The Worship Architect – A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services

Constance M. Cherry (DMin, Northern Seminary) is professor emeritus of worship and pastoral ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, where she taught from 2004-2020, and is a founding faculty member of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies where she has taught in the Doctor of Worship Studies program since 2000. She has been active in church ministry roles for decades and is the author of The Music Architect and The Special Service Worship Architect.

Contents

Introduction: Why a Book about Worship Design?
PHASE ONE: Laying the Foundations for Worship
1. Establishing the Foundation: Biblical Worship
2. Setting the Cornerstone: Worship Is Centered in Jesus Christ
PHASE TWO: Raising the Structure for Worship
3. Four Rooms for Encountering God: The Gospel Order of Worship
4. The First Room: The Gathering
5. The Second Room: The Word
6. The Third Room: The Table of the Lord
7. The Third Room: The Alternative Response to the Word
8 The Fourth Room: The Sending
PHASE THREE: Installing Windows for Encountering God
9. Encountering God in Prayer: Capturing the Heart of Worship
10. Encountering God in Music: Singing the Church's Song
11. Encountering God in Music: Offering "Sound" Musical
Leadership
12. Encountering God in the Christian Year: Remembering the Whole Narrative
PHASE FOUR: Welcoming Worshipers for Authentic Engagement
13. Engaging Style: Expressing Worship in an Authentic Voice
14. Global Worship: Open the Doors and See All the People
15. The Hospitable Worship Leader: Engaging Worshipers as Participants
Appendix A: A Definition of Christian Worship
Appendix B: Ten Basic Steps in Designing Vital Worship
Appendix C: Checklist for Designing Vital Worship
Appendix D: Seven Tips for Engaging with Livestreamed Worship
Index