Do You See What I See? Worship, Joint Attention, and Being Human (Cockayne & Salter) Ep. #204

Jun 12, 2025

Join theologian Josh Cockayne and developmental psychologist Gideon Salter as they delve into the profound nature of communal worship. They discuss how we are neurologically wired for joint attention and why gathering together is not just a ritual but a crucial aspect of understanding God. From the behavior of infants to the significance of liturgical practices, they challenge the idea of individuality in faith, emphasizing that worship is an embodied, social necessity that enriches our connection with each other and the divine.

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INSIGHT

Joint Attention Defined

Joint attention is when two people notice something together and are mutually aware of sharing that experience.
It develops in infants around six months and is foundational to how we learn and relate to the world and others.

INSIGHT

Joint Attention Shapes Knowing

Joint attention is a fundamental developmental skill that scaffolds learning and social interaction from infancy throughout life.
Sharing experiences with others shapes how we know God, ourselves, and the world.

INSIGHT

Communion as Joint Attention

Communion is a powerful moment of joint attention where the worship leader and congregation focus together on Christ’s body and blood.
This intense shared focus embodies the communal nature of worship and gathering.

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Is church just a place to think about God—or are we wired to worship together? In this groundbreaking episode, theologian Dr. Josh Cockayne and developmental psychologist Dr. Gideon Salter join Dru Johnson to explore how human beings are made for joint attention, and why gathering for worship is a deeply embodied, social necessity.

Drawing from their book Why We Gather, the conversation unfolds how infants develop the skill of “joint attention”—the ability to notice something with someone else—and how this same capacity is essential to biblical worship, from Genesis to Revelation. They argue that worship isn’t merely cognitive or emotional—it’s communal, embodied, and neurologically formative. Togetherness isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of how we know God and the world.

From communion rituals and infant behavior to liturgical design and online church, the episode provides a practical, psychologically grounded, and theologically rich vision of church that challenges both individualism and shallow expressions of “community.”

For their book "Why We Gather," see the publisher's website here:

https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481322911/why-we-gather/

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Worship and Individual Experience
02:59 The Role of the Body in Worship
06:02 Joint Attention and Its Importance
09:20 The Collaboration Between Psychology and Theology
12:12 Understanding Joint Attention in Worship
15:17 The Impact of Joint Attention on Community Worship
18:05 Liturgy and Joint Attention in Practice
21:09 Theological Implications of Joint Attention
24:04 Cultural Jointness and Worship
27:06 Conclusion and Reflections on Worship
27:42 Children's Participation in Church
28:42 Exploring Joint Attention in Liturgical Settings
30:57 The Role of Community in Worship
32:36 Understanding Jointness and Joint Attention
35:12 The Dynamics of Participation in Worship
36:18 Theological Perspectives on Joint Attention
38:12 The Biological and Social Aspects of Gathering
41:44 Critiques of Theoretical Frameworks in Worship