The central importance of worship in the life of the church is emphasised in a new book published today by Church House Publishing for the Church of England's Liturgical Commission, under the banner of its Transforming Worship agenda.

"Worship should honour God and, like a newspaper headline, grab people, engage them and change their lives. It should inspire and excite. It is the heart of a church. Worship is the Church's 'headline business'," argues Worship Changes Lives.

The guide urges churches to review their worship so that it reflects the power that lies beyond the words said and sung each week.

In doing so, the book questions the idea promoted by some elements of popular psychology that words can have a subconscious power of their own.

Instead, it suggests that the words and actions of worship - when practiced in fellowship with Christians across the world - are powerful because they reflect God's love and shape worshippers to serve God's mission.

Written on behalf of the Liturgical Commission as part of the Transforming Worship initiative, the 48-page guide aims to stimulate discussion within Parochial Church Councils, worship groups and ministry teams on how worship might be a greater force for change within local communities.

Rooted in real-life practice with accessible text and attractive photography, the guide aims to inspire the whole worshipping community to reflect on 'connecting with the God who, in Jesus, transforms us and the world'.

Worship Changes Lives sets out a series of discussion-starters aimed at the whole Church: "This guide isn't just for clergy or academics or people with a special interest in liturgy and ceremonial. It is for everyone who worships, to help each one look again at what we are doing when we worship God.

"Worship lies at the heart of what and who we are as Christians: it shows God to us and us to God," the editors, the Rev Peter Moger and Professor Paul Bradshaw, state in their introduction.

"This booklet is designed to force a gear shift in thinking within churches about worship, and in particular the importance of Baptism and Holy Communion, and the value of music and daily prayer.

"It's a key part of the vision behind the Transforming Worship initiative, to enhance the Church of England's worship across the whole church."

Areas explored by the guide include:

-How weddings and funerals may be examples of services that change people on many different levels
-How intercessory prayer focuses Christians on God's objectives rather than ours
-How baptism shapes Christian identity and is the hallmark of a mission-focused Church.
-To help churches get the most out of the guide, additional questions and supporting study material are available at www.transformingworship.org.uk

For more on Worship Changes Lives go to www.chpublishing.co.uk