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Lay Worship Leaders
professionals; or is there input and participation by lay people as well? Today's WORSHIP QUOTE deals with lay leadership in corporate worship. LAY WORSHIP LEADERS The growth of lay worship leaders has arguably been one of the most sweeping liturgical changes of the past century. This can be very good-a way for congregations to take ownership of worship, a way to express the "priesthood of all believers." This works best when lay leaders are committed students of Scripture, when they are the kind of people who are eager to attend a worship conference, or read a new book on worship. It doesn't work so well when leaders lack a taste for such things. In fact, many worship leaders can't name a single book on the theology of worship. Most denominations (admirably) require preachers to pursue rigorous seminary studies before preaching. Yet we require of worship leaders only that they be willing to attend a single rehearsal or committee meeting. We would do well to lovingly challenge our worship leaders to grow in the knowledge and love of God. - John Witvliet, "Discerning the Spirits: Making Wise Choices in an Era of Liturgical Change," Reformation & Revival: A Quarterly Journal for Church Leaders, Volume 9, No. 2, Spring 2000, p. 18. For subscription information, contact (888) 276-1044, or go to www.randr.org. Volume 9, Nos. 2 & 3 are dedicated entirely to "Restoring True Worship" (highly recommended). John Witvliet is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan), where he teaches courses on worship, systematic theology, and music. For information on conferences, worship renewal grants, and a host of worship-related resources, visit www.calvin.edu/worship. January 12-13, 2001 is the Institute's annual Symposium on Worship and the Arts (highly recommended). Read a book. Attend a conference. Take a course. Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |