The Mission of Worship (Urbana Onward)
"Sandra's booklet weaves together the themes most dear to my heart into a beautiful tapestry that brings glory to God. She clearly shows how aspects of God's mission--reconciliation, justice, welcoming the stranger, setting free the oppressed and other elements of God's kingdom--tie in tightly with multicultural worship. This booklet will inspire you, challenge you, cause you to fall on your face before God, cause you to get your hands dirty, cause you to raise your hands and worship with all of God's children around the world. If you want his kingdom to come, and his will to be done on earth as in heaven . . . then read this booklet and live it." (Paul Neeley, professor, Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies)"Thank you, Sandra, for this powerful introduction to mission and worship. This book will broaden and deepen our worship in its forms and cultures and aspirations. It is a mighty tool that God can use to take us all--as worshipers and worship leaders alike--where we need to go. These are the God-ordained places of inclusion and hospitality, justice and reconciliation in our worship, of the 'two feet' of worship and mission that God desires for us all. Please read this book carefully and prayerfully. You will be moved, just as I have been." (Steve Roy, assistant professor of pastoral theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)"The Mission of Worshippowerfully connects a theology of worship to vital aspects of mission, challenging us to engage more deeply with issues like reconciliation, justice, suffering and the discipline of lament. Emerging from the gritty realities of Sandra Van Opstal's multiethnic urban ministry, this book explores how we can more deeply know God through the worship styles of other cultures. As an ethnodoxologist, I found myself exclaiming 'Yes!' and grabbing my highlighter. It energized and inspired me for my own work at the intersection of mission and worship." (Robin Harris, Ph.D., president of the International Council of Ethnodoxologists (ICE) and coordinator of the M.A. in World Arts at GIAL in Dallas)"Sandra Van Opstal has wisdom beyond her years as a leader in multicultural ministry contexts. I'm so glad she has put down on paper what I've been so grateful to hear in person. Read this book and let it stretch your worship leading so you can take people not only where they want to go, but where they need to go--where worship and mission intersect." (Matt Lundgren, worship director, Willow Creek Community Church)"In an engaging introduction to worship, Sandra Van Opstal outlines a contextual and robust theology of worship that suggests worship is more than merely singing songs--it must become a lifestyle celebration. Squarely anchored in Scripture and grounded in the character of God who compels worship, Sandra takes her reader on an inspiring yet practical journey of love--one that leads us to God's heart, one that breaks in a world of injustice but finds a healing balm through the worship of the larger Christian community." (Christopher L. Heuertz, senior strategist, Word Made Flesh, author of Unexpected Gifts and Simple Spirituality)