Michael J. Quicke - Preaching as Worship: An Integrative Approach to Formation in Your Church

2011 by Michael J. Quicke

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

E-book edition created 2011

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ISBN 978-1-4412-3427-8

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To

the latest generation of Quickes,

Luca, Anton, Elliot, and Sophie,

praying that they may grow up into

big-picture worship of God.

Contents

Figures

Acknowledgments

I f someone had told me eight years ago that I would write a book on worship, I would have laughed at the idea. My reply would have been that my focus as a teacher and author is on preaching, and I have had my work cut out for me just to write a couple of worthwhile books on that topic. But in recent years, I have been propelled into a fresh understanding of how worship includes everything . Whenever definitions of worship limit and shrink it down to small-scale stuff, great damage is done to Gods cosmic purposes. We need to see not only how preaching belongs within worship but also how the whole of church life and mission is part of worship too. My convictions about worship have grown in dimension so much that they have radically deepened my life and ministry and reordered its goal. Thats why I hope you will take the time to read this book.

Many people have helped me on my worship journey, some of whom have played a large role. In the first chapter, I describe Bob Webbers impact on me as well as my work with Karen Roberts. Early on, Dr. Jim Stamoolis read some of my writing, and later six readers formed a formidable team who read my final drafts and privileged me with insights. I offer profound thanks to these six friends: Stu Heiss, skilled musician and former student; Dr. Barry Morrison, pastor and former professor; Dr. Karen Roberts, my colleague at Northern Seminary; Dr. David Schlafer, gifted author and homiletician; Dawneen and Bill Suriano, both remarkably thoughtful worshipers in the pew. Worshipers all, these six brought eagle eyes, lively minds, and warm hearts to the task. Together they greatly improved this book, even rewriting some sections. I remain responsible for its many imperfections, but there would have been even more without their intervention.

I owe a great debt to Northern Seminary for granting time and opportunity to study and write over the last three years, which included freedom to lead several workshops and conferences that opened my eyes to so many worship issues. In particular, the 2009 Ockenga Lectureship Series at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary enabled me to focus on closing the gap between preaching and worship. Friends in different churches, especially Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois (a Chicago suburb), have also interacted with me, often through postings on my blog. Some elements were developed in other publications, especially Preaching magazine, which published a three-part series on Preaching and Trinitarian Theology (JanuaryJune 2008) and an interview with me that sparked considerable debate (JulyAugust 2009).

I will always be thankful for the many conversations and insights that have contributed to my learning. On the publication trail, I am immensely grateful for the professional skills and patience shown by Robert Hosack and Kristin Kornoelje, as well as other people at Baker Books. Talking of patience, I especially thank my wife, Carol, who has tolerated the shut study door for almost more hours than she could bear. Most importantly, because I believe that worship participates in fellowship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I am profoundly humbled by Gods help in writing this book. Like my six readers, he is not to be blamed for its faults. But if theres something here that lights us up about worship, it is because he put it there.

An Ocean and a Bucket

Give me new Christians before they have heard too many sermons and been to too many worship services.

I spent several summers at the International Baptist Seminary when it was based at Ruschlikon, Switzerland. The seminary overlooked Lake Zurich, which stretched into the distance and was surrounded by low mountains on both sides. To my surprise, a postcard on sale in the seminary office showed the same lake view but with a vast, snow-covered mountain range in the distance. This seemed rather fanciful. On earlier visits I had never glimpsed these mountains, and no one had even mentioned them. I know postcards are sometimes doctored for effect, and without much further thought, I concluded this represented an imaginary scenario. So I put the mountains out of my mind.

On one unforgettable early morning, however, I glanced across the lake and there to my utter astonishment, snow-covered and dazzling in sunshine, was an alpine range filling the horizon. Soon the sight was lost as clouds moved in, but not before I had excitedly called my wife and all the friends I could find. With me, they gasped at the sight. I breathlessly checked with those who lived at the seminary. Oh yes, they told me, sometimes you see that view for a few hours. Its awesome, isnt it?

Parallels with writing this book about worship may become obvious. All my life, from my earliest worship experiences in church, I have been aware that there might be more. Beyond uncomfortable pews and often stark chapel walls bearing fading painted texts, I imagined more dazzling encounters with God than the pedestrian, predictable services offeredmore mystery, wonder, and danger. At best these worship services hinted at more profound realities of experiencing Gods sheer godness and of loving, joyous, and peaceful relationships in a community shining with holy-nation, royal-priesthood possibilities. First Peter 2:910 excited me not just about gathering with brothers and sisters in bricks and mortar but about Gods much bigger mandate. I imagined progressing on a journey together, once not a people but now Gods people, destined to impact those around us as a community united in living for Gods greatest purpose as a holy nation and a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:1112), being a church that overflowed walls and Sundays.