Brain Based Worship

A new understanding of learning based on the findings of neuroscience can propel the teaching ministry of the Church to new levels of effectiveness. Neuroscience is offering fresh insight into how humans learn. The resulting teaching paradigmbrain-based learningis plotting a fresh model for teaching that is proving to make teaching more memorable, more applicable, and more likely to result in changed thought and behavior. It is also refusing to relegate learning to the brain as it re-enlists the human body as an instrument of learning. Entrusted with the teaching ministry of Jesus, no one needs to employ brain-based teaching methodology more than those who teach Christ crucified, yet in the course of our prime teaching time, the worship service, we often violate every guideline. This book is written to educate and empower those who plan worship to understand and use brain-based teaching strategies. Paula Champion-Jones is a triple threat. She has been designing creative worship services for years, she has an enormous heart to see Gods church succeed, and now she has the neuroscience to back up how shes invested her own creative gifts. You cannot go wrong by reading this book. It will open your eyes, give you new ideas, make you rethink stuff that needs rethinking...in short, it will teach the most experienced pastors and the most jaded churchgoers to see worship planning in an inspiring new way. I cant wait to assign it to students in my worship class! Laura K. Simmons, Professor of Christian Ministries, George Fox Seminary

Historically, it has been believed that Christian formation occurs primarily in the context of worship. Because both traditional and contemporary worship services are routinely structured around the skills of persuasive rhetoric and logic, most worship services effectively ignore the impact of experiential, embodied knowledge. Recent research in neuroscience has proven that humans are sensory-motor-emotional-thinking beings who learn best when body, brain, and emotions are simultaneously engaged. A fresh paradigm for teaching, brain-based leaning, is proving to result in learning that is more memorable, more likely to result in long-term change in the behavior of the learner, and more likely to spur the learner to investigate the subject further. The Church needs to employ brain-based teaching methods in order to more effectively transmit the Gospel.

In this book, Christopher D. Rodkey asks how the brain worships and responds by engaging ideas from neurological science, philosophy, ritual theory, and religious education. From this exploration, two new paradigms for pastoral ministry emerge. First, Rodkey proposes a “pan-generational” principle, advocating an empathy-based approach for fostering faith communities, a principle that is radically inclusive to all generations. Second, Rodkey argues that worship and religious education should converge to include a shared goal of teaching individuals to “live liturgically.” In The Synaptic Gospel, Rodkey argues that living and thinking liturgically are learned behaviors that may be promoted through pan-generational worship. The book concludes with a special emphasis on practical suggestions for youth ministry. The Synaptic Gospel will prove to be a useful theoretical tool for pastors, religious educators, youth ministers, church music professionals, and seminary students.

Worship leading is a great privilege and challenge. It is great to be able to point people to God through Worship. Learn to grow in your singing, playing and leading. Learn to hear God's Spirit as you lead. Be passionate in your love-relationship with God, and for the people in your Worship team and congregation.

"A wonderful antidote to the gene hysteria that is now so dominant! . . . What is most exciting about this book is the authors' ability to move seamlessly from research on how the brain works, to sociology, history, and philosophy. And that, I believe, is exactly how we need to understand gender--neither nature nor nurture, but a complex interplay." - Dr. Lynda Birke, author of Feminism and the Biological Body This work moves beyond the old nature/nurture debate concerning what makes us who we are to present a new understanding of gender and sexuality. Since the mapping of the human genome there has been widespread coverage of scientific discoveries in the offing, and of the host of human problems to be solved through gene therapy, from physical defects to mental disease and even so-called 'undesirable' behavior. As biologists with expertise in neuroscience, ethology, psychology, sociology and human ethos, Kaplan and Rogers are uniquely situated to evaluate the claims of their colleagues concerning the knowledge to be gained through the study of our biological make-up. They caution against the seductive belief that, once we understand our biological constitution, it is but a short step to complete mastery of human nature. Furthermore, they show that this belief is yet another example of how science can be subverted to defend the claims of the ruling ideology.

The ever-provocative author and presenter Bob sitze explores the question: What does the human brain have to do with the beliefs, practices, and structures of congregations? Weaving together clear, accessible explanations about the workings of the human brain. Sitze shows how a congregation's identity and behaviors are shaped by the work of individual members' brains as well as "the collected brain" of the congregation. Study groups will enjoy the "Big Question" Sitze asks throughout the book, as well as the discussion questions and follow-up activities included at the end of each chapter.

Have you ever had an experience where you felt particularly aware of God? If God is real, and we are created in God's image, then it makes sense that our minds and bodies would be designed with the perceptive ability to sense and experience God. Scientists are now discovering ways that our bodies are designed to connect with God. Brain research shows that our brain systems are wired to enable us to have spiritual experiences. The spiritual circuits that are used in prayer or worship are also involved in developing compassion for others. Our bodies have actually been created to love God and serve our neighbors. Award-winning journalist Rob Moll chronicles the fascinating ways in which our brains and bodies interact with God and spiritual realities. He reports on neuroscience findings that show how our brains actually change and adapt when engaged in spiritual practices. We live longer, healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives when we cultivate the biological spiritual capacity that puts us in touch with God. God has created our bodies to fulfill the Great Commandment; we are hardwired to commune with God and to have compassion and community with other people. Moll explores the neuroscience of prayer, how liturgy helps us worship, why loving God causes us to love others, and how a life of love and service leads to the abundant life for which we were created. Just as our physical bodies require exercise to stay healthy, so too can spiritual exercises and practices revitalize our awareness of God. Heighten your spiritual senses and discover how you have been designed for physical and spiritual flourishing.