The Mission of Worship

In this Urbana Onward minibook, Sandra Van Opstal argues that culturally diverse worship practices create a space for us to encounter the mission of God. Such a missional approach to worship, she promises, will renew the church's vision and witness, proclaiming that the kingdom of God is here, accomplishing reconciliation, justice and shalom.

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Worship gives us a glimpse of the majesty and grandeur of God. But that's not all. It also paints a picture of God's purposes for the world. He is in the process of gathering together a multitude of worshipers from every language and nation.
Urbana worship director Sandra Van Opstal shows that worship both takes people where they want to go and challenges them to go where they need to go. Worship creates a space for us to encounter the mission of God. Having culturally diverse worship gives us a more holistic portrait of God's attributes and character. In missional worship, we proclaim and demonstrate that the kingdom of God is here, accomplishing reconciliation, justice and shalom. Such worship is good news for the world and offers God's transcendence and healing to all who yearn for his transformation.
Worship can mobilize us for God's mission in the world. As we worship, we can invite the world around us to enter into the praise of the one true God.