Re-Forming the Liturgy: Past Present and Future

Christian worship is always undergoing change as it adapts to particular contexts and concerns. This collection of essays explores ways: 1) that liturgical change happened to address particular historical and theological concerns; 2) that worship and preaching are currently undergoing transition; and 3) that aspects of worship are in need of transformation in order to address primary issues of our time with a focus on environmental and ecological concerns. Spcial attention is paid to the role of the Sacraments and to preaching with an emphasis on the need to connect worship with daily life. These essays show readers ways that liturgical renewal worked in the past as well as offer a persuasive case for continual renewal that responds to key issues in our contemporary lives. Paul Galbreaths Re-forming the Liturgy is a rare and valuable resource for both pastors and professors: a theologically astute book in the Reformed tradition that is alive to the dynamic promise of past practices attentive to biblical and sacramental cornerstones and alert to how todays worship can engage our compelling ecological crisis. --Douglas F. Ottati Craig Family Distinguished Professor of Reformed Theology and Justice Davidson College Biblical scholar liturgical theologian and prophetic preacher Paul Galbreath offers a rich feast of essays in this volume. With equal parts erudition and passion he calls us to attend in our worship to the biblical witness the movement of the Spirit and the groans of creation longing for redemption. Above all he focuses always on how real-life communities might embody authentic Christian faith more fully not just in church buildings but beyond the walls in the care for the earth as a place of Gods presence. --Martha Moore-Keish J. B. Green Professor of Theology Columbia Theological Seminary By reclaiming and recasting historical understandings of Word and sacrament Paul Galbreath offers us an insightful inspiring roadmap for navigating the challenges facing the contemporary church. He enables us to see our worship and lives of faith in a way that both honors tradition and points toward the future. --Beverly A. Zink-Sawyer Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship Union Presbyterian Seminary Paul Galbreath is Professor of Theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte NC. He is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). His previous books include Leading from the Table (2008); Leading through the Water (2011); and Leading into the World (2014).