Church at Church: Jean-Jacques von Allmen's Liturgical Ecclesiology

Jean-Jacques von Allmen's work is animated by three key insights: the Church learns and becomes what it truly is when it gathers to worship, worship tells the story of God's salvation history and invites God's people into it, and the church offers the world both a stern warning and a hopeful promise. Ron Rienstra provides an introduction to von Allmen's work, offering methodological and biographical context and exploring his most generative insights concerning the church as it engages in its most foundational activity: worship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd

Jean-Jacques von Allmen's work is a rich tapestry of three key insights that animate his profound understanding of the Church's worship. Firstly, he reveals that the Church both learns and becomes what it truly is when it gathers to worship, for in the act of worship, the Church is united with God and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Secondly, von Allmen emphasizes that worship tells the story of God's salvation history and invites God's people into it, creating a space where they can experience the love and grace of God. Thirdly, von Allmen believes that by engaging in worship, the Church offers the world both a stern warning and a hopeful promise.

While Jean-Jacques von Allmen is among the most admired liturgical theologians of the twentieth century, his work is largely unknown to most worship leaders. In Church at Church, Ron Rienstra provides an invaluable introduction to this important thinker. Rienstra offers methodological and biographical context, providing a foundation for understanding von Allmen's insights. He then delves into von Allmen's most generative insights concerning the Church as it engages in its most foundational activity: worship.

Viewed through the lens of the Nicene marks, Rienstra's exploration yields the outlines of a liturgical ecclesiology, a way to help the Church think more deeply about its identity and to help its leaders shape the worship they prepare and lead today. Von Allmen's work encourages the Church to embrace its rich tradition and to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance as it seeks to worship God in all its fullness.

In conclusion, Jean-Jacques von Allmen's work is a treasure trove of wisdom and insight into the nature of worship. Through his three key insights, von Allmen reveals the Church's true identity, tells the story of God's salvation history, and offers the world both a stern warning and a hopeful promise. Ron Rienstra's introduction in Church at Church provides a valuable resource for worship leaders and scholars alike, helping us to understand von Allmen's work and to apply his insights to our own worship practices.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780227177563