Worship Essentials

Worship by definition is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

So why does "church culture" limit worship to just the music portion of Sunday service?

This is one book I think I went into reading with my expectations too high. I was hoping for a book that would address the tendency to try to separate the music part of Sunday services from the sermon and advocate for the fact that they are one and worship is more than just the music and therefore maybe there's a music team but the entire service is worship. 

Unfortunately, this book does not do that. Its focus is on building a music ministry that is harmonious regardless of the style of music, although the author does seem more disposed towards contemporary music. Harland addresses how modern society is often moving away from hymns and traditional gospel music into more upbeat, contemporary music with Sunday services that look like a concert. Harland also discusses the need for the worship ministry to be built up without starting a war. Harland discusses his approach to worship ministry by breaking down core values that any worship ministry needs to have: 

1. Tell the Story, 

2. Make True Disciples, 

3. Engage the Body 

4. Aspire with Purpose.

This I can understand, when I attended Shoreline in Austin, it's Sunday Service felt much like going to a concert. But let's be honest, God isn't concerned with the specific way that we worship as long as we worship in spirit and in truth. I can appreciate his addressing the need to dissolve the conflicts (idle meaningless arguments) over worship that can often be felt throughout the church. 

This is a book that I think could be helpful to those in music ministry. 

{FYI: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.}