Traditional or contemporary? Transcending the "worship wars," Whaley focuses on the core: the biblical nature of worship. Excellent for perplexed church leaders and laypeople.

In studying the history of the vernacular in worship beginning with the Christian Scriptures, Dynamic Equivalence uncovers the power of a living language to transform communities of faith. How we pray when we come together for common worship has always been significant, but the issue of liturgical language received unprecedented attention in the twentieth century when Latin Rite Roman Catholic worship was opened to the vernacular at Vatican II. Worshiping in one's native tongue continues to be of issue as the churches debate over what type of vernacular should be employed. Dynamic Equivalence traces the history of liturgical language in the Western Christian tradition as a dynamic and living reality. Particular attention is paid to the twentieth century Vernacular Society within the United States and how the vernacular issue was treated at Vatican II, especially within an ecumenical context. The first chapter offers a short history of the vernacular from the first century through the twentieth. The second and third chapters contain a significant amount of archival material, much of which has never been published before. These chapters tell the story of a mixed group of Catholic laity and clergy dedicated to promoting the vernacular during the first half of the twentieth century. Chapter Four begins with a survey of vernacular promotion in the Reformation itself, explores the issue of vernacular worship as an instrument of ecumenical hospitality and concludes with some examples of ecumenical liturgical cooperation in the years immediately preceding the Council. The final chapter treats the vernacular debate at the Council with attention to the Vernacular Society's role in helping with theimplementation of the vernacular. Chapters are "A Brief History of the Vernacular," "The Origins of the Vernacular Society: 1946-1956," "Pressure for the Vernacular Mounts: 1956-1962," "Vernacular Worship and Ecumenical Exchange," "Vatican II and the Vindication of the Vernacular: 1962-1965" Keith F. Pecklers, SJ, SLD, is professor of liturgy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and professor of liturgical history at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant 'Anselmo. He is the author of The Unread Vision: The Liturgical Movement in the United States of America 1926-1955, and co-editor of Liturgy for the New Millennium: A Commentary on the Revised Sacramentary, published by The Liturgical Press.

In this vital guide for pastors and lay leaders, Kennon Callahan outlines the major components of effective and meaningful worship. He also suggests strategic, systematic steps for implementing improvements that transform church services into experiences of dynamic worship. By advancing and improving the worship service, the gifts of worship can transform our lives.

Pedrito Maynard-Reid explores the multiethnic dimensions of worship by looking at African American, Caribbean and Hispanic contexts of worship.

James P. Gills, MD, gives biblical wisdom about the worship of God in a context that touches and changes the reader's heart. Study questions for groups or individuals are provided after each chapter.

It is time to revisit the central New Testament claim that in Jesus Christ a new quality of human relationship is possible. Bruce Milne builds on this claim to contend that all Christian congregations are called to be centers of reconciliation, where the principal differences separating human beings are overcome through the presence of God's Holy Spirit.

Dynamic Worship by Design walks an Architect, Pastor or Building professional thru the design process for modern Audio, Video, Lighting and Acoustic technologies to be designed into worship facilities today.