Queering Christian Worship - by Bryan Cones

About the Book

A groundbreaking collection of writings that place queer ritual at the center of the theological conversation.

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking collection of writings that place queer ritual at the center of the theological conversation.

In this collection of essays, leading scholars in queer theology and liturgical studies explore the ways in which the distinctive theological voices of LGBTQIA+ Christians challenge and expand thinking and practice around worship in new directions. This challenge has expanded in the past decades, as obstacles to the full participation of queer Christians-particularly in marriage and ordination-have fallen.

Organized into three main parts, the volume begins with an introduction to queer engagement with ritual practices, continues with a series of case studies that examine queer texts and contexts, and concludes with an examination of the horizons of queer liturgical theology and practice. Throughout the volume, Queering Christian Worship provides new imagination and tools to those who study and curate Christian worship across traditions.

Review Quotes

"Queering Christian Worship brings the reader into a busy intersection of methods and perspectives on ways that the experience of LGBTQIA2S+ Christians has yet to find a hospitable space within Christian worship. It also proposes how the lives of LGBTQIA2S+ Christians can offer a prophetic critique of current liturgical practice, and it maps out pathways leading to a more authentic Christian worship that includes all the members of the Body of Christ. The writers of this volume do not necessarily agree among themselves, and the reader may not agree with every claim made here. However, listening to these voices with respect and openness can lead to greater coherence between a lex credendi, which embodies the expansive and inclusive embrace of Jesus, and the lex orandi of Christian churches."

"Queering Christian Worship is an invitation to embrace queerness in Christian worship, to celebrate the gift of the incarnation, and the joy of participating in God's radical polyamorous love, embracing plurality, and calling on us to care for one another and for the planet."

"Delightfully queer ways to worship come to light in this bold and illuminating collection of essays by leading scholars. They amplify the distinctive voices of LGBTQIA2S+ Christians who are transforming traditional liturgical practices, including preaching, sacraments, and music. The three-part book examines the growing impact of queer viewpoints on church rituals, provides case studies, and looks ahead at potential futures. Thoughtful reflections explore controversies that arose when more inclusive worship methods were introduced. Readers will be blessed by visions of worship that affirms queer experiences at the sacred intersection of faith and identity."