Book: Reformed Worship

Joyce Borger

Howard L. Rice and James C. Huffstutler. Louisville: Geneva Press, 2001. 248 pp. $24.95. ISBN 0664501478. www.ppcpub.org

Howard L. Rice and James C. Huffstutler begin with a short introduction to a Reformed worship theology, spend a few chapters on worship history, followed by the sacraments, and then move on to a more specific look at parts of the worship service, particularly music and prayer. Then comes an overview of the church year, concluding with some practical chapters on weddings, funerals, and various other worship occasions. If you want to get your toes wet this book may be helpful. But in its desire to include everything—theology, history, evaluation of current issues, and practical resources for worship planning—it fails to do a thorough job of any.

Rev. Joyce Borger is a program manager at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship for the area of practical worship planning and leading, which includes co-managing ReformedWorship.org, as well as serving as a content editor and resource creator for the website. Joyce is keen to listen to the questions being asked by churches and then identify, learn from, and amplify wise and gifted voices who can speak to them, as well as create platforms for gifts and learning to be shared. She has worked in the area of worship for over 20 years and has served as editor of several musical collections, including Psalms for All Seasons, and Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2011, 2013). She has taught worship courses at Kuyper College and is an ordained minister.