by John Chase

When I asked for a copy of Mark Labberton’s book, the person behind the counter responded, “Okay, let’s see, The Dangerous Act of Warship”—A slip that would have tickled the good Doctor Freud to no end.

The so-called “worship wars” have certainly solicited attention over the years, but this is not another book about “contemporary vs. traditional.” It’s about justice—waking up to the purposes of God, enacted through love for our local and global neighbors. A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and the University of Cambridge, England (Ph.D), Mark Labberton now serves as the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkley, and is a senior fellow of International Justice Mission.

On Saturday , February 14, Presbyterian churches throughout Olympia and the Puget Sound region are hosting Mark for Saturday workshops on worship and justice at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. He will preach at Bethany on Sunday morning, February 15, and will available for a Q & A session after the second service. Please RSVP to Lynne Blessing (lynneb@bethanypc.org) so that we can plan appropriately.

In his book, The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice, Labberton invites us to revisit God’s prophetic call to the church to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). It is a call to the church to wake up to God’s purposes in the world, believing that “out of worship should come a church that seeks and embodies the justice that’s needed in the world.” This includes justice for the poor, the forgotten and the oppressed.

In anticipation of Labberton’s visit, all are invited to read The Dangerous Act of Worship. Join us for a discussion of the book at our next Read Good Books session, as we seek to discern God’s call to our Bethany community in the areas of justice, kindness, and humility. Read Good Books is a regularly scheduled opportunity for conversation around books that speak to, and provoke, issues of faith and culture.

This Read Good Books discussion will be held on Sunday, February 8, in the Fellowship Hall, immediately following the second morning service. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Watch for more Read Good Books in 2009. We hope to see you there.

(8 copies of the book are on hold at Queen Anne Books for around $17)