Always in Rehearsal: The Practice of Worship and the Presence of Children

Warning: This book will create marvelous messes and changes in your worship! So writes an enthusiastic reviewer of Ritchie's latest book about how the generations (particularly, the younger ones) experience worship. Authentic worship happens when the full community is together. Yes, that includes wiggling, loud-whispering, sometimes crying kids. Always in Rehearsal lays a foundation for including all God's children in worship and provides a wealth of ideas for implementing this approach in your congregation. [F]or me, the presence of children in worship signals God's presence as well, Ritchie writes. I've learned to listen to the voices of the children carefully, thoughtfully, devotionally because they speak for people who stand on the periphery of faith, craving something memorable and something to draw them into community. In Always in Rehearsal, Ritchie explains: * a new approach for incorporating children into the worshipping community * ways to welcome, accommodate, and celebrate all persons in worship * ideas to help your congregation (including children) find themselves drawn into a deeper awareness of God's loving presence As the reviewer continued, Jim's love of children and his deep passion for preparing them in faith comes through loud and clear. This book includes hundreds of ideas that any congregation can do.