Liturgical Hermeneutics

Exploring Contemporary and Alternative Worship

Convener: Nelson Cowan (ncowan@bu.edu) serves as lead pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, FL, while also teaching as contingent faculty for Drew University, Emory University, and Wesley Theological Seminary.

Members in Attendance: Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dawn Chesser (online), Nelson Cowan, Suzanne Duchesne (online), Billy Kangas, Swee Hong Lim (online), Jim Marriott (online), Ed Phillips, Lester Ruth, Casey Sigmon, Noel Snyder, Nicholas Zork.

Visitors in Attendance: Saya Ojiri (online), Jonathan Ottaway (online), Adam Perez, Diana Sanchez-Bushong, Glenn Stallsmith, Teresa Stewart, Debbie Wong.

Description of Work: The Exploring Contemporary and Alternative Worship Seminar had robust lineup of papers and book presentations on topics related to Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Charismatic movements (histories, theologies, analyses of practice), as well as alternative forms of worship emerging within Mainline denominations. We had two sessions of exemplary note. The first was a 2-hour introduction to Lester Ruth and Swee Hong Lim’s groundbreaking and field-defining book release, A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship. The second was an open seminar session co-led by Taylor Burton-Edwards and Ed Phillips on the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments.

Papers and Presentations:

• Adam Perez, “‘Contemporary/Modern (Christian) Praise/Worship (Music)’:

A Review of Terms Towards Defining a Field.” • James Marriott, “From Welcome Guest to Full Participant: The influence of migrant worship practices in the Lutheran-Church Missouri Synod.” • Lester Ruth and Swee Hong Lim, “A Tale of Two Rivers: Introducing A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship.” • Taylor Burton-Edwards and Ed Phillips, “Adapting Worship for the Public

Good: A Model from the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship,

Fellowship, and Sacraments.” • Debbie Wong, “Transcending Tradition: A Reappraisal of Methods for

Studying Charismatic Worship.” • Jonathan Ottaway, “The Synthetic Theological Method in Pentecostal Theologies of Praise and Worship.”

• Noel Snyder, “Steven Furtick as Songwriter and Preacher.” • Abigail Peper, “Setting the Homiletical Tables: A Sacred Feast With a Side of

Conversational Preaching and Communal Authority.” • Glenn Stallsmith, “Praying in Christ: The Role of Liturgical Prayer in an

Evangelical Megachurch.” • Nelson Cowan, Facilitated Conversation: “ECAW & Public Scholarship.”

Other Work and Plans for the Future: For Toronto in 2023, we are issuing a general call for papers and presentations that pertain to the work of our seminar. Topics for consideration may be submitted directly to the convener for review. Potential site visit: The site of the Toronto Blessing Revival. Potential joint session: Liturgical Theology, discussing Melanie Ross’ latest book release. We will elect or re-elect a convener for another three-year term.