Transforming Worship – Planning and Leading Sunday Services as If Spiritual Formation Mattered

Rory Noland is the director of Heart of the Artist Ministries. He holds a doctorate in worship studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute. Rory has served at Willow Creek Community Church and Harvest Bible Chapel. A published songwriter, he has authored five books, including The Heart of the Artist. Ruth Haley Barton is founding president of the Transforming Center, a spiritual formation ministry to pastors and Christian leaders. A trained spiritual director, teacher, and retreat leader, she is the author of Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, and Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.

Foreword by Ruth Haley Barton

Introduction: What Is Transforming Worship?



Part 1: Biblical, Historical, and Theological Foundations of Transforming Worship


1. It All Started at Sinai

2. Updating the Ancient Formula for Sunday Services

3. How to Edify Believers and Evangelize Unbelievers

4. Reclaiming Sunday Morning as the Church's Primary, Formative Event

5. Recovering a Sense of the Sacred in Modern Worship



Part 2: Distinctive Elements of Transforming Worship


6. Let Us Pray!

7. Engaging the Preached and Unpreached Word of God

8. Corporate Confession: The Gift of an Unfettered Conscience

9. Lord's Supper as Spiritual Nourishment

10. Living in Your Baptism



Epilogue: We Get To Do This!

Appendix 1: Responsive Scripture Reading

Appendix 2: Reader's Theater Scripture Reading

Appendix 3: Corporate Prayer of Confession

Appendix 4: Checklist for Transforming Worship

Notes