Transformative Worship: Changing Lives Through Religious Experience

When people felt obligated to attend worship as in 1955 it didnt matter whether or not their religious needs were being met. But since our culture has shifted to giving people a choice they are seeking something meaningful during worship; something which helps them to change their lives. In the church we talk a lot about changing peoples lives but we do not articulate what it is that the church has to offer to those seeking to do so. The author explores what happens during worship to provide a transformative experience and identifies which forms of worship are most conducive to this process. The focus here is on small groups bible study and forms of interaction between and among leaders and worshippers. For pastors and leaders discerning what forms of worship to experiment with in order to connect with seekers in their community and bring visitors back a second Sunday this book offers easy to implement practical ideas for church growth. Laurene Beth Bowers is the Conference Associate Minister for Congregational Life and Vitality for the Penn Central Conference United Church of Christ. Having led four congregations in numerical growth as a senior pastor she now coaches pastors and consults with congregations to develop strategies for reaching out to their community. She is the author of several books on church growth and a frequent keynote speaker at conferences.