An Evangelical Concern

Evangelicals are awakening to the need for worship renewal. True worship renewal does not come about through superficial measures, but through recognizing that worship studies are an essential discipline of Christian theology. Renewal grows out of attention to the biblical and historical sources of Christian worship and the provision of the Holy Spirit. Trend watchers are telling us that worship is the emerging important issue in evangelical churches. Rumblings of discontent are already being heard in the church. Some are talking about boredom with sameness, others are concerned over the lack of relevance, and many feel the need to become worshipers but cannot find the words or concepts to articulate their need, or signposts to direct this search. Unfortunately many evangelical seminaries are not prepared to offer our churches adequate leadership in worship. I speak from experience. I graduated from three theological seminaries without taking a course in worship. Even though I was …