Music, Worship and Identity in the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe: A Study of Sound, Faith Expression and Cultural Forma, (Paperback)

Music, Worship, and Identity in the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe provides the first in-depth study of music worship within this community. Drawing on history, biblical theology, ethnomusicology, and lived congregational experience, it explores how unaccompanied singing functions in worship, teaching, identity formation, and cultural expression. Through detailed analysis of hymnody, musical leadership, African vocal practices, and intergenerational transmission, the book challenges the idea that a cappella worship is culturally restrictive or musically limited. Instead, it highlights a vibrant tradition in which African musical sensibilities-harmony, participation, call-and-response, and communal discipline-are vividly expressed through the human voice. The book also examines contemporary challenges faced by Church of Christ congregations, including youth engagement, globalization, technology, and ongoing debates about worship practices. Using case studies from urban and rural settings, it demonstrates how Zimbabwean congregations balance continuity and change while staying faithful to New Testament principles. Written in clear, accessible language, this volume is an essential resource for scholars of African Christianity, theology and worship studies, ethnomusicology, and music education, as well as ministers, song leaders, and church members seeking a deeper understanding of worship through song. This book affirms that in the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, singing is not simply music-it is faith made audible.

• Music, Worship and Identity in the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe: A Study of Sound, Faith Expression and Cultural Forma, (Paperback)
• Author: Eliva Press
• ISBN: 9789999336277
• Format: Paperback
• Publication Date: 2026-01-01
• Page Count: 50