How We Seek God Together: Exploring Worship Style

Every congregation has a certain "tone" or "feel" - members do things a particular way. Developed by three researchers, each of whom spent a year worshiping and "living" with one of three Methodist congregations that has a distinct, well-done worship style, this unique resource offers congregations a way to explore why they do things the way they do. In one research phase, each congregation was videotaped at worship; members later viewed an intercut version showing the three congregations doing similar things in different styles, giving a chance to reflect more objectively on their own worship style and its meaning for them.

Now congregations can study their own worship styles and discover how their worship practices reflect who they are as faith communities, using a 13-minute intercut version of the videotape and the researchers' detailed descriptions of the three congregations. These, along with provocative discussion questions, provide the tools needed to help congregations reflect on their own worship practices and inner life.