“A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship” Book Launch

Join us for the launch of “A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship: Understanding the Ideas That Reshaped the Protestant Church” (2021 Baker Academic) by Lester Ruth (research professor of Christian worship, Duke University) and Lim Swee Hong (Deer Park Associate Professor of Sacred Music, Emmanuel College).

New forms of worship have transformed the face of the American church over the past fifty years. Drawing on a wide range of primary sources, including interviews with dozens of important stakeholders and key players, this volume by two worship experts offers the first comprehensive history of Contemporary Praise & Worship. The authors provide insight into where this phenomenon began and how it reshaped the Protestant church. They also emphasize the span of denominational, regional, and ethnic expressions of contemporary worship, taking into account the liturgical dynamics involved it its emergence and the dynamics that led to its growth. The authors show that Contemporary Praise & Worship came about through theological reflection on the Bible, not merely as the result of cultural impulses. Events in Canada are critical to the history, especially in the origins.

This book will be of interest to professors and students of worship, worship pastors, leaders of contemporary worship services, liturgical scholars, and church and cultural historians. (from the publisher’s website)