Paul Galbreath

In this critical work, liturgical scholar Paul Galbreath brings together key theological insights and historical analysis to offer a theological roadmap of where the Reformed tradition has traveled in order to propose directions for where it is heading. From the time of John Calvin until today, Reformed theology and worship have acknowledged Word and sacrament as central to its Christian identity. Yet the ways in which Scripture is read and used in worship and the ways in which baptism and the Lord’s Supper are experienced have varied and developed throughout the history of the Reformed church. By exploring key liturgies, confessions, directories for worship, and theological movements, this book examines common theological themes and commitments that have undergirded worship as well as ways that our understandings and practices have developed in light of new contexts and challenges. Historical insights from the Reformed tradition provide a basis for exploring patterns of worship that maintain the commitment to Word and sacrament while proposing new ways in which Scripture, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper can be experienced in the postmodern context. The study of how theological insights have prompted liturgical change provides a roadmap for how worship can adapt to address significant concerns that we face in our communities, congregations, and personal lives, such as caring for the earth and responding to the needs of the poor. Altogether, Word and Sacrament offers constructive and practical directions that will lead to congregational renewal. Martha Moore-Keish writes in her foreword, “Shaped by his years of serving as a pastor, theologian, and seminary professor deeply engaged in liturgical and sacramental renewal, Galbreath argues that our theological presuppositions shape liturgical development. This was true for Calvin in the sixteenth century, for Barth in the early twentieth century, for the formation of the Worshipbook and the Book of Common Worship in the late twentieth century, and it remains true today. Given this reality, he argues, we need to make ‘conscious theological choices for the language and images that we use in worship.”

While it is not unusual to reflect on Lent as a pilgrimage from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, this devotional book diverges from traditional types of this journey by inviting us to turn our attention to the earth as a place where we encounter signs of the divine presence. The reflection for each day draws on a Scriptural reference that relates to an element from nature: Sunday - Plants/Grain; Monday - Sky; Tuesday - Wind; Wednesday - Soil; Thursday - Water; Friday - Trees; Saturday - Rocks. These reflections were inspired by two important experiences: 1) I participated in a prayer walk led by indigenous women that followed the path of the Cayuhoga River (for more on this incredible movement see nibiwalk.org). I remain grateful to Sharon Day for her generous and inspiring leadership as she works to invite us to honor and respect water; and 2) a walk I led from the ocean to the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Newport, Oregon that allowed us to explore the connection between our commitment to earth care and our baptismal vows. I am particularly indebted to Rev. Kelsey Ingalls for her enthusiastic participation and support. The Newport walk provided the basis for the artwork by Tara Taber that accompanies these reflections.

Christian worship is always undergoing change as it adapts to particular contexts and concerns. This collection of essays explores ways: 1) that liturgical change happened to address particular historical and theological concerns; 2) that worship and preaching are currently undergoing transition; and 3) that aspects of worship are in need of transformation in order to address primary issues of our time with a focus on environmental and ecological concerns. Spcial attention is paid to the role of the Sacraments and to preaching with an emphasis on the need to connect worship with daily life. These essays show readers ways that liturgical renewal worked in the past as well as offer a persuasive case for continual renewal that responds to key issues in our contemporary lives. ""Paul Galbreath's Re-forming the Liturgy is a rare and valuable resource for both pastors and professors: a theologically astute book in the Reformed tradition that is alive to the dynamic promise of past practices, attentive to biblical and sacramental cornerstones, and alert to how today's worship can engage our compelling ecological crisis."" --Douglas F. Ottati, Craig Family Distinguished Professor of Reformed Theology and Justice, Davidson College ""Biblical scholar, liturgical theologian, and prophetic preacher, Paul Galbreath offers a rich feast of essays in this volume. With equal parts erudition and passion, he calls us to attend in our worship to the biblical witness, the movement of the Spirit, and the groans of creation longing for redemption. Above all, he focuses always on how real-life communities might embody authentic Christian faith more fully, not just in church buildings, but beyond the walls, in the care for the earth as a place of God's presence."" --Martha Moore-Keish, J. B. Green Professor of Theology, Columbia Theological Seminary ""By reclaiming and recasting historical understandings of Word and sacrament, Paul Galbreath offers us an insightful, inspiring 'roadmap' for navigating the challenges facing the contemporary church. He enables us to see our worship and lives of faith in a way that both honors tradition and points toward the future."" --Beverly A. Zink-Sawyer, Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship, Union Presbyterian Seminary Paul Galbreath is Professor of Theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.). His previous books include Leading from the Table (2008); Leading through the Water (2011); and Leading into the World (2014).

The call to care for creation is a central part of our discipleship as followers of Jesus Christ. However, language and imagery of the earth is often absent in our worship services. This book helps reconnect our commitment to creation care with our life of discipleship. The process includes helping congregational members name ways that they are involved in caring for creation and encouraging them to see ways that these practices are related to Christian faith, and in doing so, nurturing the life of our communities while fostering our identity as those who care for the earth. Central to the process of reconnecting holy discipleship with earth stewardship is the development and rediscovery of biblical imagery and language that will support our care of creation and shape our prayers. As our actions are more closely connected to the language of our prayers, praying and acting will inform and enrich each other. This book also includes custom liturgies that highlight earth care, prayerfully prepared for the major festivals of the church year.

The call to care for creation is a central part of our discipleship as followers of Jesus Christ. However, language and imagery of the earth is often absent in our worship services. This book helps reconnect our commitment to creation care with our life of discipleship. The process includes helping congregational members name ways that they are involved in caring for creation and encouraging them to see ways that these practices are related to Christian faith, and in doing so, nurturing the life of our communities while fostering our identity as those who care for the earth. Central to the process of reconnecting holy discipleship with earth stewardship is the development and rediscovery of biblical imagery and language that will support our care of creation and shape our prayers. As our actions are more closely connected to the language of our prayers, praying and acting will inform and enrich each other. This book also includes custom liturgies that highlight earth care, prayerfully prepared for the major festivals of the church year.

Take My Hand is an invitation to experience a year of preaching through the eyes of a first-year pastor. Andrew Taylor-Troutman reflects on his experience of ministry as a dynamic exchange between his theological education and the people in the pews. Each chapter consists of Taylor-Troutman's reflections about a particular aspect of living as a faith community and concludes with a sermon exploring similar themes and ideas. As this book journeys through the Christian liturgical year, Taylor-Troutman considers a wide range of contemporary church issues, including the role of children in worship and the communal practice of Sabbath. He discusses topics as diverse as the Rapture, the death penalty, and church league softball. Along the way, readers will laugh at Sunday morning bloopers, study biblical texts from new perspectives, wrestle with theological questions, and discover parallels between their own experience of faith and the life of this small rural congregation. More than just a retrospective summary of events, Take My Hand poignantly illustrates how a pastor's work on Sunday morning grows out of his or her engagement with the hopes and fears of daily life, and the inspiring faith of men, women, and children in a church. The Group Study Edition encourages people of different ages and experiences to discuss and enjoy the book, while applying insights to their own communities of faith.

Take My Hand is an invitation to experience a year of preaching through the eyes of a first-year pastor. Andrew Taylor-Troutman reflects on his experience of ministry as a dynamic exchange between his theological education and the people in the pews. Each chapter consists of Taylor-Troutman's reflections about a particular aspect of living as a faith community and concludes with a sermon exploring similar themes and ideas. As this book journeys through the Christian liturgical year, Taylor-Troutman considers a wide range of contemporary church issues, including the role of children in worship and the communal practice of Sabbath. He discusses topics as diverse as the Rapture, the death penalty, and church league softball. Along the way, readers will laugh at Sunday morning bloopers, study biblical texts from new perspectives, wrestle with theological questions, and discover parallels between their own experience of faith and the life of this small rural congregation. More than just a retrospective summary of events, Take My Hand poignantly illustrates how a pastor's work on Sunday morning grows out of his or her engagement with the hopes and fears of daily life, and the inspiring faith of men, women, and children in a church. The Group Study Edition encourages people of different ages and experiences to discuss and enjoy the book, while applying insights to their own communities of faith.

This book, which developed from an understanding of the dialectical relationship between theology and the church, provides information about the function and domain of language in the church through an analysis of its creedal statements. The study begins with an historical investigation of the crisis in linguistic interpretation in the church and theological community. Subsequently, a philosophical framework is presented through an investigation of particularly significant aspects of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s later writings. Following a discussion of the alternative readings of Wittgenstein by theologians, examples are presented for ways in which we can apply Wittgenstein’s linguistic approach to the interpretation of creeds. After distinguishing optional approaches to the creeds, the book presents an understanding of creedal statements in light of Wittgenstein. Reclaiming the functional nature of doxological language within its liturgical context provides a central connection between the language of the church and the actions of its members.

This book, which developed from an understanding of the dialectical relationship between theology and the church, provides information about the function and domain of language in the church through an analysis of its creedal statements. The study begins with an historical investigation of the crisis in linguistic interpretation in the church and theological community. Subsequently, a philosophical framework is presented through an investigation of particularly significant aspects of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s later writings. Following a discussion of the alternative readings of Wittgenstein by theologians, examples are presented for ways in which we can apply Wittgenstein’s linguistic approach to the interpretation of creeds. After distinguishing optional approaches to the creeds, the book presents an understanding of creedal statements in light of Wittgenstein. Reclaiming the functional nature of doxological language within its liturgical context provides a central connection between the language of the church and the actions of its members.