Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Alban Books
Pages: 210
Trim: 6 x 9
978-1-56699-406-4 • Paperback • July 2010 • $31.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-56699-528-3 • eBook • July 2010 • $29.50 • (£25.00)
Rev. Dr. Bruce G. Epperly is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Continuing Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He also serves as co-pastor of Disciples United Community Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and is the author (with Katherine Gould Epperly) of Tending to the Holy: The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry, selected as the 2009 Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy. Dr. Daryl Hollinger is Dean of the Chapel, Seminary Musician, and Adjunct Professor of Worship and Music at Lancaster Theological Seminary and serves as Minister of Music at St. Peter's United Church of Christ. His most recent set of compositions, From Every Corner: Diverse Organ Preludes, is published by Augsburg Fortress Press.
Only a pastor and musician immersed in congregational worship life could possibly have written such and excellent and honest guide for deepening worship and looking realistically at the future. Epperly and Hollinger’s work, grounded in hope and compassion for small churches, is rich with ideas to inspire and guide those who plan and lead worship. The reader’s response is sure to be, 'I can do this too!'
— Arthur Clyde, Editor, The New Century Hymnal
If there are two people who know how to engage small churches in enlivening their worship, these are the two. I've seen the results—churches who thought they were limited to one elderly piano player are suddenly drumming, using other rhythm instruments, acting, moving, and singing world hymns and songs. This book will allow everyone to access the learnings that Darryl and Bruce gained from a concentrated experience with dozens of small churches, many of them rural. Their research and practice is backed with solid theology.
— Marja Coons-Torn, Conference Minister, Penn Central UCC
WARNING! The passionate ideas shared in this book will lead to changes in the life of your congregation! It may lead to spontaneity, joy, curiosity, and contagious inclusiveness of all people in worship! I offer this warning as a pastor of a small church that has experienced firsthand (in workshops with the authors) many of the ideas here-in & used them with success!
— Jen Walters, Pastor, Benjamin's-Krider's United Church of Christ, Westminster, MD