIN. Music and Ministry A Biblical Counterpoint. Peabody, M.A.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998.

LEAVER, ROBIN A. AND JOYCE ANN ZIMMERMAN, EDITORS.  Liturgy and Music:  Lifetime Learning.  Collegeville:  The Liturgical Press, 1998.  [A host of essays are included in this work, exploring many dimensions of the relationship between music and worship.]

LIESCH, BARRY WAYNE. The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church. Revised edition.  Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001.  [An exploration of various worship styles and issues related to the incorporation of a variety of musical offerings in worship.  Sound, practical advice for developing a theology of music in worship, focused on the centrality of Christ.]

MARINI, STEPHEN.  Sacred Song in America:  Religion, Music, and Public Culture.  Illinois University Press, 2003.  [Marini explores a whole range of American sacred music, seeking to demonstrate how an understanding of the meanings and functions of this musical expression can contribute to a greater understanding of religious culture.  Marini’s study is more academic, but sheds light on issues related to music and worship.]

McLEAN, TERRI BOCKLUND.  New Harmonies:  Choosing Contemporary Music for Worship.  The Alban Institute, 1998.  (With CD.)  [Bocklund seeks to provide material that can be used to wisely select music appropriate for corporate worship.  Specific suggestions are made for developing criteria for evaluating music in light of the reader’s specific context.]

McGANN, MARY E.  Exploring Music as Worship and Theology:  Research in Liturgical Practice.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 2002.  [McGann uses music as a central lens through which to explore liturgical practice.  She offers a methodology for studying and interpreting the musical-liturgical experiences of the worshiping community in this brief work.]

McKay, V. Michael.  To Tell the Truth.  A Compilation of Inspirations about the Birth of Songs from the Heart, Soul, and Mind of a Storyteller.  Chicago:  GIA Publications, 2002.

MOUW, RICHARD J. AND MARK A. NOLL, EDS.  Wonderful Words of Life:  Hymns in American Protestant History and Theology.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004.  [Drawn from a conference sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Evangelicals, these eleven essays provide some marvelous windows into the historical context and theological significance of the development of American hymnody.]

MUSIC, DAVID W. AND MILBURN PRICE.  A Survey of Christian Hymnody.  Fourth edition, revised and enlarged.  Carol Stream, IL:  Hope Publishing Company, 1999.  [A brief survey of hymnody, including chapters addressing early church song, Lutheran chorales, psalmody, and British and American hymns.  Some good bibliographic references are included.]

National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, eds.  Lead Me, Guide Me:  The African American Catholic Hymnal.  Chicago:  GIA Publications, 1987.

RATTENBURY, J. ERNEST.  The Eucharistic Hymns of John and Charles Wesley.  Akron:  OSL Publications, 1999.

WESTERMEYER, PAUL.  Te Deum:  The Church and Music.  Minneapolis:  Fortress Press, 1998.  [A particularly fine examination of music in the life of the Church.  Westermeyer is thorough in his analysis and reflections.  Extensive bibliographic references and substantial footnotes are found in this excellent work.]

WREN, BRIAN.  Praying Twice:  The Music and Words of Congregational Song.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2000.  [Wren’s study is exceptional in its scope and depth.  He discusses various dimensions of congregational song, including its purpose, significance, theological content and power, evaluation, and the necessity for renewal.]

C. Incorporating the Arts in Worship

i.  Introductory Resources

BEGBIE, JEREMY S.  Beholding the Glory:  Incarnation through the Arts.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2000.  [A useful general introduction including chapters highlighting literature, poetry, dance, icons, sculpture, and music in relation to theology.]

BRAND, HILLARY, AND ADRIENNE CHAPLIN.  Art and Soul:  Signposts for Christians in the Arts.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 2002.  [Brand and Chaplin explore a host of issues and concerns that face a Christian who is interested in working within any of the creative arts. They address questions ranging from postmodern assumptions about art through the very practical issue of who might (or should) support the artist in his/her work.]

BROWN, FRANK BURCH.  Good Taste, Bad Taste, and Christian Taste.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 2000.  [A continuation of Brown’s earlier, “Religious Aesthetics” book, focusing on criteria for discerning “appropriate” creative expressions for varying Christian communities.]

BROWN, FRANK BURCH.  Religious Aesthetics: A Theological Study of Making and Meaning.  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 1989. [One of the best introductions to a philosophical and theological discussion of aesthetic issues in relation to the church and its art forms.  Brown is exceptional in his clarity and insight.]

EDITED.  Spirit of Fire:  Faith and Arts Resource.  Sojourners, 2003.  [Explores many basic issues related to the interaction between the arts and the Christian faith.  Topics include common values shared by artists and those of the Christian faith, mobilizing the arts for social change, the vocation of the artist in the life of the church, and models for bringing the arts into the church.]

GARCIA-RIVERA, ALEJANDRO R.  The Community of the Beautiful:  A Theological Aesthetics.  Collegeville:  Michael Glazier/Liturgical Press, 1999.  [Writing as a theologian grounded in the Latin American church, Garcia-Rivera provides us with a rich exploration of aesthetics and theology in light of an understanding of beauty that embraces fragmentation.]

GARCIA-RIVERA, ALEJANDRO R.  A Wounded Innocence:  Sketches for a Theology of Art.  Collegeville:  Michael Glazier/Liturgical Press, 2003.  [Writing from a Latino/Latina perspective, Garcia-Rivera seeks to explore the theological potential in art via a metaphor of brokenness or suffering.  He examines a series of visual artifacts, unpacking some of the theological meaning he finds embedded in the works.]

GOENS, LINDA M.  Praising God Through the Lively Arts.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1999.  [A practical resource filled with examples of drama in relation to scripture reading, choral scripture reading, liturgical dance, and clowning ministry.]

KLEIN, PATRICIA S.  Worship without Words:  The Signs and Symbols of our Faith.  Brewster, M.A.:  Paraclete Press, 2002.  [An excellent, brief guide that explains the signs, symbols, gestures, vestments, and architectural and sacramental elements that accompany worship, both corporate and private.]

ROTH, ANNE VAN DILLEN.  Art and Soul:  Exploring God’s Power through Scripture and Creative Arts.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 2002.

RYKEN, LELAND.  The Liberated Imagination:  Thinking Christianly About the Arts.  Colorado Springs:  Shaw/Waterbrook Press, 1989.  [Previously published as, Culture in Christian Perspective:  A Door of Understanding and Enjoying the Arts, Ryken identifies the tremendous potential that the arts have for Christians in recognizing and affirming the creation, our humanity, and the fullness of life that God would have us experience.]

STONE, KAREN.  Image and Spirit:  Finding Meaning in Visual Art.  Minneapolis:  Augsburg Books, 2003.  [A useful guide for beginning to learn how to receive and interpret visual expressions.  Many practical insights are offered here, that will both empower the viewer and convey the important role that visual expressions play in our culture and lives.]

THISTLEWAITE, DAVID.  The Art of God and the Religions of Art.  Carlisle:  Solway, 1998.  [Thistlewaite seeks to explore ways in which modern art can be found to convey truth concerning our Creator and the world in which we live.]

Turner, Steve.  Imagine:  A Vision for Christians in the Arts.  Downers Grove, I.L.:  Intervarsity Press, 2001.  [A call for artists of the Christian faith to engage in producing substantial, evocative, and powerful expressions in all areas of the arts, both in service to the church and for the sake of the world.]

VAN DER LEEUW, GERHARDUS. Sacred and Profane Beauty: The Holy in Art. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1963.

VILADESAU, RICHARD.  Theology and the Arts:  Encountering God Through Music, Art, and Rhetoric.  New York:  Paulist Press, 2000.  [Uses examples from music, visual art, and rhetoric, to explore different aspects of the ways that art enters into theology and theology into art, both in pastoral practice and in systematic reflection.  Considers art to be a genuine theological text.]

WOLTERSTORFF, NICHOLAS. Art in Action: Toward a Christian Aesthetic. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1980.

WUTHNOW, ROBERT.  All in Sync:  How Music and Art are Revitalizing American Religion.  Berkeley:  University of California Press, 2003.  [Wuthnow, a sociologist, makes use of recent survey data (including over 400 in-depth interviews) in this book to explore the relationship between the arts, spirituality, and American culture.  He notes how the arts inspire both connection with the transcendent and emphasize one’s personal experience in seeking spiritual growth.  The data included in this work can help those who lead worship to understand how the arts can be a powerful way of bringing renewal to the faith of many.]

ii. Visual Art and Worship

Adams, Doug.  Eyes to See Wholeness:  Visual Arts Informing Biblical and Theological Studies in Education and Worship Through the Church Year.  Prescott, AZ:  Educational Ministries, Inc., 1995. [Many practical exercises for groups.  Sensitive to the Christian year seasons.]

Adams, Doug and Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, editors.  Art as Religious Studies. The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1987.  [A good anthology with regard to visual art and Judaism and Christianity.  Helpful bibliographies.]

ADAMS, DOUG, AND MICHAEL E. MOYNAHAN, EDITORS.  Postmodern Worship and the Arts.  Sarasota, C.A.:  Resource Publications, 2002.

Apostolos-Cappadona, Diane, editor.  Art, Creativity, and the Sacred:  An Anthology in Religion and Art.  New York:  The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1984.  [A good anthology of essays relating art and spirituality.  Helpful bibliographies.]

Apostolos-Cappadona, Diane.  Dictionary of Christian Art.  New York:  Continuum Publishing, 1994.

Apostolos-Cappadona, Diane, editor.  Women, Creativity, and the Arts.  New York:  Continuum Publishing, 1995.

AUSTIN, MICHAEL.  Exploration in Art, Religion and Imagination.  London:  Equinox Publishing, 2005.  [Austin seeks to identify ways in which the arts can enhance theology and offer useful critique of inadequate theological understandings, ultimately, to enhance a more complete appreciation of our human existence.]

Begbie, Jeremy S.  Voicing Creation's Praise:  Toward a Theology of the Arts.  Edinburgh:  T & T Clark, 1991.  [Helpful for theological grounding of the visual arts in service to the church.]

Blain, Susan A., et.al., editors.  Imaging the Word:  An Arts and Lectionary Resource.  Three volumes.  Cleveland:  United Church Press, 1994, 1995, 1996.  [Large format books composed of fragments of biblical texts for each week (according to the Revised Common Lectionary), accompanied by pithy quotes and visual depictions which support themes in the text.  These volumes are coordinated with curriculum for all ages for churches that would like to orient biblical lessons around the same themes in Sunday school and worship.]

Bustard, Ned, editor.  It Was Good:  Making Art to the Glory of God.  Baltimore:  Square Halo Books, 2000.  [A collection of essays by practicing Christian artists exploring various issues related to the production of artistic expressions from the perspective of a believer.  Issues addressed include form and content, glory, subject and theme, identity, creativity, truth, imagination, and symbolism.]

Caemmerer, Richard R.  Visual Art in the Life of the Church:  Encouraging Creative Worship and Witness in the Congregation.  Minneapolis:  Augsburg Fortress, 1983.

Dillenberger, John.  A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities:  The Visual Arts and the Church.  New York:  The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1986.  [Good for theological grounding.]

Drury, John.  Painting the Word:  Christian Pictures and Their Meanings.  New Haven:  Yale University Press, 1999.

Dyrness, William A.  Visual Faith:  Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2001.  [A good introduction to the interaction between visual art, theology, and popular culture.  Worship is only treated in a minor way in this work.]

Ferguson, George.  Signs and Symbols in Christian Art.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 1961.  [A useful volume providing brief explanations of the theological significance of signs and symbols present in Christian art through the ages.]

Finney, Paul Corby.  The Invisible God:  The Earliest Christians on Art.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 1994.

Finney, Paul Corby, ed.  Seeing Beyond the Word:  Visual Arts and the Calvinist Tradition.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1999.  [A series of European and American essays considering the interaction between Calvinism and the arts over the last 400 years.]

Gerding, Jeri.  Drawing to God:  Art as Prayer, Prayer as Art.  Notre Dame, IN:  Sorin Books, 2001.  [An engaging volume of art exercises designed to encourage the reader to explore their relationship with God through visual expressions.]

HOURIHANE, COLUM, ED.  Objects, Images, and the Word:  Art in the Service of the Liturgy.  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 2004.  [A collection of essays exploring the complex relationship that evolved between worship and the visual arts in the medieval church.  This book represents the sixth occasional paper in the Index of Christian Art published by Princeton.]

IRVINE, CHRISTOPHER, AND ANNE DAWTRY.  Art and Worship.  Collegeville, M.N.:  Pueblo/The Liturgical Press, 2002.

JENSON, ROBIN M.  The Substance of Things Seen:  Art, Faith, and the Christian Community.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2004.  [Jenson seeks to illustrate the function of the arts in the lives and practices of Christians.  Written for laity, church leaders, and artists, Jenson desires to promote the renewal of Christian education and worship through the arts.]

Morgan, David.  Visual Piety:  A History and Theory of Popular Religious Images.  Berkeley:  University of California Press, 1998.  [A strong argument for taking popular (‘low art’ vs. ‘high art’) religious images seriously given their impact on mass culture.]

Morgan, David, and Sally M. Promey, editors.  The Visual Culture of American Religions.  Berkeley:  University of California Press, 2001.

Murray, Peter and Linda.  The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 1998.

NICHOLS, AIDAN. The Art of God Incarnate: Theology and Image in Christian Tradition. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1980.

O’Grady, Ron, ed.  Christ for All People:  Celebrating A World of Christian Art.  Maryknoll, N.Y:  Orbis Books, 2001.  [A volume which briefly touches on historical and contemporary depictions of Christian art, especially from a multi-cultural perspective.]

RAGUIN, VIRGINIA C.  Glory in Glass:  Stained Glass in the United States.  Origins, Variety, and Preservation.  New York:  American Bible Society, 2003.

RAGUIN, VIRGINIA C.  Stained Glass:  From Its Origin to the Present.  New York:  Harry N. Abrams, 2003.

Rouet, Albert.  Liturgy and the Arts.  Collegeville:  The Liturgical Press, 1997.  [Concentrates on the purpose of worship and why the arts are an irreplaceable component of good liturgy.]

STEFFLER, ALVA WILLIAM.  Symbols of the Christian Faith.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2002.

Takenaka, Masao.  Christian Art in Asia.  Tokyo:  Kyo Bun Kwan, 1975.  [The first of two books compiled by Takenaka, featuring Christian visual depictions from Asian sources.  Gathered through his work with Christian Conference of Asia.  Excellent color plates.]

Takenaka, Masao, and Ron O’Grady.  The Bible Through Asian Eyes.  Auckland:  Pace Publishing, 1991.  [Second of two books portraying Asian Christian art, focusing on the Old and New Testaments as the primary sources for inspiration.]

THISSEN, GESA ELSBETH, EDITOR.  Theological Aesthetics:  A Reader.  Grand Rapids:  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005.  [More than 125 primary sources, from the first century to the twentieth, are collected here, providing a substantial exposure of how Christian leaders have pondered the relationship between theology and the arts.]

Walton, Janet R.  Art and Worship:  A Vital Connection.  Wilmington, D.E.:  Michael Glazier, 1988.  [A useful discussion emphasizing how the church and artist need to remain in open dialog with one another to maximize the worship experience for the community.]

iii. Drama and Worship

Cloninger, Curt.  Drama for Worship:  Contemporary Sketches for Opening Hearts to God.  Two volumes.  Cincinnati:  Standard Publishing, 1998, 1999.

Deitering, Carolyn.  Actions, Gestures, and Body Attitudes.  Saratoga, CA:  Resource Publications, 1980.

Farley, todd.  The Silent Prophet.  Pasadena:  Mimeistry Inc., 2002.

Major, Richard.  Developing a Dynamic Drama Ministry.  Cincinnati:  Standard Publishing, 1999.

Miller, Paul M.  Create a Drama Ministry.  Kansas City, M.O:  Lillenas, 1984.

Mullholland, James.  The Drama of Worship.  Kansas City, M.O:  Lillenas, 1989.

Pederson, Steve.  Drama Ministry:  Practical Help for Making Drama a Vital Part of Your Church.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing Company, 1999.

SIEWERT, ALISON, ED.  Drama Team Handbook.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 2003.

SIEWERT, ALISON.  Drama Team Sketchbook:  Twelve Sketches that Bring the Gospel to Life.  Downers Grove:  Intervarsity Press, 2004.

Smith, Judy Gattis.  Drama Through the Church Year.  Colorado Springs:  Meriwether, 1984.

Tanner, Charles M.  Acting on Faith:  Worship Plays from the Covenant Players.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 1994.

Waddy, Lawrence.  Drama in Worship.  New York:  Paulist Press, 1978.

The Way of the Cross:  Leader’s Book.  Chicago:  The Liturgy Training Publications, 2002.  [Contains dialog for participants to observe/pray the Stations of the Cross using three sets of stations:  the fourteen traditional stations of the Church; the fourteen biblical stations identified by Pope John Paul II in 1991; and stations oriented toward encounters with New Testament women.]

iv.  Movement in Worship

Adams, Doug, and Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, editors.  Dance as Religious Studies.  New York:  Crossroad Publishing, 1990.

Adams, Doug.  Congregational Dancing in Christian Worship.  Austin:  The Sharing Company, 1984.

Davies, John Gordon.  Liturgical Dance:  An Historical, Theological and Practical Handbook.  London:  SCM Press, 1984.

De Sola, Carla.  The Spirit Moves:  Handbook of Dance and Prayer.  Richmond, C.A.:  The Sharing Company, 1977.

Gagne, Ronald, Thomas Kane and Robert Ver Eecke.  Introducing Dance in Christian Worship.  Revised edition.  Portland:  Pastoral Press, 1999.

RANDell, janet.  In Him We Move:  Volume one, Creative Dancing in Worship.  Carlisle:  Solway, 1999.  [Includes many practical exercises and examples of choreographed offerings.  Reflections address the embodying of biblical imagery, the “grammar” of dance, stagecraft, and improvisation.]

RANDell, janet.  In Him We Move:  Volume two, Manual of Creative Dances for Worship.  Carlisle:  Solway, 1999.  [An extensive collection of choreographed dances that could be reproduced in congregational worship settings.]

Rock, Judith, and Norman Mealy.  Performer as Priest and Prophet:  Restoring the Intuitive in Worship Through Music and Dance.  San Francisco:  Harper and Row, 1988.

Rock, Judith, and Norman Mealy.  Theology in the Shape of Dance:  Using Dance in Worship and Theological Process.  Austin:  The Sharing Company, 1977.

Taylor, Margaret Fisk.  A Time to Dance:  Symbolic Movement in Worship.  Philadelphia:  United Church Press, 1967.

Troxell, Kay, editor.  Resources in Sacred Dance:  Annotated Bibliography.  Peterborough, N.H.:  The Sacred Dance Guild, 1987.

v.  Film and Faith

BARSOTTI, CATHERINE m. AND rOBERT K. jOHNSTON.  Finding God in the Movies:  Thirty-three Films of Reel Faith.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Books, 2004.  [Using a topical approach, Barsotti and Johnston provide a model for considering films as a resource for engaging the Christian faith and its teachings.]

Benne, Robert.  Seeing is Believing:  Visions of Life through Film.  Lanham:  University Press of America, 1998.

Johnston, Robert K.  Reel Spirituality:  Theology and Film in Dialogue.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Academic, 2000.

Marsh, Clive, editor.  Explorations in Theology and Film:  Movies and Meaning.  Malden:  Blackwell Publishers, 1997.

May, John R., editor.  Image and Likeness:  Religious Visions in American Film Classics.  New York:  Paulist Press, 1992.

May, John R., editor.  New Image of Religious Film.  Communication, Culture and Theology Series.  Franklin:  Sheed and Ward, 1997.

Miles, Margaret R.  Seeing and Believing:  Religion and Values in the Movies.  Boston: Beacon Press, 1997.

Stone, Bryan P.  Theological Themes at the Cinema.  St. Louis:  Chalice Press, 2000.

vi.  The Built Environment and Worship

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO OFFICE FOR DIVINE WORSHIP COMMISSION ON CHURCH ART AND ARCHITECTURE.  Guidelines for the Building and Renovation of Churches.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 2004.  [Developed to be used in conjunction with the North American bishop’s document, Built of Living Stones.]

Barron, Robert.  Heaven in Stone and Glass.  Crossroad Publishing, 2000. [A helpful analysis of symbolism connected to Gothic cathedrals.]

Bowman, Ray, and Eddy Hall.  When Not to Build:  An Architect’s Unconventional Wisdom for the Growing Church.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 2000.

Chinn, Nancy.  Spaces for Spirit:  Adorning the Church.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1998.  [A practical guide for pursuing the incorporation of the visual arts in worship spaces.  Sections address visual issues of design, forming an arts committee, and practical steps for implementing some kinds of environmental installations.  Excellent photographs.]

Cunningham, Colin.  Stones of Witness:  Church Architecture and Function.  Sutton Publishing, 1999. [Examining church architecture from the perspective of worship function.]

DESANCTIS, MICHEAL E.  Building from Belief:  Advance, Retreat, and Compromise in the Remaking of Catholic Church Architecture.  Collegeville:  The Liturgical Press, 2002.  [An argument for reconsidering a limited “modern” approach to church design, seeking to find a role for complexity and sacrality in our churches today.]

Giles, Richard.  Re-Pitching the Tent:  Reordering the Church Building for Worship and Mission.  Revised, expanded edition.  Collegeville, M.N.:  The Liturgical Press, 2000.  [A particularly “user-friendly” guide to helping congregations consider the significance of their church spaces, with a process to follow and practical steps to take in implementing the renovation or building of new facilities for ministry.]

GORRINGE, T.J.  A Theology of the Built Environment:  Justice, Empowerment, and Redemption.  Cambridge:  Cambridge University Press, 2002.  [Gorringe explores the Christian faith in an urban setting, examining the use of space, design, architecture and town planning, from a theological perspective.]

Hall, Sarah.  The Color of Light:  Commissioning Stained Glass for a Church.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1999.  [A beautifully illustrated, practical guide to understanding and pursuing stained glass in churches today.]

heathcote, edwin, and iona spens.  Church Builders.  London:  Academy Editions, 1997.  [An exceptional volume that places church architecture of the twentieth century in context in the first part of the book, examining both theological and architectural influences.  Europe and North American are the primarily geographical areas examined, although a small section on South America exists.  The second part of the book features select architects and a sampling of their churches.  Excellent color and black-and-white photographs and drawings are ample.]

HOWE, JEFFREY.  Houses of Worship:  An Identification Guide to the History and Styles of American Religious Architecture.  San Diego:  Thunder Bay Press, 2003.  [An engaging exploration of American church architecture.  Useful insights concerning styles and movements throughout the text, many line drawings, and nearly all of the hundreds of photographs are in color.]

Huffman, Walter C., and S. Anita Stauffer.  Where We Worship.  Minneapolis:  Augsburg Publishing House, 1987.  [Practical and well-organized.  Available in both a study book and leader’s guide edition.]

KILDE, JEANNE HALGREN.  When Church Became Theatre:  The Transformation of Evangelical Architecture and Worship in Nineteenth-Century America.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 2002.  [A well written exploration and analysis of evangelical, revival impulses in American Protestantism and its implications for their houses for worship.  Essential reading for understanding the impulses and priorities of “mega-churches” and their building choices today.]

LOVELAND, ANNE C. AND OTIS B. WHEELER.  From Meetinghouse to Megachurch:  A Material and Cultural History.  Columbia:  University of Missouri Press, 2003.  [An exploration of the evolution of church designs in relation to evangelistic impulses.  Sixty-three evangelical megachurches today are examined in depth, yielding insights into their worship and ministries.]

Mauck, Marchita.  Places for Worship:  A Guide to Building and Renovating. (American Essays in Liturgy)  Collegeville:  The Liturgical Press, 1995.  [A brief, practical guide to considering changes to our worship spaces.  Addresses the formation of a planning committee, selection of professionals, and outlines the process usually pursued in achieving a new building or renovation project.]

Mauck, Marchita.  Shaping a House for the Church.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1990.

Mazar, Peter.  To Crown the Year:  Decorating the Church Through the Seasons.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1995. [An idea book for visually enhancing the worship environment in light of the church year.]

McCormick, Gwenn E.  Planning and Building Church Facilities.  Baptist Sunday School Board, 1993.

Philippart, David, ed.  Basket, Basin, Plate, and Cup:  Vessels in the Liturgy.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 2001.  [An excellent series of essays discussing the use, creation, and care of all manner of vessels for worship.  The creative works of several artists are featured in this volume.]

Philippart, David, ed.  Clothed in Glory:  Vesting the Church.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1997.  [A wonderful collection of essays exploring the vesting of clergy, liturgical objects, and the environment for worship.  Marvelous color photographs throughout the book.]

Schloeder, Steven J.  Architecture in Communion:  Implementing the Second Vatican Council through Liturgy and Architecture.  Ignatius Press, 1998.  [Schloeder discusses important theological and historical insights relevant to the design and furnishing of the worship space.  The significance of the church as a “house of the people of God” and “house of God” is present.  While written especially for Roman Catholic communities, much important insight is relevant to all Christian communities.]

STOCK, WOLFGANG JEAN.  European Church Architecture, 1950-2000.  Munich:  Prestel, 2002.  [An examination of expressions of church architecture in Western Europe, divided into Catholic and Protestant explorations.  Useful essays identify architects, architectural styles and theological impulses that have impacted the development of church design.  Many photographs and drawings accompany the essays.]

Takenaka, Masao.  The Place Where God Dwells:  An Introduction to Church Architecture in Asia.  Hong Kong:  Christian Conference of Asia/Auckland:  Pace Publishing, 1995.  [A glimpse into church buildings from eleven Asian countries.  An introductory essay helps the reader to appreciate the theological understandings that lie behind the various churches that are featured in the book.]

VISsER, MARGARET.  The Geometry of Love:  Space, Time, Mystery, and Meaning in an Ordinary Church.  New York:  North Point Press, 2000.

Vosko, Richard S.  Designing Future Worship Spaces:  The Mystery of a Common Vision.  Meeting House Essay Series, Number Eight.  Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1996.

WHITE, JAMES F.  Protestant Worship and Church Architecture:  Theological and Historical Considerations.  Eugene:  Wipf and Stock, 2003.  [A reprint of an original 1964 edition, White’s work is the only comprehensive treatment which examines worship in relationship to the design of worship spaces throughout Protestant history.  This work is important for understanding how our worship spaces today have developed and how they continue to influence our worship activities.]

White, James F., and Susan J. White.  Church Architecture:  Building and Renovating for Christian Worship. Akron:  OSL Publications, 1998.  [A practical guide which raises many issues involved in pursuing the design of spaces for worship.]

Willi