Lutheran Missionary Erlo Stegen on Revival among the Zulus

This is an excellent. It is however, in Zulu, but has English subscripts. Take note of how the people came. It gives an idea of what it must have been like when Jesus preached in Galilee.

Even if you can't watch the whole thing, the first half is very profound.

The mission is in the hills of KwaZulu Natal. I have visited there a number of times during the 1980's. It was then just as presented in this clip. An awesome presence of God.

Their worship was predominently the choir which was also very inspirational. No offering, very few announcements, very basic service and sometimes there were arranged testimonies shared.

Book review video

Andrew (and those interested in pursuing this interesting issue:

I book that I came across on Google Books:

"The hidden power of electronic culture: how media shapes faith, the Gospel ..."
By Shane Hipps
Good things to say.

The Herero People of Namibia

The Herero people of Namibia - once called South West Africa.

Note their bright striking dress code. The Herero women's dress is derived from the Victorian era. German missionaries encouraged the women to wear clothes according to the fashion in Europe at the time.

The traditional religion is a form of ancestor worship, but many Herero mix it with forms of Christianity. There are many opportunities to witness for Jesus Christ in Namibia, but the Herero must be challenged about their superstitions and fears.

The majority of the Herero call themselves Christians. But the Herero church, the Oruuano, combines Christian dogma with ancestor worship and magical practices. For example, the Herero have a holy, ritual fire that symbolizes life, prosperity, and fertility to them. They believe in a Supreme Being, called "Omukuru", or the Great One. This is similar to the Zulu people who call God "Umkulukulu" which means the Great-Great One.

Creative Workshop

I have just returned from the inaugral conference of the "Australasian Centre for Wesleyan Research" held at Booth College in Sydney. NTC has initiated this and we have brought in Kingsley Australia and hopefully (once appropriate channels have been gone through) Booth College (Salvation Army) both in Sydney and Melbourne.

One thing that was discussed was the need for our creative musicians/songwriters/poets etc. to write some songs/music for worship. The following workshop is being organised to that end by the salavation Army. If you are interested, you may be able to "gatecrash" it. let me know and I may be able to make appropriate introductions.

Check out the details:
http://salvos.org.au/get-involved/events/brengle-create.php

It would be nice if Hillsong is not the only label in the contemporary worship market that those of a Wesleyan persuasion listen to.

Hi co-students,

My area of issue is Liturgical worship.

Understanding the flow of good worship is foundational. Having in mind a sense of where worship begins, what touchstones to pass, and what destination to pursue serves to guide right thinking and planning of service. What I am having in mind is i have chosen a regular sunday worship service liturgy. I am mainly into order of service that is that we know what will happen first, next, till we reach where we are supposed to go. It is important we know where we start and we are going to end, so what ever goes on in between is a journery related to our destination. For example, a prelude- what is prelude, and how is that important to our worship theologically, or hymns, sciptures, creeds etc. Please any comments on this to help me if i am on the right track

thanks

dorothy

Acceptance of invitation

Dear Bruce and 'Worship' students,

This is merely a confirmation that I have activated my account and joined the blog.

Truly Christ's servant ,

Julie

What God Desires from us in Worship - A Biblical Perspective

My research for my paper is hopefully going to be along these lines:

What is it that God desires from us in Worship – A Biblical Perspective

One explanation of worship is “an act performed individually or corporately within informal groups or a formal meeting, or representatively by a designated leader.” Expressions of worship may vary between faiths and within faiths. In most cases, worship will includes one or more of the following; prayer, sacrifice, rituals, meditations, holidays, festivals, sacraments, pilgrimages, music, singing, dancing, dining, fasting, public readings, and/or listening to a public talks or sermons. Worship can also include the physical as in the construction of temples, shrines, architecture, idols, paintings, furnishings, candles and images.

Whilst all these things describe religious worship, I would like to be more specific in examining the true meaning of "God centred worship." My thesis statement being ... What God desires from us in Worship – A Biblical Perspective.

I would like to strip away everything and do a progressive study by starting with Worship in the Pentateuch. From there, I would like to look at what the meaning of worship was to God’s people in the Old Testament and then though the Gospels and the New Testament.

I am hoping to clarify in my research what it is that God desires from us in true worship. How this impacts on us both individually and corporately, and what we can do improve our true worship of God.

My research is not to contradict our understanding of a worship service with all its elements, but rather to identify the place within this setting for “pure God centred worship”. I believe that the other elements of teaching, fellowship and witness should remain an important part of todays "worship services".

Trevor

Hillsong - your thoughts?

As I continue to reflect on the visual statement we make in our churches I thought I'd post a quick shot of Hillsong Church in Sydney.

I don't think that you can deny the impact that Hillsong Church has on the wider Christian community. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are a mighty force in the way Gen X and Y express their faith. Your thoughts?