Joseph Lear
Pastor. Theologian.
Author. Speaker.
new book
new book
The church in the United States is in decline. I have a lot to say about our predicament because in 2016 I came to a church in Iowa City, IA that was about to close its doors permanently. It needed revitalization. The church is now flourishing in ways no one anticipated, and I’ve written a book about all of it.
Resurrecting Worship is a Pentecostal-style testimony: I give glory to God for the miracle he worked in and for and through us. The story is interwoven with miracles small and big, along with a good dose of theological reflection on what it means to be the church. (Spoiler alert: I think all churches should be Pentecostal, but you gotta read the book to understand what I mean by that). There’s also some incredible stories of prophetic justice, of jubilee, and of welcoming the stranger.
Praise for Resurrecting Worship
“I am glad that Joseph has written this book and that he is publishing it now. We need it, more than ever.”
—Chris EW Green, professor, public theology, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida, from the foreword
“Worship is our response to all that God is, says, and does. Even though the generations may respond differently, it is not how we worship but whom we worship. Joseph Lear has a deep conviction to see the practice of biblical worship be a catalyst for spiritual growth.”
—Doug Clay, general superintendent, Assemblies of God
“Joseph’s commitment to scholarship and Pentecostal worship redefined is clear in his writing. Drawing from his work in Iowa, he masterfully weaves in the experiences there and offers considerations for the broader church. In our tradition, there is a broad spectrum of expressions, and he unpacks thoughtful insights that are sincere and reveal his dedication to leading an authentic Spirit-filled community at the grass roots. His treatment of Pentecostal worship is both insightful and gracious. By emphasizing the centrality of Scripture, the significance of prophetic preaching, and the role of communal worship, he offers a perspective on worship that will deepen the readers knowledge of ecclesiology—all intended to strengthen the local church.”
—Mike Rakes, president, Evangel University
“This book is the testimony of a Pentecostal pastor who worked hard to revitalize the worship of his congregation and, in the process, resuscitated a dying church. Lear writes to other Pentecostals to demonstrate how a church’s worship shapes the quality of their discipleship. Some may be uncomfortable with his testimony as it includes historic Christian practices rarely seen in Pentecostal gatherings. You do not have to embrace all his recommendations to appreciate his approach. Lear takes seriously the worship of the church as a faithful response to the full gospel of Jesus under the direction of the Holy Spirit. What could be more Pentecostal than that?”
—D. Allen Tennison, theological counsel, National Office of the Assemblies of God
“In Resurrecting Worship, Joseph Lear takes us on a journey of theological depth and worship innovation that blends the best of Protestant liturgy and Pentecostal tradition. It is the hands-on story of the transformation of a smaller, lower-income, multicultural church into an authentic community of Christ’s followers who serve and love. Read it with an open mind and a hungry heart!”
—James Bradford, lead pastor, Central Assembly of God and former general secretary of the Assemblies of God
“For a world—and a church—addicted to the fast and furious, Joseph Lear reimagines the gathered people of God. Lear interrogates elaborate worship schemes that strive primarily for relevance and effectiveness. He envisions, instead, a church that creates a trinitarian, eucharistic, and Pentecostal liturgy. Lear does not offer yet another ‘how-to’ manual, but he offers a path toward prayer-filled, embodied, and celebratory liturgy. I recommend this book for every Assemblies of God pastor on a quest for a slow burn revival.”
—Martin Mittelstadt, professor of New Testament, Evangel University
“In far too many communities, our churches are failing. Too often the answer is to just begin a new with church planting or multi-site approaches without serious attention to the reasons why a church fails or perhaps what has been neglected by those tasked with supporting congregations. Joseph Lear is a true pastor and theologian. He has never been satisfied with the status quo or the latest in church growth trends. By focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit to revive not only the hearts and minds of individuals, Lear developed a Pentecostal liturgy that expanded the spiritual imagination of a community for more than just themselves. This book is a treasure for pastors who are looking for more than strategies, but for a revival of hearts for the work of God in our communities. This is a must read for all leaders who long for real and sustained revival.”
—Joy E. A. Qualls, associate professor, Division of Communication, and associate dean, School of Fine Arts and Communication, BIOLA University
“Resurrecting Worship tells a story we need to hear—how congregations are revitalized in today’s culture. My approach to leadership in my own local church has been indelibly impacted by Joseph Lear’s reflections. Grounded in the Pentecostal tradition but applicable across Christian denominations, this book offers more than a roadmap for numerical renewal; it invites Christians into a deeper, theologically rich practice of worship. By returning to the essentials of Trinitarian, Eucharistic, and Spirit-led liturgy, the author demonstrates how authentic worship not only sustains faith communities but breathes new life into the mission of the church. This is a profound testimony of how faithful, intentional worship can reawaken the church’s call to justice, compassion, and discipleship, while pointing the way toward a kingdom-oriented future. Church leaders seeking both spiritual depth and practical guidance will find in these pages hope for a slow burning, yet powerful revival.”
—Kevin Hargaden, director of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, Dublin, Ireland
“The dynamic combination of Pentecost and liturgy are on display in Resurrecting Worship. Joseph Lear uses engaging stories and testimonies from a middle-America church to display how we can love God and neighbors with equal passion. If you are ready to see your church and community through a fresh perspective, I invite you to join me in being impacted by this book.”
—David Docusen, author of Neighborliness: Love Like Jesus. Cross Dividing Lines. Transform Your Community.
Joseph Lear is pastor of preaching and theology at Resurrection Assembly of God in Iowa City, IA.
He is also Director of Theology and Global Church Ministries with the College of Online Learning at Evangel University.
Over the last 7 years, he has led the revitalization of an historic church, served as chaplain at the U of Iowa, and partnered 5 church plants across Iowa.
He’s a visionary of Christian higher education, serving as faculty, administrative director, and speaker.
As an advocate for justice, he’s fought for housing rights, court clemency, healthcare access, and refugee rights.
About
Joseph Lear holds a PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity from the University of Aberdeen, an MAR in Christian Ethics from Yale Divinity School, and a BA Biblical Languages from Evangel University.
Joseph is pastor of preaching and theology at Resurrection Assembly of God in Iowa City, IA. He has 15 years of pastoral experience in leading churches, and in kids, youth, and young adult ministry. He’s led continuing education conferences for pastors, revitalized an historic church in the heart of Iowa over a 7-year period, and in that time partnered 5 church plants.
Joseph is a theologian. His expertise is in pastoral theology, New Testament theology and literature, Christian ethics, contemporary theologies of migration and the economy, and eschatology. He’s writes at Pastoral Theology, and has published monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and popular features. He teaches at multiple institutions of higher education, consults on the future of ministerial education, and develops curriculum.
He spent his childhood in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ivory Coast in West Africa. He’s bilingual in French and English, and has preached and taught across the United States, Africa, and Europe.
Expertise
Speaking
Need a someone to talk about church planting and revitalizing? Re-envisioning discipleship? How to read the Bible? Lead a deep dive on biblical and systematic theology for leadership development? Or preach a gospel message?
Consulting
Joseph does individual and group consulting sessions for pastors and church leaders who want to re-think church from the ground up in ways that are historically-informed and biblically-based. Consulting typically takes place over six sessions, but are customizable to client needs.
Personal
Joseph is married to Dr. Holly Lear, who is a Director of Nursing at a skilled nursing facility, a public health advocate, and a musician. They’ve been married 13 years, and do everything together. They have three sons: Lazarus, Barnabas, and Moses.
