“John Chrysostom Preaching in Constantinople,” by Ambrose DudleyWhether or not a worship leader is a recognized and “formal” pastor in their local context, worship leaders, by virtue of what they do, perform and fulfill a pastoral function. In other words, planning and leading worship is intrinsically pastoral. Whether you like it or not, if you are a worship leader, people are spiritually formed (for good or ill) by the content and form of the worship services you craft and lead. … Read More
New Liturgy Site a Sign of the Times for Evangelical Worship
Over the years, I’ve attempted to catalogue and explore the shifts that we’re observing taking place in mainstream evangelical worship. Many of these shifts, in my opinion, are in the right direction, and encouraging them has been one of the chief aims of this blog since its inception in 2009. Those of us who have been in the contemporary worship biz for a while are probably aware of one of the leading sites to provide music and resources for worship … Read More
The Most Thorough Worship Bibliography Out There
Dr. Mark Torgerson over at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies has done a valuable service to the world by providing the most comprehensive bibliography of worship materials that I’ve ever seen. Updated just this month, it’s all wrapped up in one PDF and has a detailed and organized table of contents. Best yet, it’s annotated, which means it doesn’t just give you the references but explains the thrust book in a sentence or two. If it weren’t … Read More
A Couple of Lent Albums Worth Sharing
Just in case you all haven’t heard of these great albums, they will provide you with thoughtful songs for connecting with God in the season of Lent. New York Hymns and Redeemer Knoxville are two groups of artists part of the next generation of the ever-growing retuned hymns movement. New York Hymns, Songs for Lent Redeemer Knoxville, Rise O Buried Lord Rise O Buried Lord by Redeemer Church of Knoxville & Friends
A Great New Online Resource Hub for Worship Leaders
Since its inception, the Gospel Coalition has served as a “third space” for folks of various denominational ties to come together to celebrate what we hold in common—the gospel. However, it’s more than just another attempt at common-ground ecumenism, which has often ended up in such a watered down unity that it barely tastes anything like historic, orthodox Christianity. No, it’s not that the non-essentials are unimportant. It’s that the full, robust gospel is of great, preeminent importance, and it is therefore worth our best attempts at prizing it in all our conversations about life, faith, and ministry.
Worship Reading Goals for 2012
Worship leaders should be worship readers, so here’s my ambitious list for 2012 (off the heels of what I have read in 2011). These are the books I want to focus on in the field of worship, but they won’t be the only things I read. In fact, I want to take seriously C. S. Lewis’s admonishment to read one old book for every new one. These are all relatively new books, and though I won’t read as many old … Read More
My Favorite Worship Reads from 2011
The beginning of 2011, for me, was largely about getting a recording out the door. Halfway through, I picked up a few books, and I’ll mention the ones that had the most impact in the area of worship, music, & arts. I’ll post my anticipated reads for 2012 later this week.
**If you’re a pastor, worship leader, or worship thinker, I’d love to know what books, articles, or other works influenced you this past year. Please share!**
John Jefferson Davis, Worship and the Reality of God: An Evangelical Theology of Real Presence (2010)
This one lit a fire under me, and I’ve been challenging others I know to read it. Its central thesis: evangelical worship needs to recover a sense that God is truly present among us in a unique way when we gather for worship. It not only diagnoses the historical and theological reasons why evangelical worship lacks a sense of God’s real presence, it proposes very helpful solutions to the problem. It is my number-one recommendation to my readership. If you can only read one book on worship this year, read this one.
What is a Canticle?
We evangelicals interested in historic worship practices, traditions, and liturgies have a steep learning curve. Part of that learning curve is a glossary of vocabulary words that pretty much feel like a foreign language (and there’s actually good reason for that…much old school worship lingo is Latin-based, not English-based). From matins to Magnificat, from vespers to Nunc dimittis, we cautiously dip our toes in the water. One of those Liturgese words is “canticle,” and I’ve found it particularly hard to understand what it is. Upon reading Paul Westermeyer’s concise yet thorough definition below, I now understand why.
Great Hymns Albums Released in the Last Few Months
I swear, I’m having to write these kinds of posts more often. The hymns/rehymn movement continues to strengthen and expand. Here are some great new albums that I’ve been enjoying and appreciating. Sojourn Music, A Child is Born Some very creative rock tunes, great guitar work, unconventional and delightful production choices. Some traditional tunes reworked, some originals. Sojourn is always on the upper side of the art spectrum. A Child Is Born by Sojourn High Street Hymns, On Winter’s … Read More
Old Hymns to New Music…Now in Spanish
I honestly can’t believe that this day is here. There is something very important about the prospect of the hymns movement going Spanish. In general, Spanish-speaking Christianity (at least of the Latin American variety) by and large is one of two brands—Catholic or Pentecostal. The latter, as far as I have observed, doesn’t often engage the rich history of hymnody that is a part of our Christian heritage. And, as I’ve advocated over and over again, hymnody indoctrinates. There is … Read More