Sandra Maria Van Opstal – författare

Christianity Today''s Book of the Year Award of MeritWhat happens when a diverse church glorifies the global God?We live in a time of unprecedented intercultural exchange, where our communities welcome people from around the world. Music and media from every culture are easily accessible, and our worship is infused with a rich variety of musical and liturgical influences. But leading worship in multicultural contexts can be a crosscultural experience for everybody. How do we help our congregations navigate the journey?Innovative worship leader Sandra Maria Van Opstal is known for crafting worship that embodies the global, multiethnic body of Christ. Likening diverse worship to a sumptuous banquet, she shows how worship leaders can set the table and welcome worshipers from every tribe and tongue. Van Opstal provides biblical foundations for multiethnic worship, with practical tools and resources for planning services that reflect God''s invitation for all peoples to praise him.When multiethnic worship is done well, the church models reconciliation and prophetic justice, heralding God''s good news for the world. Enter into the praise of our king, and let the nations rejoice!

What is it like to be an Enneagram Eight?"Fósforito! The explosion happened so quickly there was no stopping it. My mother called me ''tiny match'' when she would see this fire exploding from me." This is how Latina pastor, activist, and worship leader, Sandra Maria Van Opstal, describes her experience as an Eight. There came a point in her life when she saw how her fiery explosions were undermining her leadership. A wise spiritual director helped her discover how the Enneagram could reveal more about both her gifts and her weaknesses. Sandra offers insight from her ethnic journey alongside Enneagram wisdom. Each of these forty readings concludes with an opportunity for further engagement such as a journaling prompt, reflection questions, a written prayer, or a spiritual practice.Any of us can find aspects of ourselves in any of the numbers. The Enneagram is a profound tool for empathy, so whether or not you are an Eight, you will grow from your reading about Eights and enhance your relationships across the Enneagram spectrum.

Christianity Today''s Book of the Year Award of MeritWhat happens when a diverse church glorifies the global God?We live in a time of unprecedented intercultural exchange, where our communities welcome people from around the world. Music and media from every culture are easily accessible, and our worship is infused with a rich variety of musical and liturgical influences. But leading worship in multicultural contexts can be a crosscultural experience for everybody. How do we help our congregations navigate the journey?Innovative worship leader Sandra Maria Van Opstal is known for crafting worship that embodies the global, multiethnic body of Christ. Likening diverse worship to a sumptuous banquet, she shows how worship leaders can set the table and welcome worshipers from every tribe and tongue. Van Opstal provides biblical foundations for multiethnic worship, with practical tools and resources for planning services that reflect God''s invitation for all peoples to praise him.When multiethnic worship is done well, the church models reconciliation and prophetic justice, heralding God''s good news for the world. Enter into the praise of our king, and let the nations rejoice!

Our destiny, Scripture reveals, is worshiping together as the multiethnic, multilingual, multinational family of God. Our worship here on earth should reflect, point to, and prepare for that ultimate experience.In these five studies, Sandra Maria Van Opstal dives into biblical perspectives on worship that shaped her groundbreaking book The Next Worship. Focusing on key passages throughout the New Testament, she invites readers to consider how worship relates to diversity, reconciliation, hospitality, unity, and more.As companions to the IVP Signature Collection, IVP Signature Bible Studies help individuals and groups explore and apply biblical truths found in classic books. Each session features quotations from The Next Worship matched with Scripture passages, reflection questions, and application ideas that will equip readers to connect the text to their own lives. A leader''s guide is also included.