On 24 Apr 2018, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey A. Truscott, Chaplain and Lecturer in Liturgy and Worship at TTC, launched his new book Twelve Whys of Worship.

This new book sets out in twelve concise chapters and 146 pages the purpose and importance of each component in our worship services, including: call to worship, singing, confessing sins, reading Scriptures, preaching, professing the creeds, praying for others, sharing the peace, offering, the Lord’s Supper, benediction and dismissal.

The book aims to return us to the centuries-old traditions of the Church in establishing God’s revelation and work “through Word and sacrament for the transformation of worshippers”. This is an apt reminder, as the temptation to trivialize and omit essential elements of our worship forms for individual preferences is very real.

When asked how this book came about, Dr Truscott acknowledged his TTC colleagues, Rev. Dr. Mark Chan and Rev. Dr. Wilfred Ho, in inspiring him with the idea to inform laypersons, in clear and simple language, as to why we worship the way we do.

In helping the church understand the significance of different liturgical practices, Dr. Truscott also revealed that his next book would be on why we should even embrace the basic concept of ritual in worship—a much-needed apologetic that we keenly look forward to.

By Daniel Lee (MDiv, 1st Year)