Includes bibliographical references (p. 279-298) and indexes.

From center to spectrum : Praying and singing globally -- The fiesta of the faithful : Pablo Sosa and the contextualization of Latin American hymnody -- Sounds of bamboo : I-to Loh and the development of Asian hymns -- Singing freedom : David Dargie and South African liberation song -- The spirit of Ngoma -- Patrick Matsikenyiri and indigenous song in Zimbabwe -- The Wild Goose sings : John Bell and the music of the Iona Community -- Form and ritual : Sequential and cyclic musical structures and their use in liturgy -- The church musician as enlivener -- Polyrhythmic worship.

In this volume C. Michael Hawn explores the work of five of the most influential global church musicians found in North American hymnals: Pablo Sosa (Argentina), I-to Loh (Taiwan), David Dargie (South Africa), Patrick Matsikenyiri (Zimbabwe), and John Bell (Scotland). Hawn discusses the biographical background of each of these composers and elucidates the meaning of their music within their respective cultures. Having studied global song himself on site throughout the world, Hawn sees this music as a valuable gift from other cultures to our own b7 s sung prayers that can broaden the ways we pray and sing together in corporate worship. His extensive research leads to some intriguing proposals, with Hawn encouraging diverse expressions of worship, endorsing the church musician as a worship b3 senlivener, b4 s and making a case for b3 spolyrhythmic worship b4 s in our churches. A unique resource, Gather into One demonstrates the spiritual riches to be gained through multicultural worship and makes a concrete contribution toward realizing the worldwide unity of the Christian church.