Spirit and Sacrament: An Invitation to Eucharismatic Worship
Spirit and Sacrament by pastor and author Andrew Wilson is an impassioned call to join together two traditions that are frequently and unnecessarily kept separate. It is an invitation to pursue the best of both worlds in worship, the Eucharistic and the charismatic, with the grace of God at the center.Wilson envisions church services in which healing testimonies, creeds, exuberant praise and ancient liturgy coexist, and in doing so deepen our worship and increase our joy.This short, vibrant book is an appeal to bring out of the church's storehouse all its treasures, so that instead of leaning entirely into either charismatic or Eucharistic practice, or eschewing both, God's people can be free to worship with sacraments and spiritual gifts. Review I can?t think of anyone more qualified to address this challenging topic than Andrew Wilson. He writes on the convergent themes of spirit and sacrament with remarkable clarity and precision. As a fellow continuationist, I found his treatment of spiritual gifts altogether persuasive. As one who is less inclined sacramentally/ liturgically, I was challenged and stirred to think more deeply about the relationship between these two aspects of Christian and local church life. Regardless of where you land on these twin topics, no one can afford to ignore Andrew?s pointed and thoroughly biblical treatment of them. -- Sam Storms, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OklahomaThis is the book I?ve been waiting for! Spirit and Sacrament dismantles dichotomies that pit the good gifts of God against each other and invites us instead to feast on the whole enchilada Jesus has prepared for us---through worship that is (I love Andrew?s new term here) ?eucharismatic?: integrating both liturgy and levity, deep roots and ecstatic experience, formative practice and fresh divine power. For what holds both Eucharist and charisma together is, at their center, God?s charis: grace. -- Joshua Ryan Butler, pastor of Redemption Church?Tempe, author of The Skeletons in God?s Closet and The Pursuing GodDrawing from the richness of the Pentecostal-charismatic and sacramental streams, Andrew Wilson offers a theologically rich and pastorally wise way of holding the best of both worlds together. Best of all, he helps us find both grace and joy at the core. This is the book we?ve been waiting for. It is clear and compelling, thoughtful and pastoral. I kept thinking as I read it, ?Yes! That?s who we are! That?s what we do!? -- Glenn Packiam, associate senior pastor of New Life Church, author of Blessed Broken Given and Discover the Mystery of Faith About the Author Andrew Wilson is teaching pastor at King?s Church London and has theology degrees from Cambridge (MA), London School of Theology (MTh), and King?s College London (PhD). He is a columnist for Christianity Today and has written several books, including Echoes of Exodus and Spirit and Sacrament.
Spirit and Sacrament by pastor and author Andrew Wilson is an impassioned call to join together two traditions that are frequently and unnecessarily kept separate. It is an invitation to pursue the best of both worlds in worship, the Eucharistic and the charismatic, with the grace of God at the center.Wilson envisions church services in which healing testimonies, creeds, exuberant praise and ancient liturgy coexist, and in doing so deepen our worship and increase our joy.This short, vibrant book is an appeal to bring out of the church's storehouse all its treasures, so that instead of leaning entirely into either charismatic or Eucharistic practice, or eschewing both, God's people can be free to worship with sacraments and spiritual gifts. Review I can?t think of anyone more qualified to address this challenging topic than Andrew Wilson. He writes on the convergent themes of spirit and sacrament with remarkable clarity and precision. As a fellow continuationist, I found his treatment of spiritual gifts altogether persuasive. As one who is less inclined sacramentally/ liturgically, I was challenged and stirred to think more deeply about the relationship between these two aspects of Christian and local church life. Regardless of where you land on these twin topics, no one can afford to ignore Andrew?s pointed and thoroughly biblical treatment of them. -- Sam Storms, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OklahomaThis is the book I?ve been waiting for! Spirit and Sacrament dismantles dichotomies that pit the good gifts of God against each other and invites us instead to feast on the whole enchilada Jesus has prepared for us---through worship that is (I love Andrew?s new term here) ?eucharismatic?: integrating both liturgy and levity, deep roots and ecstatic experience, formative practice and fresh divine power. For what holds both Eucharist and charisma together is, at their center, God?s charis: grace. -- Joshua Ryan Butler, pastor of Redemption Church?Tempe, author of The Skeletons in God?s Closet and The Pursuing GodDrawing from the richness of the Pentecostal-charismatic and sacramental streams, Andrew Wilson offers a theologically rich and pastorally wise way of holding the best of both worlds together. Best of all, he helps us find both grace and joy at the core. This is the book we?ve been waiting for. It is clear and compelling, thoughtful and pastoral. I kept thinking as I read it, ?Yes! That?s who we are! That?s what we do!? -- Glenn Packiam, associate senior pastor of New Life Church, author of Blessed Broken Given and Discover the Mystery of Faith About the Author Andrew Wilson is teaching pastor at King?s Church London and has theology degrees from Cambridge (MA), London School of Theology (MTh), and King?s College London (PhD). He is a columnist for Christianity Today and has written several books, including Echoes of Exodus and Spirit and Sacrament.