Bruce G. Epperly and Daryl Hollinger, From a Mustard Seed: Enlivening Worship in the Small Church. Alban Institute, 2010.
Referenced in: Small Church Leadership
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Epperly is a practical theologian and Hollinger is a musician. Together, they provide a very thoughtful perspective on worship. They address small churches, and their suggestions assume congregations from a fairly traditional mainline Protestant orientation, but several of the chapters are helpful for churches of different stripes.
For example, the chapter on “Singing an Eclectic Repertoire” gives great suggestions on creating a blended style. I especially liked his descriptions of the various genre: chant, Renaissance/Baroque dance, European classical, Western European folk, Hebrew, African, Latino, Asian, Native American, early American, African American spiritual, gospel, and contemporary. And I love this perspective:
A congregation that uses diverse styles of singing has great potential to connect its own worship and music with the worship of Christians throughout the world. Using an eclectic repertoire may help the church find its mission expanding beyond measure. Pray that singing the songs from other times and places will open hearts to see new insights into God’s vast realm.
There are several other helpful pieces on theology of worship, relationships between preacher and worship leader, etc.
From the Publisher
Small congregations can have beautiful worship! In From a Mustard Seed, an experienced pastor-professor and an experienced church musician provide a model for faithful and excellent worship in congregations that average 75 or fewer people in weekly worship. While the limitations of small congregations are obvious to their members and leaders, the possibilities for creative music and worship are often greater than we can imagine.
Epperly and Hollinger integrate theology, spiritual formation, and practical guidance for nurturing diverse, inspirational, and transforming worship in small congregations. Grounded in a solid theology of worship, they provide tried-and-true approaches to congregational music and singing, worship planning, liturgies that transform, and healthy partnerships between pastors and church musicians.
God is present in small congregations, and the authors help pastors, church musicians, and active laypersons awaken to God’s activity in every aspect of worship and music. They illuminate possibilities for opening to God in worship and music through their own stories, the stories of congregations and their pastors, practical counsel, spiritual practices, and theological reflection.
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Bruce G. Epperly is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Continuing Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He also serves as co-pastor of Disciples United Community Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and is the author (with Katherine Gould Epperly) of Tending to the Holy: The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry, selected as the 2009 Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy.
Dr. Daryl Hollinger is Dean of the Chapel, Seminary Musician, and Adjunct Professor of Worship and Music at Lancaster Theological Seminary and serves as Minister of Music at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. His most recent set of compositions, From Every Corner: Diverse Organ Preludes, is published by Augsburg Fortress Press.
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