It’s not exactly War and Peace.
The classic book by Tolstoy famously known for its length looks like an encyclopedia up besides my book. You could read Worship Essentials a few hundred times before you got half-way through War and Peace.
It’s not a theology of worship. For that, read Tozer and Peterson or more recently Bob Kauflin (Worship Matters), Matt Boswell (Doxology & Theology or Dwayne Moore (Pure Praise). Everyone should read Keith and Kristyn Getty’s book, Sing! to find a biblical apologetic for congregational singing. Those and many others have helped me develop a theology of worship.
It’s also not intended to be a primer for ministry leaders. Find Zac Hicks and his book, The Worship Pastor, or the books by Dr. Vernon Whaley that describe and discuss what worship leadership looks like in a local congregation.
So, just what is Worship Essentials?
It is a discussion starter. The intention is to create a way to evaluate the worship ministry of your church against a backdrop of values that should be present when a church gets it right. It gives you a way to think about the worship ministry of your church and the worship health of your congregation.
In the last chapter, I explain why I’m so excited about the next generation of leaders and why I believe God is raising them up to lead a spiritual revival marked by worship in our lifetimes. If you only read one chapter, read that one. You’ll be encouraged.
It’s not rocket science. It’s an easy read. Some of it might make you mad. Other parts might make you glad. I just hope all of it makes you think.
I’m blessed to be part of an organization that invited me to write a book about worship.
Worship Essentials releases today.
Hallelujah.
