This
series is Worship Leader Magazine's 2012 Editor's Pick.
For followers of Jesus Christ, worship has spanned
over two thousand years to include a long and diverse
history of sacred practices. The many ways in which
the faithful have preserved and celebrated God’s
story is limited only by the human imagination.
A History of Christian Worship: Ancient Ways, Future
Paths is a six-part series that explores centuries
of worship practices, as seen through the eyes of Protestant,
Catholic and Orthodox churches and discussed by leading
voices from a cross-section of the Christian community.
From scripture, sermons and creeds to baptism and the
Eucharist, from art and music to drama and media, from
prayer and contemplation to service and ministry, viewers
will discover the significant people and events that
have shaped history and learn how modern worship practices
are rooted in the earliest foundations of the Christian
faith.
Part 1: The Word explores how the written and spoken
word consisting of scriptures, sermons and creeds have
remembered and celebrated God’s story throughout
centuries of Christianity, including:
•
What early church documents reveal about ancient worship
practices and why many churches are recovering and
continuing these ancient faith practices today.
•
How stained glass has been used to tell the stories
of scripture, including a visit to the oldest continually
operating stained glass studio in America.
•
Why influences such as the printing press and the translation
of the Bible into the language of the people dramatically
changed how scripture is used in worship.
•
How great preaching movements of the church have influenced
the development of sermons and homilies.
•
Why creeds such as the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds
are an important tool for teaching the essentials of
the Christian faith.
Part 2: The Body explores how individuals are joined
with the body of Christ through baptism and how the
idea of community is essential to the worship experience,
including:
•
What early church documents and practices teach us
about how baptism is celebrated today.
•
What symbols are common to all Christians in the celebration
of baptism.
•
Why there are different forms of baptism among various
Christian traditions.
•
How the Scriptures and church history support the community
of believers as an important part of worship.
•
How one unique community of believers celebrates worship
through its western-themed cowboy church.
Part 3: The Feast explores the significance of the
Eucharist in worship and reveals how the observance
of special days and seasons of remembrance and anticipation
such as Advent and Lent is essential to the worship
experience, including:
•
What early church documents and practices teach us
about how the Eucharist is celebrated today.
•
Why the feast of the table is called by different names: Eucharist,
Communion, the Lord's Supper.
•
What the different methods of celebrating the Eucharist
are among various Christian traditions.
•
How Old Testament feast days and festivals have formed
a pattern for the current Christian calendar of holy
days and seasons.
•
Why the liturgical year is still relevant for Christians
today.
Part 4:The Music explores how liturgy and music have
enriched the celebration of God’s story throughout
centuries of Christianity, including:
•
Why time, place, structure and symbols are significant
components of worship
•
What elements of liturgy lead us to experience the
glories of Heaven while on Earth
•
How church music has evolved, from plainsong and chant
to hymns and modern praise songs
•
What the history of liturgy and music teach us about
the debate over worship style
•
How Jason Houser, a singer/songwriter and country music
producer, helps families learn Scripture through music
Part 5: The Expression explores how visual art, drama
and media have been used in various times and places
in Christian worship for the creative expression
of the faith, including:
•
How paintings, sculptures, stained glass and icons
visually convey God's story.
•
Why worship space and architecture influence and enhance
the worship experience.
•
What types of media have been used at various times
in Christian worship.
•
How the the digital age and the advent of advanced
technology have impacted worship.
Part 6: The Embrace explores the inward worship practices
of prayer and contemplation and the outward acts of
worship found in service and ministry, including:
•
How beloved prayers such as the Lord's Prayer have
become an essential part of our ongoing dialogue with
God.
•
Why public and private prayer is essential to Christian
worship.
•
How the Church throughout the centuries has carried
its message to the world through missions and caring
for the poor, imprisoned, sick, and dying.
•
How a ministry called Broken Chains reaches out to
the biker subculture with the Gospel message.
Includes optional English subtitles and film trailers.
Global
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