Mark Pierson is a strikingly original thinker and practitioner whose influence on alternative worship and emerging church forms has spread worldwide. Whatever our church tradition – liturgical, evangelical, charismatic or alternative, Mark’s challenge is clear: tired patterns of worship do not engage with people beyond the regular congregation (and sometimes not even with them). The last place that many genuine spiritual seekers would try is church. He shows a way of thinking about and practicing worship where real connection with God can happen. The idea of ‘curating’ rather than leading worship invites a potentially huge mind shift about worship practice. Leading worship is not about staying in control of content or delivery, but about exploring creatively the riches of our traditions, the arts, our buildings, music and language to offer worship that better reflects the glory of God. This inspiring, practical book raises the bar in terms of what we expect from worship and then gives us the courage, vision and resources to bring it about.

Curation is a term usually used in the art world for the role of imagining and overseeing an exhibition or art experience. However the word is now being adopted by people in alternative worship, as it affords a very different and inventive way of thinking about how to lead a service or praise event. Rather than simply presiding over liturgy or fronting a band, curation involves negotiating between institutions and artists and making do with what is to hand to create something brilliant. The hope is that moments of epiphany will be experienced as God is invited to be and breathe in the space, and people make connections with their own lives and stories. Curating Worship is in two parts. The first considers the kind of thinking, skills and disciplines involved in good curation. The second consists of in depth interviews, which tease out from people who have curated amazing worship experiences around the world, the ideas and theories behind their approaches and the practical processes involved.

In 'Curating Consciousness', Marcia Brennan focuses on one of the transformational figures of 20th century curatorial culture, and the main protagonist of this (until now) unacknowledged curatorial practice.

Julian Stallabrass discusses the exhibition he curatored for Tate Britain "Art and money online". Matthew Gansallo discusses his work commissioning and curating artists for Tate Website.