Reviewed by Steven W. Manskar 

"Only those who believe in God can worship God! Since the term worship has to do with the worthiness of the One who is worshiped, certainly only those who know and acknowledge that worth can genuinely ascribe it and proclaim it. That is why the misunderstanding concerning the difference between worship and evangelism that is so prevalent in present-day conflicts concerning worship is so dangerous" (page 120).

Worship of God is an essential element of discipleship and Christian life. However, there is a great diversity of opinion and understanding on the nature and purpose of worship across the church. With the growing popularity of seeker and contemporary worship services, many believe the purpose of worship is evangelism. The emphasis on discarding hymnals in favor of praise songs and choruses, the use of electronic media (video and computers), and drama to appeal to postmodern tastes and to make the church and the gospel more appealing to unbelievers has placed the burden of evangelism almost entirely on Sunday morning. Worship is seen as the primary entry point for introducing people to the Christian faith.

In A Royal "Waste" of Time, Marva Dawn challenges this contemporary understanding of worship's purpose and role in the life of the church. She makes the distinction between worship and evangelism. Using Scripture (particularly the early church depicted in Acts) and tradition to support her argument, Dawn asserts that worship is what the church does for God. In worship, God is the audience. Worship is the time and place for the community of believers to gather for praise, prayer, and sacrament to remember who and whose they are. Worship should contribute to the formation of believers as members of a community of faith and as disciples of Jesus Christ; God is always at the center.

Dawn believes that such worship will also be compelling and inviting to nonbelievers and seekers. But, she warns, worship must not be confused with evangelism. Worship is the work of the people who are the gathered body of Christ. It happens on Sunday morning and other times during the week when believers come together. Evangelism is the work of every Christian person throughout the week. Dawn writes that every Christian is responsible for sharing his/her faith and love for God every day of the week, in day-to-day living. One of the purposes of worship, she believes, is to form and equip Christians to share their faith with confidence and grace.

Consequently, according to Dawn, the church must make a clear distinction between evangelistic events and worship. Evangelistic events are intended to present the good news of God in Jesus Christ to and for nonbelievers and seekers. Worship is the work of the people of Christ, the church, and is directed for and toward the triune God.

In addition to offering a helpful critique and correction to the often market- and culture-driven movement toward "contemporary" and "seeker sensitive" worship, Dawn gives the reader many practical ideas, suggestions, and resources for developing worship that emerges from the community and is faithful to God and to the gospel of Christ. She encourages the reader and the church to always ask the theological questions when decisions are made about worship. She encourages the use of all styles of music and other means of praising God in worship (drama, dance, video, and other technologies). Her goal is to help worship leaders and planners always be clear about the nature and purpose of faithful Christian worship and evangelism.

A Royal "Waste" of Time is an excellent book for study and discussion in a Covenant Discipleship group, local church worship committee, church council, or Sunday school class. It will generate lively discussion about worship, evangelism, and what it means to be "church" for the world.

Available from Cokesbury,www.cokesbury.com, 800-672-1789

Steven W. Manskar (smanskar@gbod.org) is Director of Accountable Discipleship, United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee.