Rhythms of Worship

“For the twenty-first century church in transition, this book provides an insightful reflection of worship as the very heart of the Christian community. This is a valuable resource for lay persons, students, and clergy who desire to deepen their engagement with God through worship. Guided by their knowledge and experience in ministry, the authors inspire a renewed focus on the rhythms of liturgical practice.”
—Julie Walkup Bird, Pastor, McGregor Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

“Rhythms of Worship accomplishes what it sets out to do: help congregations ‘develop a shared understanding’ of worship. This book provides leaders and participants with a framework for helpful discussions about matters important to worship. In short, concise chapters, they highlight significant movements of the Sunday assembly while providing readers with questions for further discussion.”
—Lindsay Paul Jordan, Senior Pastor, Christ the King Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Delafield, Wisconsin

“Stevens and Michael Waschevski have given the church a concise and accessible guide to worship. Drawing on their considerable wisdom and experience, this able team suggests best practices for planning and leading participatory, missional worship. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter are sure to evoke thoughtful conversations and spark creative engagement in liturgy and the arts. Additional chapters articulate the theological underpinnings of the church year as well as practical ideas for lively and meaningful celebrations. This will be an indispensable tool for worship committees and others who care about vital and faithful worship.”
—Kimberly Bracken Long, Associate Professor of Worship, Columbia Theological Seminary, and editor of Feasting on the Word Worship Companion series

“The beauty of this book is that the authors live worship each week and represent the collaboration of a pastor and church musician. Their appreciation for and devotion to the gathered body of Christ is apparent throughout this concise, but comprehensive primer on Christian worship. This book should be very helpful to worship committees, choirs, and any who want to understand the basic underpinnings for meaningful corporate worship.”
—C. Michael Hawn, Director of the Sacred Music Program, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and author of New Songs of Celebration Render: Congregational Singing in the Twenty-First Century