Karen B. Westerfield Tucker

Karen Westerfield Tucker is a United Methodist elder (presbyter) affiliated with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. She served a congregation in Rock Island, Illinois, and the Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois (U-C) before pursuing the doctorate in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. She was on the faculty at Duke University for fifteen years, and has been at the School of Theology since 2004. She has taught seminary and continuing education courses throughout the United States and Canada, and in Asia, Pacifica, and Europe. Her research interests include North American liturgical history and theology, Methodist/Wesleyan liturgical history and theology, liturgy and pastoral care, ecumenism, and hymnody. In 2002-2003, she was selected as a Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology to study the theological and cultural dynamics of hymnals. She is a past president of the ecumenical and international Societas Liturgica, and for nine years was the editor-in-chief of the society’s journal Studia Liturgica. From 2006 to 2022 she was a member of the Joint Commission for Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, serving from 2011-2022 as co-secretary. She is the 2023 recipient of the North American Academy of Liturgy’s Berakah Award in recognition of a “distinguished contribution to the professional work of liturgy.” She currently represents the World Methodist Council on the ecumenical and international consultation discussing “The Feast of Creation and the Mystery of Creation.”

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Publications

Books

(Editor.) The Oxford History of Christian Worship. Revised and online edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016- .

(Editor with Martin Stuflesser and Patrick Prétot.) Die Taufe: Riten und christliches Leben. Theologie der Liturgie 2. Regensburg: Friedrich Pustet, 2012.

(Editor with Geoffrey Wainwright.) The Oxford History of Christian Worship. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

American Methodist Worship. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.

(Editor.) The Sunday Service of the Methodists: Twentieth-Century Worship in Worldwide Methodism. Studies in Honor of James F. White. Nashville: Abingdon/Kingswood, 1996

Chapters in Books

“1784 Sunday Service.” In The Routledge Companion to John Wesley, ed. Clive Murray Norris and Joseph W. Cunningham, pp. 148-60. London and New York: Routledge, 2023.
“Baptism and Ecumenism: Towards a Sacramental Bond of Unity.” In New Life in the Risen Christ: A Wesleyan Theology of Baptism, ed. Jonathan Powers, pp. 271-90. Eugene, OR: Cascade/Wipf & Stock, 2023.

“Early Christian Foundations for Current Sacramental Thought: A Brief Overview.” In T & T Clark Handbook of Sacraments and Sacramentality, ed. Martha Moore-Keish and James Farwell, pp. 39-44. New York: T & T Clark, 2023.

(With Geoffrey Wainwright.) “The Lord’s Supper according to the Methodist Orders.” In Sacrum Convivium: Die Eucharistiegebete der Westlichen Kirchen im 20. und frühen 21. Jahrhundert, vol. 1, ed. Irmgard Pahl and Stefan Böntert, 365-418. Spicilegium Friburgense, 49. Münster: Aschendorff, 2021.

“Congregational Song from Ecumenical Movements.” In Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions, vol. 3, ed. Benjamin K. Forrest, Mark A. Lamport, and Vernon M. Whaley, 178-89. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2019.

“Evangelical Anglican Hymnists.” In Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions, vol. 2, ed. Benjamin K. Forrest, Mark A. Lamport, and Vernon M. Whaley, 240-53. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2019.

“Liturgy.” In The Oxford Handbook of Ecumenical Studies, ed. Geoffrey Wainwright and Paul McPartlan. Oxford: Oxford University Press (Online publication April 2018).

“Song as a Sign and Means of Christian Unity.” In Exploring Christian Song, eds. M. Jennifer Bloxam and Andrew Shenton, 3-25. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2017.

“Foreword.” In Holy Fire Fell: A History of Worship, Revivals, and Feasts in the Church of the Nazarene, by Dirk R. Ellis, ix-xi. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2016.

“Eucharist and Ecumenism.” In A Wesleyan Theology of the Eucharist: The Presence of God for Christian Life and Ministry, ed. Jason E. Vickers, 273-90. Nashville: Foundery Books, 2016.

“Hymnals as Theological Texts: The Case of Civil War Publications.” In Liturgy’s Imagined Past/s: Methodologies and Materials in the Writing of Liturgical History Today, ed. Teresa Berger and Bryan D. Spinks, pp. 251-72. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016.

“The Great Thanksgivings of the United Methodist Church: Anaphoral Construction and Reception.” In Gemeinschaft im Danken: Grundfragen der Eucharistiefeier im ökumenischen Gespräch, ed. Stefan Böntert, pp. 222-237. Studien zur Pastoralliturgie 40. Regensburg: Pustet, 2015.

“Sacraments and Life-Cycle Rituals.” In The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism, ed. Jason E. Vickers, pp. 138-155. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013.

“Methodist Liturgy and Worship.” In The Ashgate Research Companion to World Methodism, ed. William Gibson, Peter Forsaith, and Martin Wellings, 269-87. Farnham, Surry and Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2013.

“Methodism’s ‘World Parish’: Liturgical and Hymnological Migrations in Three Ecclesiastical Generations.” In Liturgy in Migration: From the Upper Room to Cyberspace, ed. Teresa M. Berger, 131-54. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2012.

“The Place of Scripture in Worship.” In Wesley, Wesleyans, and Reading Bible as Scripture, ed. Joel B. Green and David F. Watson, 227-43. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2012.

“Taufe und Ökumene.” In Die Taufe: Riten und christliches Leben, ed. Martin Stuflesser, Karen Westerfield Tucker and Patrick Prétot, 21-33. Regensburg: Verlag Friedrich Pustet, 2012.

“Methodist Worship.” In T & T Clark Companion to Methodism, ed. Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., 240-56. London and New York: T & T Clark, 2010.

“The Collect in the United Methodist Church and its Antecedents.” In The Collect in the Churches of the Reformation, ed. Bridget Nichols, 83-105. SCM Studies in Worship and Liturgy. London: SCM, 2010.

“Wesley’s Emphases on Worship and the Means of Grace.” In The Cambridge Companion to John Wesley, ed. Randy L. Maddox and Jason E. Vickers, 225-41. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.

“Mainstream Liturgical Developments.” In The Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies, ed. William J. Abraham and James E. Kirby, 295-312. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

“Afterword.” In Christian Worship in Australia: Inculturating the Liturgical Tradition, ed. Stephen Burns and Anita Monro, 221-24. Strathfield, NSW: St. Paul’s Publications, 2009.

“The Initiatory Rites of the United Methodist Church” and “Convergence and Divergence: Baptism Today.” In Baptism Today: Understanding, Practice, Ecumenical Implications, Faith and Order Paper No. 207, ed. Tom Best, 99-107, 213-24. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press/World Council of Churches Publications, 2008.

“‘But who do you say that I am?’: Christology in Recent Protestant Hymnals.” In The Place of Christ in Liturgical Prayer. Trinity, Christology and Liturgical Theology, ed. Bryan D. Spinks, 327-41. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008.

“The Prayer Book and Other Traditions: John Wesley and the Methodists.” In The Oxford Guide to The Book of Common Prayer: A Worldwide Survey, ed. Charles Hefling and Cynthia Shattuck, 209- 213. New York: Oxford UniversityPress, 2006.

“North America” and “Retrospect and Prospect” (with Geoffrey Wainwright). In The Oxford History of Christian Worship, ed. Geoffrey Wainwright and Karen Westerfield Tucker, 586-632, 858-65. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

“The Liturgical Functioning of Orthodox Troparia and Wesleyan Hymns.” In Orthodox and Wesleyan Scriptural Understanding and Practice, ed. S T Kimbrough, Jr., 293-304. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s SeminaryPress, 2005.

(with Geoffrey Wainwright). “A Wesleyan Anaphora.” In Liturgia et Unitas. In honorem Bruno Bürki, ed. Martin Klöckener and Arnaud Join-Lambert, 145-59. Fribourg: Éditions universitaires, 2001 and Geneva: Labor et Fides, 2001.

“Lex credendi, lex canendi: Noting the Faith of the Church.” In Ecumenical Theology in Worship, Doctrine and Life: Essays Presented to Geoffrey Wainwright on his Sixtieth Birthday, ed. David S. Cunningham, Ralph Del Colle, and Lucas Lamadrid, 40-54. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

“‘Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow’: Trinitarian Euchology in the Churches of the Reformation.” In Source and Summit: Commemorating Josef A. Jungmann, S.J., ed. Joanne M. Pierce and Michael Downey, 109-120. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999.

“Family and Midweek Worship: Private and Public Devotion in the Methodist Tradition.” In Doctrines and Discipline: Methodist Theology and Practice, ed. Dennis M. Campbell, William B. Lawrence, and Russell E. Richey, 161-78. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.

“Form and Freedom: John Wesley’s Legacy for Methodist Worship” and “Observations: Sunday Worship in the World Parish.” In The Sunday Service of the Methodists: Twentieth-Century Worship in Worldwide Methodism. Studies in Honor of James F. White, ed. Karen B. Westerfield Tucker, 17-30, 323-32, 354-57, 390-91. Nashville: Abingdon/Kingswood, 1996.

“Christian Rituals Surrounding Sickness” and “Christian Rituals Surrounding Death.” In Life Cycles in Jewish and Christian Worship, ed. Paul F. Bradshaw and Lawrence A. Hoffman, 154-72, 196-213. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1996.

“Benedictines and Methodists in Liturgical Renewal: Currents and Cross-Currents.” The Asbury Theological Journal 50-51 (1995-96) 211-22; also as “Benedettini e Metodisti nel rinnovamento liturgico: tendenze e confluenze.” In La santificazione nelle tradizioni Benedettina e Metodista, ed. Bruno Corsani, Réginald Grégoire, and Febe Cavazzutti Rossi, 477-92. Verona: Il Segna dei Gabrielli, 1998.

Scholarly Articles

“‘The Tuneful Art to Captivate a Human Heart’: Song and Singing in the Methodist/Wesleyan Tradition.” Journal of Christian Studies 3.1 (2024): 45-65.

“Another Look at the Methodist/Wesleyan Love Feast: Introduction, Reception, Adaptation, and Emerging Possibilities.” Wesley and Methodist Studies 15.2 (2023): 145-76.

“‘Shew Us Thy Salvation’: Charles Wesley and the Liturgical Year.” Wesley and Methodist Studies 11.2 (2019): 166-91.

“‘Wesleyan’? ‘Wesleyan Tradition’? Worship and Liturgical Practices among the Spiritual Descendants of John and Charles Wesley.” Wesleyan Theological Journal 53.2 (Fall 2018): 30-53.

“‘Through the Church the Song Goes On’: Ecumenical Implications of Singing Together.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 53.2 (Spring 2018): 245-61.

“세상에 있으나 세상에 속하지 않은: 문화와 상황 속의 예배” (“In the World But Not of It: Worship in Culture and Context.” Trans. By Jung Kim. Church Music Research Society of Korea (Spring 2018): 5-12.

“Journeying Together: Pope Francis and the International Roman Catholic and World Methodist Bilateral.” Liturgy 33.2 (2018): 46-53.

“Reflections by an Ecumenical Observer: A United Methodist Perspective.” Sewanee Theological Review 61.1 (Christmas 2017): 127-35.

“Residents yet Sojourners: Worship in Culture and Context.” Asia-Pacific Journal of Theological Studies 5 (2016): 43-62.

“‘Knee-bowed and Body-bent’: The Connection of Scripture with Postures and Gestures.” Liturgy 31.1 (2016) 10-18.

“Have Hymnals Become Dinosaurs?” The Yale ISM Review 1.1 (2014) Article 18. Available at http://ismreview.yale.edu/?issuem_pdf=true&issue_id=2.

“The Ecumenical Legacy of the Second Vatican Council: Reflections of an Accidental Ecumenist.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 48 (2013) 151-65.

“Scriptural Typology and Allegory in Liturgical Prayer.” Liturgy 28.2 (2013) 4-13.

“Baptism and Ecumenism: Agreements and Problems on the Journey Towards Mutual Recognition. Presidential Address.” Studia Liturgica 42 (2012) 1-12.

“Le baptême, fondement de l’unité des chrétiens.” La Documentation catholique no. 2476 (16 Octobre 2011) 885-892.

“North American Methodism’s Engagement with Liturgical Renewal.” Liturgy 26.4 (2011) 57-66.

“Music Wars: A New Conflict?” Liturgy 24.4 (2009) 3-9.

“Creating Liturgies ‘in the Gaps.’” Liturgy 22.3 (2007) 65-71.

“The State of North American Liturgical Scholarship: A Report Card.” Doxology 23 (2006) 81-104; also in Proceedings of the North American Academy of Liturgy (2007) 118-36 and Studia Liturgica 37 (2007) 117-28.

“Polemic against Stillness in the Hymns on the Lord’s Supper.” Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester 88.2 (2006) 101-19.

“Music for Christian Funerals: Theological and Pastoral Reflections.” Liturgy 21 (2006) 55-62.

“Back to the Future: The Relevance of John Wesley for Today.” Sacramental Life 17 (Winter 2004/2005) 37-55.

“‘This Holy Mystery’ and the Eucharistic Theology and Practice of the Wesleys.” Sacramental Life 16 (Fall 2004) 793-802.

“Music as a Language of Faith.” Notre Dame Center for Liturgy website: http://liturgy.nd.edu/conference/papers/tucker2004.shtml; also revised in Ecclesia Orans 23 (2006) 81-98.

“‘On the Occasion’: Charles Wesley’s Hymns on the London Earthquakes of 1750.” Methodist History 42 (2004) 197-221.

“Charles Wesley on Worship.” Proceedings of the Charles Wesley Society 9 (2003-2004) 83-94.

“John Wesley and the Book of Common Prayer.” Australian Journal of Liturgy 9 (2004) 115-33.

“Children of God by Faith.” Ministry & Liturgy 31 (2004) 9-10.

“‘Knowledge and Vital Piety’: The Wesleys and Christian Education.” In Queen’s College Friends of the Library Occasional Paper 14 (September 2003) 1-11; edited version also in Aedificamus 2 (2003) 154-64.

“The Trinitarian Character of Methodist Anaphoras.” Doxology 20 (2003) 1-19.

“When the Cradle is Empty: Rites Acknowledging Stillbirth, Miscarriage, and Infertility.” Worship 76 (2002) 482-502.

“The Lectionary Our Common Table? A Protestant View.” One in Christ 37 (2002) 55-62.

“‘Let Us Thy Mercy Prove’: A United Methodist Understanding of the Eucharist.” Quarterly Review 22 (2002) 234-47.

“A Decade of Christian Song: Observations on Recent Hymnals and Songbooks.” Studia Liturgica 31 (2001) 193-210.

“The Liturgical Ministries of the United Methodist Deacon: Continuity and Change.” Methodist History 39 (2001) 82-98.

“Liturgical Perspectives on Changes in North American Hymnody in the Past Twenty-Five Years.” The Hymn 52 (2001) 22-27; also in Open: Journal of the Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission 46 (Summer 2000) 9-11 and (Fall 2000) 4-6.

“Congregational Song as Liturgical Ordo and Proper: The Case of English-Language Hymns and Hymnals.” Studia Liturgica 28 (1998) 102-20.

“‘In Thankful Verse Proclaim’: English Eucharistic Hymns of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries.” Studia Liturgica 26 (1996) 237-52.

“The Eucharist in the Book of Common Worship (1993).” The Princeton Seminary Bulletin 16 (1995) 138-49.

“Liturgical Expressions of Care for the Poor in the Wesleyan Tradition: A Case Study for the Ecumenical Church.” Worship 69 (1995) 51-64.

“John Wesley’s Prayer Book Revision: The Text in Context.” Proceedings of the Charles Wesley Society 1 (1994) 119-35; also in Methodist History 34 (1996) 230-47.

“‘Plain and Decent’: Octagonal Space and Methodist Worship.” Studia Liturgica 24 (1994) 129-44.

Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and other Articles

“Hymnal,” “Liturgical Movement,” “United Methodist Church,” “Worship and Liturgy.” Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, ed. George Thomas Kurian and Mark A. Lamport, pp. 1166-167, 1360, 2365-367, 2527-535. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2016.

“Methodism.” In Grove Dictionary of American Music, 2nd ed., ed. Charles Hiroshi Garrett, vol. 5, 464-68. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.

Entries for Ezekiel 36:25 (“Baptism by Water”); Joel 2:28-32 (“Baptism by the Spirit”); Matthew 3:13-17 (“Baptism”); Colossians 3:16 (“Singing Hymns”); Titus 3:5 (“Baptismal Regeneration”). In The Wesley Study Bible, ed. Joel B. Green and William H. Willimon, 1031, 1088, 1165, 1449, 1477. Nashville: Abingdon, 2008.

“Christian Practices.” In Christianity: The Illustrated History, ed. Hans J. Hillerbrand, 86-105. London: Duncan Baird, 2008.

“Worship 8: United States and Canada.” In The Encyclopedia of Christianity, ed. Erwin Fahlbusch, et al., vol. 5, 806-810. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans/Brill, 2008.

“Buxtehude, Dietrich,” “Divorce,” “Methodism, Global,” “Worship.” In Encyclopedia of Protestantism, ed. Hans J. Hillerbrand, 326, 602-607, 1220-223, 2057-2062. New York: Routledge, 2004.

“Baptism 9: Methodist,” “Books, Liturgical 9: Methodist,” “Camp Meeting,” “Funerals 9: Methodist,” “Marriage 9: Methodist,” “Methodist Worship 2: USA,” “Ordination 9: Methodist,” “Sick, Liturgical Ministry to the,” and “Word, Services of the, 9: Methodist.” In The New SCM Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship, ed. Paul F. Bradshaw, 47-48, 81-82, 90, 223-24, 305-306, 317-18, 352-53, 436-38, 487-88. London: SCM Press, 2002. Also as The New Westminster Dictionary of Liturgy & Worship. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002.

“Advent,” “Calendar,” “Christmas,” “Easter,” “Epiphany,” “Lent,” “Pentecost,” and “Sunday.” In The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought, ed. Adrian Hastings, 7, 89-90, 113-14, 184, 203, 384-85, 529-30, 690. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

“Chinese Palings.” Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society 50 (1995) 30-31.

“Lectionary Preaching.” In Concise Encyclopedia of Preaching, ed. William Willimon and Richard Lischer, 305-307. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 1995

Ecclesiastical Articles, Essays, Resources, and Services of Worship

“Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life during a Pandemic.” Member of the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments: Consultant and Contributor. June 8, 2020. https://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/10369/resuming-care-filled-worship-and-sacramental-life-during-a-pandemic.

“Christian Worship and Devotion during Social Distancing: A Resource for United Methodists.” Member of Theologians and Scholars of Methodist Worship: Consultant and Contributor. Author of “The Means of Grace,” “Worship at Home for Palm Sunday,” “Worship at Home for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week,” “Guidance for Ministries to the Dying and Bereaved During Social Distancing.” Editor of “Home Worship for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil,” Prayers and Affirmations in a Time of Pandemic,” “Poems, Hymns and a Meditation in a Time of Pandemic.” Spring 2020. https://www.ministrymatters.com/pandemic/165/christian-worship-and-devotion-during-social-distancing-a-resource-for-united-methodists.

“Celebrating 50 Years of Official Dialogue between Methodists and Roman Catholics.” Pray Tell (October 26, 2017). http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2017/10/26/celebrating-50-years-of-official-dialogue-between-methodists-and-roman-catholics/.

“Eucharist or Eucharistic? Considering ‘Dinner Church.’” Pray Tell (October 4, 2017). http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2017/10/04/eucharist-or-eucharistic-considering-dinner-church/.

“Made for Music—That Transforms Worship.” WorshipArts (May-June 2015): 4-5.

“The Means of Grace.” In 44 Sermons to Serve the Present Age, ed. Angela Shier-Jones and Kimberly D. Reisman, 73-78. Peterborough: Epworth, 2007.

“Mysterious Bread, Mysterious Love.” In Charles Wesley’s Hymns: “Prints” and Practices of Love Divine, ed. Maxine Walker, 47-53. San Diego: Point Loma Press, 2007.

“‘Bless Thee, that I e’er was Born”: Worship Resources for the Charles Wesley Tercentenary.” Circuit Rider 30.5 (September-October 2006) 20-22.

“Freedom, Order, and Connection: A Call for Recovery.” 30.4 Circuit Rider (July-August 2006) 7-9.

“Table Etiquette: Means and Manners.” http://www.gbod.org/worship/articles/table.html.

“The American Flag in Methodist Worship: A Historical Look at Practice.” http://www.gbod.org/worship/default_body.asp?act=reader&item_id=3888.

“United Methodist Worship: Back to the Future.” Circuit Rider 22 (September/October 1999) 10-11.

“Worship and Culture: Inculturating the Good News.” In Worship Matters: A United Methodist Guide to Ways to Worship, vol. 1, ed. E. Byron Anderson, 73-79. Nashville: Discipleship Resources,1999.

“The Centrality of Christian Worship” and “Advent: Between the Times.” In Standing at the Door: Millennial-Change Worship Resources, ed. Roger C. Dowdy, 9-11, 27-28. Nashville: General

Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church, 1999.

“More than Words: Grace-ful Gestures at the Table.” Reformed Worship 48 (June 1998) 34-36.

“Suggested Worship Resources for Heritage Sunday 1997.” In “United Methodist Witnesses for Jesus Christ: The Witness of Women.” Madison, NJ: General Commission on Archives and History, United Methodist Church, 1997.

“Nicholas Ferrar,” “George Herbert,” “Harry Hosier,” “St. Michael and All Angels,” and “Peter and Paul, Apostles.” In For All the Saints: A Calendar of Commemorations for United Methodists, ed. Clifton F. Guthrie, 23, 76, 122, 146, 198. Cleveland, OH: Order of St. Luke Publications, 1995.

“A Look at the Christian Year.” Jubilate! A Newsletter for United Methodist Musicians (May 1993) 1-2, 6.

“An Order for Commissioning to Short-Term Christian Service,” “A Service of Hope after Loss of Pregnancy,” and “A Service of Farewell to a Bishop or District Superintendent.” In The United Methodist Book of Worship, 592-93, 623-26, 730-34. Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 1992.

Interviewed respondent for the video “Sacrament and Worship Series,” United Methodist Church. Nashville: Graded Press, 1990.

“The Water Image in the Gospel of John.” Adult Bible Studies Teaching Helps (December 1989- February 1990). Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989.

“John: The Gospel of Life and Light.” Thirteen lessons in Adult Bible Studies Teaching Helps (December 1989-February 1990). Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 1989.

“A Pastoral Response to a Silent Tragedy.” The Christian Ministry 20 (January-February 1989) 11-13.

“Dedication Service for a Youth Work Project.” The Church School 14 (October 1981) 12.

Book Reviews

Today I Live: Hymns and Songs of Remembrance and Hope, by Carlton R. Young; and Amen. Alleluia! A Resource for Praying Farewell, by Barbara Day Miller and Carlton R. Young. In Doxology 34 (2023): 30-32.

Ministerial Orders and Sacramental Authority in The United Methodist Church and its Antecedents, 1784-2016, by Rex D. Matthews. In Wesley and Methodist Studies 13.1 (2021): 99-101.

The Hymnal: A Reading History, by Christopher N. Phillips. In Church Times (12 April 2019).

The Book of Common Prayer: A Biography, by Alan Jacobs. In Pro Ecclesia 25.2 (Spring 2016): 240-43.

By the Vision of Another World: Worship in American History, ed. by James D. Bratt. In Christian Scholar’s Review 42 (2013) 305-7.

The Altar’s Fire: Charles Wesley’s Hymns on the Lord’s Supper, 1745. Introduction and Exposition, by Daniel B. Stevick. In Worship 80 (2006) 88-90.

Sacred Song in America: Religion, Music, and Public Culture, by Stephen A. Marini. In Indiana Magazine of History 101 (2005) 389-90.

Discerning the Spirits: A Guide to Thinking about Christian Worship Today, by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. and Sue A. Rozeboom and Prayer and the Priesthood of Christ in the Reformed Tradition, by Graham Redding. In Theology Today 62 (2005) 125-30.

Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary, ed. Beverly Roberts Gaventa and Cynthia L. Rigby. In Worship 78 (2004) 89-91.

When Church Became Theatre: The Transformation of Evangelical Architecture and Worship in Nineteenth-Century America, by Jeanne Halgren Kilde. In Church History (2003) 900-901.

The Reformation of the Dead: Death and Ritual in Early Modern Germany, 1450-1700, by Craig M. Koslofsky. In Doxology 19 (2002) 151-53.

The Altar Call: Its Origins and Present Usage, by David Bennett. In Doxology 19 (2002) 146-48.

Good Lord, Deliver Us: The Praise of God and the Problem of Evil, by Rowan Crews. In Worship 76 (2002) 560-61.

Making Room at the Table: An Invitation to Multicultural Worship, ed.Brian K. Blount and Leonora Tubbs Tisdale. In Theology Today 58 (2001) 436, 438.

Medieval Music as Medieval Exegesis, by William T. Flynn. In Church History 70 (2001) 153-54.

What Happens in Holy Communion? by Michael Welker. In The Christian Century 118 (February 7-14, 2001) 62-64.

The Symbols of the Church, by Maurice Dilasser. In Church History 69 (2000) 918-19.

The Landscape of Praise: Readings in Liturgical Renewal, ed. Blair Gilmer Meeks. In Worship 72 (1998) 375-76.

Pulpit, Table, and Song: Essays in Celebration of Howard G. Hageman, ed. Heather Murray Elkins and Edward C. Zaragoza. In Worship 71 (1997) 564-65.

John Wesley and Marriage, by Bufford W. Coe. In Worship 71 (1997) 358-59.

Music of the Heart: John and Charles Wesley on Music and Musicians, by Carlton R. Young. In Worship 70 (1996) 365-67.

Eucharist: Christ’s Feast with the Church, by Laurence Hull Stookey. In Worship 70 (1996) 84-85.

Worship and Culture in Dialogue, ed. Lutheran World Federation. In International Review of Mission 84 (1995) 317-19.

The Eucharistic Mystery, by David N. Power. In Theologische Literaturzeitung 119 (1994) 59-60.

The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) and The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992). In Studia Liturgica 23 (1993) 219-22.

Editorial Responsibilities

2017-2019: Member, Editorial Board, The Hymn (Hymn Society of the United States and Canada)
2016-2019: Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions, ed. Benjamin K. Forrest, Mark A.Lamport, and Vernon M. Whaley. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.
2016- : Member, Editorial Board, New Room Books (General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Church)
2016- : Member, Editorial Board, Ashgate Methodist Studies Series (Routledge)
2013-2015: Business Administrator, Studia Liturgica
2011 : Editor, Encountering Christ the Saviour: Church and Sacraments (international dialogue text, Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council)
2009- : Member, Editorial Board, Wesley & Methodist Studies
2005-2013: Chief Editor, Studia Liturgica (An International Ecumenical Review for Liturgical Research and Renewal)

Awards and Distinctions

2023: Berakah Award, North American Academy of Liturgy
2013: Kavanagh Lecturer, Yale Divinity School
2013: Boston University School of Theology Student Association Teaching Excellence Award
2011: Distinguished Achievement Award, Alumni Board, Emory & Henry College
2003: Sugden Fellow, Queen’s College, University of Melbourne

Fellowships and Grants

2003: The Louisville Institute, General Grant (for The Oxford History of Christian Worship)
2002-2003: Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology, Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

Courses Taught

• Healing Relationships with Animals
• Introduction to Christian Worship (history, theology, and practice)
• Proseminar in Liturgical Bibliography
• Reading and Writing Rites of Passage (previously Pastoral Offices)
• The Sacraments: Rites and Theologies
• Sung Faith: The Trinity in Hymns
• Theologies of Church Music
• Worship in the Anglican and Wesleyan Traditions
• Worship in Times of Change (online Doctor of Ministry course)
• Writing for Worship

Academic Lectures and Presentations (2010 – present)

Twenty-ninth Congress of Societas Liturgica, Maynooth, Ireland: Short paper, “Rites and Practices of Reconciliation: An Examination of the Report of the Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church (2022),” August 10, 2023.

Duke University Divinity School, Conference on “Spiritual Theology: Retrievals and Prospects,” Durham, NC: Lecture “‘The Tuneful Art to Captivate a Human Heart’: A Wesleyan Lyrical and Musical Spirituality,” March 24, 2023.

Manchester Wesley Research Centre Annual Lecture, “Another Look at the Methodist/Wesleyan Love Feast: Introduction, Reception, Adaptation, and Emerging Possibilities,” Manchester, England (lecture livestreamed online), June 16, 2020.

Undergraduate and Master of Divinity course lecture (2 hours), Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seremban, Malaysia: “Current Trends in Worship Theology and Practices,” April 16, 2019.

Fourteenth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies, Oxford, England: Working group presentation, “Baptism: Towards a Sacramental Bond of Unity,” August 17, 2018.

Nazarene Theological Seminary, Conference on “Church Music and the Christian Year,” Kansas City, MO: Three lectures: “Origins”; “The Wesleys and their Spiritual Descendants”; and “Why Does It Matter?” September 25, 2017.

North American Academy of Ecumenists, Annual Conference, “Worship in Ecumenical Contexts: A Once and Future Vision. What Have We Learned?” Boston, MA: Plenary Address: “‘Through the Church the Song Goes On’: Ecumenical Implications of Singing Together,” September 23, 2017.

Wesleyan Liturgical Society, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY: Invited lecture: “‘Wesleyan’? ‘Wesleyan Tradition’? Worship and Liturgical Practices among the Spiritual Descendants of John and Charles Wesley,” March 2, 2017.

Stockholm School of Theology, Bromma, Sweden, Conference “Churches in Change”: Invited Keynote Lecture: “Worship and Confessional Identities in Union, United, and Uniting Churches,” February 3, 2017.

Higher Seminar in Practical Ecclesiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden: Invited presentation for on “Song as a Sign and Means of Christian Unity,” January 31, 2017.

Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, Seoul, South Korea, Conference “Twenty-first Century Asian Pacific Theology and Practice: Worship and Church Music in Modern Culture”: Invited Lecture: “In the World But Not Of It: Worship in Culture and Context,” May 10, 2016.

Society for Christian Scholarship in Music, Boston University, Boston, MA: Keynote address: “Song as a Sign and Means of Christian Unity,” February 11, 2016.

Malines Conversations Group (Roman Catholic–Anglican), Third Meeting, Boston College, Boston, MA: Lecture, “Text in Context: The Inculturated Word,” March 23, 2015.

Colloquium on the Civil War, Yale Institute of Sacred Music, New Haven, CT: Paper, “Religious Song in the Camp,” February 25, 2015.

St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: DeMargerie Lecture on Christian Unity and Reconciliation: “An Ecumenism of Life: Liturgy and Dialogue,” January 20, 2015.

St. Andrew’s College, University of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Master of Divinity class “Christians in Conversations: Aspects of Ecumenism: Lecture/class session, “The World Methodist Council–Roman Catholic International Bilaterals,” January 20, 2015.

Arthur Vining Davis Grant Lecture/Workshop, School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University, Seattle, WA: “With One Voice: Song and Christian Unity,” July 13, 2014.

Institute of Sacred Music, Yale University, New Haven, CT, Conference “Liturgy’s Imagined Pasts”: Formal response to Dr. Melanie Ross’ paper “Liturgy’s Past on the American Frontier,” June 17, 2014.

Wesleyan Students’ Association, Boston University School of Theology, Boston, MA: “Presiding at Sacraments,” March 20, 2014.

The Kavanagh Lecture, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT: “Have Hymnals Become Dinosaurs? The Costs of Extinction,” October 24, 2013.

Thirteenth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies, Oxford, England: Working group presentation, “The Trinitarian Shape of Methodist Worship and Interfaith Liturgical Participation,” August 14, 2013.

National Workshop on Christian Unity, Columbus, Ohio: Keynote Address: “Vatican II from a Protestant Perspective,” April 9, 2013.

North American Academy of Ecumenists, Annual Conference “The Ecumenical Legacy of the Second Vatican Council,” Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada: Keynote Address: “The Ecumenical Legacy of the Second Vatican Council: Reflections of an Accidental Ecumenist,” September 21, 2012.

United Theological Seminary, Conference “Theology, Eucharist and Ministry,” Dayton, OH: Presentation: “Eucharist and Ecumenism,” May 17, 2012.

Societas Liturgica Congress, Presidential Address, Reims, France: “Baptism and Ecumenism: Agreements and Problems on the Journey Towards Mutual Recognition,” August 8, 2011.

Theology Faculty, University of Stellenbosch, Conference “Liturgy and Worship,” Stellenbosch, South Africa: Plenary lectures: “Current Global Trends in Worship and Music” and “Reflections on Baptism,” July 26-28, 2011.

Institute of Sacred Music, Yale University, Conference “Liturgy in Migration: Cultural Contexts from the Upper Room to Cyberspace,” New Haven, CT: Plenary lecture: “Methodism’s ‘World Parish’: Liturgical and Hymnological Migrations in Three Ecclesiastical Generations,” February 24-27, 2011.

Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, Korea: Lecture in graduate-level music history class: “Music as a Language of Faith,” May 7, 2010.

Hanshin Graduate School of Theology and Kyungdong Presbyterian Church, First International Seminar on Theology and Music, Seoul, Korea: Plenary lecture: “Current Trends in Worship and Music in North American Churches,” May 6, 2010.

Ecclesiastical Lectures, Programs, Workshops, and Sermons (2010 – present)

Workshop for Pastors of the Windham Association (CT), United Church of Christ, Mansfield, CT: “From Easter to Pentecost,” March 12, 2020.

Combined Pastors’ Retreat, The Methodist Church in Singapore, Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Three lectures and panel, April 24-26, 2019.

Ministers’ Day Retreat, Trinity Annual Conference, The Methodist Church in Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: “Creating Faithful and Authentic Christian Worship Today,” April 23, 2019.

Taman Ujong Methodist Church, Seremban, Malaysia, Easter Sermon, April 21, 2019.

Wesley Methodist Church and Taman Ujong Methodist Church, Seremban, Malaysia: Good Friday Sermon, April 19, 2019.

Wesley Methodist Church and Taman Ujong Methodist Church, Seremban, Malaysia: Maundy Thursday Sermon, April 18, 2019.

Virginia LARCUM Conference, Charlottesville, VA, Series on “Praying, Believing, Doing: An Ecumenism of Liturgy and Life”; Three lectures: “Praying, Believing, Doing: Points of Connection and Commonality,” “Praying, Believing, Doing: Worship Together and Apart,” “Praying, Believing, Doing: Singing in Common,” November 30-December 1, 2018.

Worship Book (Handbok) Committee, Uniting Church of Sweden (Equmeniakyrkan), Alvik, Sweden: Invited consultant, February 2, 2017.

West University United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas: Two Sunday sermons, September 4, 2016.

Juan Presbyterian Church, Seoul, South Korea: Sunday sermon, May 8, 2016.

Ansan Presbyterian Church, Ansan, South Korea: Three Sunday sermons, May 8, 2016.

Diocese of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Ecumenical Workshop for Clergy: “One Baptism: Toward Mutual Recognition,” January 19, 2015.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ecumenical Service, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Sermon, January 18, 2015.

Diocese of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Ecumenical Workshop with Parish Ecumenists and Musicians: “With One Voice: Prayer, Song, and Christian Unity,” January 17, 2015.

New North Church, Hingham, MA, Series on “Experiencing God through Music”: Presentation on “Words in Hymns,” October 8, 2014.

Melrose United Methodist Church, Melrose, MA: Lecture on “Spiritual Reflection: Resources for Lent from John and Charles Wesley,” March 24, 2014.

Episcopal Church USA Diocese of Ohio, Calvin Institute Worship Renewal Grant Workshop, Oberlin, Ohio: Full-day session on “Worship: Encountering God Beyond Church Walls,” November 16, 2013.

National Workshop on Christian Unity, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Plenary Panel on “Vatican II at 50,” April 17, 2012.

United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training (UMEIT) Workshop, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Half-day session on “Principles for Designing Ecumenical Worship,” April 16, 2012.

New Bern District Continuing Education for Clergy (North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church), Morehead City, North Carolina: Three events: “Considering General Conference 2012,” “‘Culturally-Relevant’ Worship?,” “Sacraments in the United Methodist Church: Past, Present and Future,” March 23-24, 2012.

Lamoine River District Clergy Retreat (Illinois Great Rivers Conference, United Methodist Church), Quincy, Illinois: “Wesleyan Eucharistic Theology and Practices,” April 4, 2011.

Sermon for Memorial Service, Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, Peoria, Illinois, June 2, 2010.

Lamoine River District Clergy Retreat (Illinois Great Rivers Conference, United Methodist Church), Timewell, Illinois: “Preparing for the Triduum,” March 8, 2010.

Worship Leadership and Design

Conference on Receptive Ecumenism, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT: Liturgy Design and Eucharistic Celebrant, June 12, 2014.

General Assembly, National Council of Churches, New Orleans, LA: Coordinator of Worship, November 9-11, 2010.

World Methodist Conference, Seoul, Korea: Coordinator of Worship, July 20-24, 2006.

World Methodist Conference, Brighton, England: Coordinator of Worship, July 23-31, 2001.

Tenth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies, Somerville College, Oxford: Co-coordinator of Worship, August 12-22, 1997.

World Ecumenical Conference, “Sanctification in the Benedictine and Methodist Traditions,” Rome, Italy: Co-coordinator of Worship, July 4-10, 1994.

Ninth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies, Somerville College, Oxford: Chaplain/Co-coordinator of Worship, July 28-August 7, 1992.

Ecumenical Engagement

Member of the World Methodist Council delegation to “The Feast of Creation and the Mystery of Creation” ecumenical and international seminar, Assisi, Italy, March 15-16, 2024; panel paper on “World Day of Prayer or Liturgical Feast?”.

Member of United Methodist delegation, Churches Uniting in Christ Plenary, Philadelphia, PA, June 8-10, 2023.

Member, Notre Dame Consultation on the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (representatives from the Anglican Communion, Lutheran World Federation, Roman Catholic Church, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Methodist Council), South Bend, Indiana, March 26-28, 2019.

Member, Consultation on “The Once and Future Prayer Book,” Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia, May 31-June 3, 2017.

Co-Secretary, World Methodist Council and Roman Catholic Church International Bilateral Dialogue, 2011-2021.

Member, United Methodist Church and Roman Catholic Church National Bilateral Dialogue, 2008-2011, 2015-2018.

Member, Colloquium on the Holy Spirit, “The Holy Spirit in the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom,” Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, March 23-24, 2007.

Member, World Methodist Council and Roman Catholic Church International Bilateral Dialogue, 2006-2011.

Member, Final Editorial Group, “Mutual Recognition of Baptism,” Commission on Faith and Order, World Council of Churches, 2006-2007.

Consultation and Drafting Group on the “Mutual Recognition of Baptism,” Commission on Faith and Order, World Council of Churches, Cartigny, Switzerland, November 6-10, 2006.

Symposium on Orthodox and Wesleyan Spirituality, “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: Ecclesiology and the Gathered Church,” sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, New York, January 8-13, 2006.

Symposium on “Orthodox and Wesleyan Spirituality: Holy Scripture in the Orthodox and Wesleyan Traditions,” sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Orthodox Spiritual Academy, Crete, August 1-7, 2002.

Consultation/Working Group on Ecumenical Worship, Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland: Invited participant, March 6-10, 2002.

Consultation on “Sacraments and Sacramentality,” Commission on Faith and Order, World Council of Churches, Faverges, Haute Savoie, France: Invited colloquium participant, “The Sacramental Dimensions of Baptism: Ecumenical Explorations,” October 5-12, 2001.

Symposium on “Orthodox and Wesleyan Spirituality: Worship and Devotional Life,” sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Bristol, England, July 16-20, 2000.

Consultation on “Sacraments and Sacramentality,” Commission on Faith and Order, World Council of Churches, Prague, Czech Republic: Invited colloquium participant, “The Sacramental Dimensions of Baptism: Ecumenical Explorations,” May 29-June 4, 2000.

Ministerial Certification

• 1981: Ordained Elder, Full Connection, Illinois Great Rivers (Central Illinois) Conference, United
• Methodist Church
• 1978: Ordained Deacon, Probationary Member, Baltimore Conference, United Methodist Church

Church Relationship and Service (2010 – present)

• 2017-2019: Member, United Methodist Church Hymnal Revision Committee
• 2015-2020: Member, United Methodist Church and Roman Catholic Church National Bilateral Dialogue
• 2013: Member, Task Force to Study Online Communion, General Board of Higher Education and
• Ministry
• 2013-2018: Member, Institute Committee, Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies
• 2012-2013: Co-chairperson, Practical Theology Working Group, Thirteenth Oxford Institute of
• Methodist Theological Studies (Christ Church, Oxford, England, August 2013).
• 2008-2011: Member, United Methodist Church and Roman Catholic Church National Bilateral Dialogue
• 2006-2021: Member, World Methodist Council and Roman Catholic Church International Bilateral
• Dialogue
• 1996- : Member, World Methodist Council

Professional Music Experience

• 2016- : Substitute Organist, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish, Milford, MA
• 2014- : Substitute Organist, First Parish, United Church, Westwood, MA
• 2014- : Substitute Organist, Federated Church of Norfolk, Norfolk, MA