The Modern, Western world is resource-rich. So much so that it can often be overwhelming to know where to start on a subject. Every so often I have worship leaders or pastors reach out asking for recommendations on worship in general or specific aspects of leading worship. Based on the need, there are a handful of books I often recommend, including:
Rhythms of Grace: How The Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel - Mike Cosper
Mike does a great job of defining worship as more than a song, but also the value of sung corporate worship in the gathering of the people of God. This book is dense without being heady or heavy. A few of my favorite quotes: ‘If music is worship, then when you mess with someone’s musical preferences, you threaten their access to God. No wonder the debates become so heated.’
‘In one sense, worship can be thought of as a three-way conversation: God to us, us to God, us to one another. It can also be thought of as a vertical and horizontal conversation: vertical to God, horizontal to one another. But it’s unquestionably a conversation that God initiates. When we gather and begin the conversation, we need to make it clear that God was the one who spoke first. This first movement acknowledges that God is holy and that he, our Creator, initiated all of the conversation that ensues.’
Doxology And Theology: How The Gospel Forms the Worship Leader - Matt Boswell
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is that each chapter was contributed by a different worship leader. All of whom are wrestling, learning, and leading as people who lead not just in Doxology (the praise of God), but in Theology (the study of God). A favorite quote from Matt Boswell, editor of Doxology and Theology, is: ‘Since worship leaders are those who lead the people of God in encountering Him in corporate worship, then above all things, we ought to study Him. Therefore, our first pursuit is not to lead worship, but to worship. And as we are set ablaze by God’s truth, we become enabled to lead the people of God in life-transforming worship.’
Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God - Bob Kauflin
Bob is masterful and connecting worship in theology and in practice - while also not being formulaic. This book is helpful in the personal experience, as well as the insight and pastoral heart Kauflin is articulated throughout. Although Worship Matters is a book I think everyone should read front to back, it also works well to pull a chapter here, or a chapter there for group discussions. One of my favorite quotes: ‘Good theology helps us keep music in its proper place. We learn that music isn’t an end in itself but rather a means of expressing the worship already present in our hearts through the new life we’ve received in Jesus Christ.’
Worship Old and New: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Introduction - Robert Webber
C.S. Lewis talks about chronological snobbery, thinking we are far more superior and enlightened than any generation that has gone before. I think this can be true in the world of corporate sung worship as well. Often to our shame we do not know the history of the Church, the history of sung worship, and the practices that have shaped who we are, how we are, and why we do what we do as we gather as the local church. At the end of every chapter, Webber provides a helpful conclusion and summary. Some of my favorite quotes: Anyone who desires to achieve worship renewal must pay attention to the sources and development of Christian worship.
‘The Christ-event is not only central to Christian worship, it also gives meaning to worship. Worship is not a mere memory or a matter of looking back to a historic event (that is an Enlightenment notion). Rather, worship is the action that brings the Christ-event into the experience of the community gathered in the name of Jesus.’
What books have shaped your understanding of worship?