Workshops Sessions A and B

Friday 11 September, Session A 1130 - 1230, repeated Session B 1330 - 1430

A1/B1
Worship, Sentimentality and the Arts

JEREMY BEGBIE

Jeremy will show how sentimentality has become a pervasive feature of our culture, and has affected a fair amount of Christian worship and Christian music.  He will aim to show how Christians can recognise it and begin to counter it.

A2/B2
Worship and the Trinity
ROBIN PARRY
Robin will address issues such as Why does the Trinity matter? How Trinitarian is our worship? How can we make our worship richly Trinitarian?

A3/B3
The Lost Tradition of Lament
JOHN BELL

In a time when war and suffering are so much a part of our concern, John Bell will encourage us as we learn how to share our concern with one another before God, and how lament can become part of our corporate worship.

A4/B4
Emerging Worship
JONNY BAKER

This workshop will share examples from the creative edges of the emerging church of how communities are re-imagining worship in ways that engage with mission in a changing culture. There will also be an exploration of the instincts that inform this approach.

A5/B5
Thematic Worship: A Rich Feast for the People of God
RON MAN

Rather than limiting our services to a monochromatic uniformity of style or form in an attempt to achieve focus and unity, how much richer and spiritually nourishing it can be to allow a biblical or theological theme to serve as a focus point and unifying principle. This approach allows for the use of a wide variety of forms and styles, gives people time to concentrate on and respond to a focused aspect of God and his truth, and serves an important catechetical function over the long run.

A6/B6
Using Symbols and Gestures in Worship
JOHN LEACH

It seems to be the case that people encounter God more often and more powerfully through what they do in worship than through what they say, hear or sing. How can we build in the use of our physical bodies? As well as giving lots of tried and tested examples, we will be working through a checklist for thinking about building action into services.

A7/B7
New Songs Workshop
SAM & SARA HARGREAVES, MATT OSGOOD , JOEL PAYNE

For music leaders wanting new repertoire, and for all those who love singing wishing to learn fresh, accessible new songs for worship. A workshop with the leaders of RESOUNDworship.org.  All the songs on this pioneering website are born in local churches, honed through peer critique, and then made available for free as mp3s and lead sheets online.  This workshop will get you singing, engaging material on a variety of themes, as well as revealing some of the creative process behind the writing and honing.

A8/B8
Using Classical Music in Worship
CHRISTOPHER REDGATE

In this session  Chris will aim to address some seminal questions surrounding the use of classical music in worship. Such questions include: Is there a place for classical music in contemporary church worship? If classical music is used then what are the issues and challenges it brings to the worship environment? In what ways can classical music enhance our worship and help us to grow in our relationship with God?  He will be focusing more upon theoretical and theological rather than practical issues.

A9/B9
Where is the Worship Song Going?
GRAHAM KENDRICK
STUART TOWNEND

The worship song has grown from obscure grassroots beginnings and grapevine distribution, to mainstream worship culture and an industry. Where has it come from, where might it be going, and why should it matter?  This workshop will examine the content and style of the modern worship song in the context of the Bible, church history, and the current culture. It will explore themes and musical genres in the light of the challenges facing the church in the future.

A10/B10
Worship Service: Worship Without Words
ANDREW MARIES

Forget the talking – let’s worship!  ‘Worship without words’ is a worship experience with space for reflection using recorded music and symbolic action to draw near to God, experience sacred space and pray.