Alan Rathe earned his PhD in Liturgical Studies from Drew University (Madison, New Jersey, USA). The recipient of numerous academic awards, he has taught seminary worship studies for the past decade, currently at Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, KY). During that time he has also served as worship pastor for a multicultural, evangelical urban church in Flushing, New York. He seeks to bridge his training in ecumenical liturgical scholarship with his extensive practical experience with evangelical worship. More specifically, his ministry and teaching, combined with a lively background in music and theater, have spurred him on to a deep interest in (and scholarly focus upon) the theory and practice of participation.