A good introduction into incorporating established liturgies and other practices into an evangelical mode of worship. A more holistic approach to faith for evangelicals. Recommended for all Christians looking to deepen their faith, but especially those not from "high-church" denominations. ( )

In the tradition of Robert Webber, Niequist has found ancient Christian faith practice as an evangelical, and he wants to introduce others. It might be a good resource to introduce this type of faith to his fellow evangelicals (using solidly evangelical touchstones such as Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, and James K.A. Smith), but it’s frustrating that aside from Brother Lawrence and the use of the Ignatian examen (but really nothing on Ignatius), no one from before 1970 seems to make the cut as a voice on these things. Alongside the evangelical luminaries are current progressive Protestant lights too (not all of them Protestant)—Ian Morgan Cron, Richard Rohr, Barbara Brown Taylor, Phileena Heuertz—but these too are obviously very recent voices. ( )

I have been following The Practice Tribe at Willow Creek for quite some time. I found it fascinating that a church that is your typical contemporary church would invite a liturgical service into their midst. Aaron Niequist said that his heart grew weary of four rocks songs and a hymn on Sunday mornings. He was tired of the pep rally and yearned for his heart to be pastored.

Tucked in the pages of this book are ancient practices that makes us better worshippers. They invite us to give our whole selves to God and let him rake us over and rebuild us. Worship is meant to become a prayerful, intentional space.

I have hundreds of highlighted notes from this book. I loved so much of me. It challenged me. One of the things Aaron said that stuck with me is that many of us have a wealth of knowledge about the river, but few of us have ever swam in it. “Contemplation becomes an attentiveness of spirit that shifts the seeker from an ordinary reality to the Kingdom of God.”

I want to write a note about it from every single page. If you are looking to deepen your faith and think more widely about what God is doing with his kingdom around you, read it.

*I was a little hesitant to read this when I saw that Aaron had been on staff with Rob Bell, but I read on anyway. It was lovely discovering with him.

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