Worship Theology

Recent discussion around theology and worship music often centers around getting lyrics more "theological" or getting the form or structure of worship "right." Dr. Nathan Myrick’s book Music for Others reveals that singing orthodox lyrics might not be enough. In this discussion, Dr. Jeremy Perigo sits down with Myrick to discuss the ethical issues in congregational worship song.

They cover a lot of ground, from the Christian punk of the 90s and 00s to how our worship music can form ethics towards restorative justice. Join this important discussion as they chat about how Christian worship music can fuel love and care for others. 

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he sits down with Dr. Angela Perigo, Director of Faith Formation at Dordt University, to discuss how to recognize a divine call to create corporate services that engage all of God’s people in worship. Drawing from Angela’s recent doctoral worship that focuses on a Spirit-shaped ecclesiology, they unpack theological and liturgical issues involved in increasing engagement with children, women, and those who are differently abled.

In part two of this discussion, Jeremy Perigo and Graham Kendrick unpack various topics surrounding leading and planning worship, including the pastoral and theological demands of leadership, liturgical songs, public praise, spiritual warfare, trending songs, the local church, and much more. Graham finishes the discussion with well-tested words of wisdom for worship leaders. Join us for part two of this unique conversation with “the father of modern worship music.”

From hymnbooks to transparencies and cathedrals to coffee shops, Graham Kendrick and Jeremy Perigo discuss the massive shifts in Christian worship in the UK over the past few decades.

The conversation quickly turns to the theology of congregational song. In addition to content, how does the form of the song help carry certain types of messages? What biblical themes are missing in worship songs? How do worship songs form us?

Join us for part one of this unique conversation with “the father of modern worship music.”

Dr. Jeremy Perigo sits down with Geraldine Latty, a London-based songwriter, performer, worship leader, vocal coach, and choir director, to discuss the ever-expanding role of leading corporate worship. They work together to cover the gamut of related topics, including defining worship leadership, passing down the tradition, performance in worship, theology & song, planned v. spontaneous, personhood, and much much more. Be encouraged and challenged by this expansive yet practical discussion. 

“Performance” is often a dirty word within popular-level worship training resources. Yet, in a recent monograph, Church Music Through the Lens of Performance, Marcell Steuernagel proposes in worship that “all participants are performing in church music.” Through an interdisciplinary approach focused on performance studies, Steuernagle opens up fresh frameworks for viewing music, identity, and congregational worship.

Against the backdrop of undergraduate texts such as Cherry’s Worship Architect, Leisch’s The New Worship, and the Reinstras’ Worship Words, Dr. Jeremy Perigo and Dr. Marcell Silva Steuernagel sit down at the Society for Christian Scholarship in Music conference to discuss Steuernagel's core content elucidating implications for the performance of Christian worship. This collaborative discussion argues against a bifurcation between worship and performance in the musicking of local churches. 

Dr. Jeremy Perigo sits down with Dr. Diane Chandler to discuss the intersection of spiritual formation and ministry praxis. Drawing from Chandler’s Christian Spiritual Formation: An Integrative Approach to Personal and Relational Wholeness, this podcast focuses on vocation, burnout, physical health, communal spirituality, and how imago Dei and imago Christi invite us to a more holistic and integrated approach to life as leaders.

Bieber, Mel Gibson, Rob Bell, stadium rock culture, and VIP packages to meet worship arts are impacting our theology and practice of worship. How is media shifting our worship? Are we selling worship? Do we worship Christian celebrities?

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts Prof. Pete Ward of Durham University in the UK as they discuss Pete’s research into the rise of worship as an economic commodity and the rise of worship celebrities. This discussion draws in themes from Pete’s Selling Worship and Celebrity Worship. Also, listen to the end to hear a little of Pete’s current work into bluegrass as he ponders why gospel music draws those from many faith traditions.

In this episode, Drs. Jeremy Perigo and Glenn Packiam explore a Charistmatic theology of worship and its impact on the study and practice of Christian worship. We also unpack some of the themes from Glenn's recent books, Worship and the World to Come and The Resilient Pastor.