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Discerning the Spirits: A Guide to Thinking about Christian Worship Today (Eerdmans, 2003)

Description
Christian worship in North America has undergone great change in recent years. But change always brings uncertainty—at times even division—about what constitutes "authentic worship." This important book reviews a wide variety of current perspectives and offers a fresh outlook on the contemporary practice of Christian worship.

In order to provide the widest, most insightful discussion on present-day worship practices yet assembled, the authors gathered a team of church musicians, ministers, worship leaders, and educators from eight church traditions. Discerning the Spirits is the fruit of their work. Shaped by the wisdom of men and women like Marva Dawn, Justo González, C. Michael Hawn, and John Witvliet, this book broadens today's "worship wars" into a bigger, richer discussion that moves from arguments over musical tastes to good thinking about the overall purpose of worship in relation to church life and God himself. Sidebar articles and quotes are meant to draw readers and study groups into dialogue on these issues.

Whether one plays a leadership role in church worship or is simply grappling with questions about it, Discerning the Spirits is a must-read.

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Leader's Guide & Study Guide for Discerning the Spirits
These guides are provided by Carol Van Klompenburg, a freelance writer from Iowa. Based on a discussion group she led, Carol provides a study guide of reading notes, discussion questions, and options for further exploration to guide small groups through Discerning the Spirits: A Guide to Thinking about Christian Worship Today over 11 sessions.

Authors
Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. is president and professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Sue A. Rozeboom is a doctoral student in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Endorsements
"The most pressing questions facing churches today have nothing to do with sex. Rather, they concern the proper functions and appropriate forms of Christian worship. This book surveys in an open and impartial way the incredible variety of worship options that have developed in recent years. Beyond simply describing, however, it helps readers make discerning choices in planning and leading worship through approaching worship as “narrative engagement with the triune God.” Thus theory becomes a highly practical tool for worship leadership."
—James F. White, professor of liturgy emeritus, University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University

"There are so many new books on worship being published that one needs to choose wisely. The scope, balance, and practicality of Discerning the Spirits put it at the top of my list."
—Robert Webber, Myers Professor of Ministry, Northern Baptist Seminary

"Discerning the Spirits is an important and much-needed book. As the so-called “worship wars” come to an end, the church in North America finds itself stuck with a loaded and confusing term—“contemporary worship.” The contributors to this volume look carefully at the issues surrounding contemporary worship practices and offer solid theological insight as to what the church in North America is up to in its assemblies. They hold for continued debate over worship forms and styles even as they teach us to argue in love, always discerning, never judging. And they suggest that the church might simply be enriched in its local gatherings if we learn to value the gifts of diversity and use them wisely."
—Clayton J. Schmit, academic program director, Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts, Fuller Theological Seminary

CICW Liturgical Studies Series with Eerdmans
This series is designed to promote reflection on the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship and to stimulate worship renewal in Christian congregations. Written by pastoral worship leaders from diverse communities and scholars from a range of disciplines, these volumes seek to nurture worship practices that are at once spiritually vital and theologically rooted. To find all the books in this series, go to Publications and under "Publisher," select "Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing."

Table of Contents and Excerpt from Eerdmans