The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice
"[A] timely and much appreciated attempt to recall for privileged North American Christians the intimate connection between worship and issues of justice." (The Presbyterian Outlook, October 6, 2008)"Labberton's book is bracing reading that deserves thoughtful meditation and discussion among pastors, lay leaders, and those who occupy the pews--especially in places where those pews have become all too comfortable." (The Clergy Journal, November/December 2007)"The Dangerous Act of Worshipis extraordinary because it is so concretely helpful. It offers American church leaders a way out from the disappointments of dead-end worship, and does so with tangible stories and examples that are inspiring, convicting, clear and practical. Every so often, a book comes along that, for the brave of heart, actually has the potential to transform a leader's whole mindset about what they are doing and leading. This is such a book." (Gary A. Haugen, President, International Justice Mission, and author of Good News About Injustice)"Dangerous indeed! Not only is true worship dangerous, as Mark Labberton suggests, but this book is dangerous. It shakes us from our lethargy. It calls us to a radical reconsideration of our life of discipleship. It pushes us across our global and theological boundaries. This is one of the most challenging books I have read in years." (Stephen A. Hayner, Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, Columbia Theological Seminary)"Mark Labberton writes with the voice of a prophet and the heart of a pastor. His call for justice forges links between corporate worship on Sunday and personal worship in all of life. His call to genuine gospel rest in the context of a book arising from a holy restlessness sets this book apart from many books on justice. The result is a book that calls us to obedient service not on the basis of fear or guilt, but rather deep gratitude for God's abundant grace." (John D. Witvliet, Director, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship)"Whydochurches fight over the small stuff and miss the big issues of justice and mercy? In this book not only does Mark Labberton help us to ask that question, but also he poses it more thoroughly and challenges us to find the resources to do something about the problem. This book is essential for awakening churches from their 'yet more excellent sleep' to their role in living the gospel that they proclaim and thereby in changing the state of the world." (Marva Dawn, author of Unfettered Hope: A Call to Faithful Living in an Affluent Culture, and teaching fellow in spiritual theology, Regent College, Vancouver)"A ringing, prophetic call for biblical worship that revolutionizes how we live in the world." (Ronald J. Sider, author of Fixing The Moral Deficit)"We need this book! Mark Labberton offers profound insights and guidance to all of us who care deeply--or at least who ought to care deeply--about promoting justice in a suffering world. He is right: integrating worship and justice is a dangerous thing. But given the character of the God whom we worship it is also the only safe course of action." (Richard J. Mouw, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary)"For those of us who are unsettled by popular worship, narrowly defined, Mark Labberton calls us to wake up and see that worship can never be understood narrowly. It must be part of the fabric of our faith, woven into larger issues like justice and the poor. Though he does not give in to the temptation of entering into the debate over secondary issues of style and personal preference, Mark's words provide the biblical background that will place them finally into proper focus." (Michael Card, musician, songwriter and author of Scribbling in the Sand)"InThe Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice,Mark Labberton gives a compelling argument on the connection between worshiper and justice. Mark packs in lots of living examples of worshipers who are doing justice in the world. The church in North America desperately needs to catch Mark's (and God's) passion for giving away the mercy that we have so richly received to the marginalized people of our world, both near and far." (Andy Park, worship leader, songwriter and author of To Know You More)"This is not just another book on worship. Or justice. It's an urgent call to wake up to the discovery that everything is lost unless we pull worship and justice together." (M. Craig Barnes, Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Pittsburgh Seminary, author of Yearning and When God Interrupts)"An important book. Mark Labberton offers a scalding reminder that worship is not about our well-being but the world's. I can't imagine any worship leader, or any worshiper, seeing worship in the same way after reading this book." (Tim Stafford, senior writer, Christianity Today, author, Surprised by Jesus)"Mark Labberton makes me uncomfortable in the best possible way: uncomfortable with my small life, my small dreams and my small God. And yet in the midst of that holy discomfort he awakens hope that it is possible to wake up to the real life, and the real worship, that we were created for." (Andy Crouch, contributing editor, Christianity Today, and editorial director, The Christian Vision Project)"Few topics arouse such emotion and passion in the church as the place of justice and worship. Mark dares to bring them together, and does it masterfully. Neither a critic of the church--standing aloof and pointing a finger--nor a comforter--standing alongside and holding in an embrace--rather Mark is a prophetic pastor. He compassionately discloses the will and the way of God and invites us to walk together in the way of God's kingdom. This book is discomforting. And well it should be. Mark restores our vision of God's ancient call to the church to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. The book opens the windows so God's Spirit can blow fresh joy and power into our lives. Rather than worship being a weekly separation from the world, Mark leads us into worship as a daily, transforming engagement with it." (Tim Dearborn, Associate Director, Christian Commitments/Faith and Development, World Vision International)"May the Lord useThe Dangerous Act of Worshipto help call a Western, often self-indulgent church beyond its commitments to just the 'arts' (contemporary, emergent, etc.) and awaken it to its true calling--being a prophetic voice and compassionate model of life transformed by and lived 'into' the gospel of a resurrected Lord." (Dr. Pete Sanchez Jr., director of worship studies, Integrity Worship Institute, and assistant professor of church music and worship renewal, University of Mobile)"This prophetic, passionate and thoroughly biblical exploration of the connection between genuine worship and God's call to justice breaks new ground in a much-needed wake-up call for the American church. With insightful critique and practical examples, it encourages Christians to move beyond the often stale and sterile debates of the worship wars to the rediscovery of world- and life-changing God-centered worship. I highly recommend it." (The Rev. Dr. Roberta Hestenes, Teaching Pastor, Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, California, and former Minister-at-Large for World Vision)--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.