An Ancient Worship Movement: Q&A with Greg Gordon + Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: An Ancient Worship Movement

Author: Greg Gordon, St. Thomas Church

Genre: Christianity

Release Date: December 1, 2025

Find an Ancient Faith that will Transform Your Life.

Beyond the noise of a busy western world lies the need to worship God for Himself alone. So many different denominational ideologies and techniques of Church growth exist but what did the early Apostles and believers do? There is a need for “An Ancient Worship Movement” where we rediscover and implement older Biblical Church practices that were pre-denominational.

This book will help you:

- Rediscover Ancient practices lost to many evangelicals

- Renew your intimate personal walk with God

- Renew A passion for lost souls

- Experience personal spiritual revival

- Be equipped to start an [Mission] House Church

”The Ancient Worship Movement is not just a book but literally an invitation to a vibrant movement of God’s Spirit in our day. This book is a clarion call to the Western Church to point back to Jesus as the centre of the gathering of His people.” – Steve M.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Greg Gordon is the founder of SermonIndex.net, which was established in 2002. Millions of audio sermons have been distributed through this world-wide ministry. He is also the author of “The Following of Christ” and other books. Greg has traveled to many countries and across North America to thousands of churches and ministries bringing a message of radical Christian discipleship. He has also been involved in organizing over 12 international historic revival conference events where thousands of lives were impacted

 

 

More from the Authors

Why An Ancient Worship Movement? 10 Reasons from the Early Church Fathers

As the author of An Ancient Worship Movement, and founder of St. Thomas Church I’ve spent years reflecting on the wisdom of the early Church Fathers—those giants of faith like Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Augustine who shaped Christianity in its purest days. Their writings reveal a worship so vibrant and real that it pierces through the noise of our modern age. Here are 10 reasons, drawn from their own words, why we desperately need a new ancient expression of worship today.

1. To Reclaim Worship as a Way of Life

Clement of Rome taught us, “Let us cleave to righteousness, for our whole life is a sacrifice to God.” The Fathers didn’t see worship as a Sunday event but as a constant offering. Today, we’ve boxed it into schedules and stages—don’t we need to live it again, every moment?

1. To Restore the Power of Prayer

Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “Pray without ceasing, for it is the breath of the Church.” Prayer wasn’t optional for the early believers; it was their lifeline to God. Our distracted, prayerless culture needs this ancient pattern to reconnect with the triune God.

1. To Center on the Eucharist’s Mystery

Justin Martyr said, “This food we call Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake except one who believes.” The Fathers revered the Lord’s Supper as a sacred encounter, not a ritual. Shouldn’t we strip away our casualness and rediscover its awe?

1. To Embrace Simplicity Over Spectacle

Tertullian observed, “We assemble in homes.” The early church thrived without megachurches or light shows. Today’s obsession with production values begs for a return to that humble, uncluttered faith.

1. To Rekindle Evangelistic Zeal

Irenaeus declared, “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to some, but to us the power of God.” For the Fathers, sharing the gospel was worship itself. In a world numb to truth, don’t we need their bold witness to awaken souls?

1. To Foster True Community

The Didache instructs, “Share all things with your brother, for you are one in Christ.” The Fathers lived as a family, not a crowd. Our isolated, individualistic churches need this ancient bond in the unity of the Church.

1. To Confront Modern Drift

Cyprian warned, “He who departs from the unity of the Church departs from Christ.” The Fathers fought heresy and complacency with fierce clarity. Today’s watered-down faith needs their courage to call us back to the real Jesus.

1. To Ignite Personal Revival

Basil the Great prayed, “Kindle in us the fire of Your love, O Lord.” The Fathers knew revival starts in one heart. In our spiritually tepid age, don’t we need their passion to set us ablaze again?

1. To Ground Us in Practical Faith

Polycarp urged, “Stand firm in the faith, doing all things in love.” The Fathers gave us hands-on ways to live worship—prayers, fasting, service. Shouldn’t we trade theory for their tangible practices to anchor our restless lives?

1. To Dream of a Renewed Church

Augustine envisioned, “A people praising You, O God, from every corner of the earth.” The Fathers saw worship as a movement that could transform the world. Today, with faith fading, don’t we need their ancient hope to spark a new awakening?

These voices from the past aren’t relics—they’re a roadmap. The early Church Fathers show us worship that’s raw, relational, and rooted in Christ. As you consider to explore the book, An Ancient Worship Movement, I pray something of the genuine early faith of the Apostles illuminates your heart afresh to truth and reality. Jesus the Son of God is coming back soon may we be found doing His will, working with His Church and loving Him with First Love devotion.

Here are some summarized points from current reviews from the book:

”Thoughtfully explores Christian theology, delving into worship’s multifaceted nature—actions, evangelism, prayer, and communion.”

”Guides readers toward emulating the authentic roots of early Christian faith with a balanced, constructive critique.”

”Sets a spiritual tone from the start with an opening prayer that centers on Christ, not the author.”

”Offers fascinating insights into early church communion practices, making history vivid and relevant.”

”Strikes a compelling balance between theological depth and accessibility, especially in its practical prayer section.”

”Inspires personal spiritual revival with actionable guidance for deepening faith.”

”Critiques modern church drift thoughtfully, avoiding harsh judgment, and invites reflection.”

”Valuable for house church enthusiasts and believers seeking intimate worship renewal.”

”Provides a profound invitation to rediscover authentic worship through early church lenses.”

Author Interview

What is the greatest advice you have ever been given about writing?

One piece of advice really stands out to me is to prepare to write a book on a topic, first gather as many books on that certain topic you can and read them all. This fills you with a lot of inspiration and ideas on the topic you are looking to write on. If you spend several weeks or months in this way book writing on that topic will come much easier.

We are a product of others, meaning we should not be afraid to quote or at times paraphrase what we hear. C.H. Spurgeon said if we never quote others we will never be quoted.

Can you share 5 random facts about this book?

1) Integration of Liturgical and Evangelical Practices: I personally transitioned from evangelical house church movements to embracing liturgical worship. This shift is reflected in the book, which seeks to blend the fervor of evangelicalism with the depth of liturgical traditions, aiming to restore early Christian worship practices in modern contexts.

2) Emphasis on Pre-Denominational Christianity: The book advocates for a return to the worship practices of the early Church, prior to denominational divisions. It encourages readers to explore ancient traditions such as the Eucharist, set prayer times, and sacramental living, presenting them as means to deepen one's relationship with God.

3) Practical Guidance for House Churches: Beyond theological discussions, the book offers actionable steps for establishing house churches. It includes detailed appendices with instructions on setting up worship spaces, implementing prayer routines, and fostering community, making it a practical manual for those interested in grassroots church movements.

4) Call to Personal Spiritual Revival: The book emphasizes the need for individual spiritual renewal, urging readers to rekindle their "first love" for Jesus. The book challenges contemporary Christians to move beyond surface-level faith and engage in deeper, more authentic worship experiences. 

5) Accessible to a Broad Audience: While rooted in historical and theological scholarship, the book is written in an accessible style, making it suitable for both lay readers and church leaders. Its balanced approach avoids extremes, offering a thoughtful blend of ancient practices and modern application.

What was the inspiration behind it?

The inspiration behind An Ancient Worship Movement arose from my personal spiritual journey- a profound desire to rediscover the vibrant, Christ-centered faith of the early Church and apply it meaningfully in the modern world.

Witnessing the fragmentation and superficiality in much of contemporary Christianity, I have been stirred to explore the practices and convictions of the early Christians, particularly their focus on sacramental life, liturgical prayer, and communal worship centered on Christ's presence.

This book will change lives, it's not written as simply a reference book. My prayer is that thousands of liturgical house Churches will begin.

Can you share something interesting or surprising you learned while researching for the book?

The birth of the Church taking the synagogue model of worship, which was liturgical, and implementing that into Christian worship.  In some ancient St. Thomas Churches in India there still is a bema seat very similar to ancient synagogue or ancient Church architecture. 

The synagogue bema seat, an elevated platform where the Scriptures were read aloud and expounded in ancient Jewish worship, holds a striking parallel to the central role of the pulpit and lectern in today's liturgical churches.

Just as the bema seat represented a place of reverence for God's Word and a focal point for communal listening, so too do many liturgical churches emphasize the reading of Scripture in the midst of the congregation, often from a similarly raised platform. This visible centrality of God's Word underscores the unbroken tradition of God's people gathering around the Word, with a sense of awe, humility, and readiness to receive divine instruction.

The liturgical use of lectionaries, structured prayers, and responses mirrors the synagogue's ordered worship, reminding modern believers that their worship is rooted in a sacred history stretching back to the worship practices of Israel and carried forward into the life of the Church.

What do you hope readers will take away from the book?

Here are 4 things I hope people will take away from reading An Ancient Worship Movement:

1) The Beauty of Sacramental Living: That Christian faith is more than ideas- it is a way of life that integrates worship, prayer, and daily habits into a sacramental rhythm, shaping us to reflect Christ in every part of life.

2) The Importance of Worship Rooted in History: That we can learn from the practices of the early Church-such as liturgy, set prayers, and the centrality of the Lord's Table- and that these ancient forms can nourish our faith today.

3) The Call to Simplicity and Reverence: That worship is not about entertainment or performance, but about encountering the presence of God in humility, through simple and reverent expressions of faith.

4) The Urgency of Living as a Faithful Community: That we are called not to an isolated, individualistic faith, but to a shared life as the body of Christ- where we bear each other's burdens, encourage one another, and seek to embody the kingdom of God together.

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Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Greg and St. Thomas Church are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of An Ancient Worship Movement and An Ancient Move of God: Book of Acts!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

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