Jamie.
From St Aldates, Oxford.
10 February 2009 - 12:25am
Alright Guys,
I remember a while ago Al posted a 'what are you reading?' thread. To further this I thought it would be useful for us to think about the books you have read (recently or in the past) that have formed or refocussed your theology of worship?
For me, 'Ancient Future Worship' by Bob Webber completely refocussed me on the whole 'how do we develop our worship?' idea. Loads of good solid teaching to look at how the ancient foundations of worship are still relevant today with the road to the future often leading through the past.
Al Hamill
From Glenabbey
21 February 2009 - 10:05am
For me, one of the best theologies on worship I have read is the chapter by DA Carson in 'Worship by the Book'. Thoroughly biblical, insightful, challenging, stimulating, thought-provoking and always written with an eye to how this applies practically to how we lead corporate worship. At times, it may make uncomfortable reading, but only because it so powerfully challenges some of the assumptions we so readily make about worship. You may not agree with everything he says, but you'll certainly be challenged to think through more deeply what you do believe. Well worth investing some unhurried time reading this.
Here's a wee extract. Carson is discussing our tendancy to worship 'worship' rather than God, to pursue the experience of worship above the Object of our worship. He says:
"The point is acknowledged in a praise chorus like 'Let's forget about ourselves, and magnify the Lord, and worship him.' The trouble is that after you have sung this repetitious chorus three or four times, you are no further ahead. The way you forget about yourself is by focusing on God - not by singing about doing it, but by doing it. There are far too few choruses and services and sermons that expand our vision of God - his attributes, his works, his character, his words. Some think that corporate worshuip is good because it is lively where it had been dull. But it may also be shallow where it is lively, leaving people dissatisfied and restless in a few months' time. Sheep lie down when they are well fed (cf. Ps 23:2); they are more likely to be restless when they are hungry. 'Feed my sheep,' Jesus commanded Peter (John 21); and many sheep are unfed. If you wish to deepen the worship of the people of God, above all deepend thier grasp of his ineffable majesty in his person and all his works." (p31)
www.music.glenabbey.org.uk
Hi Jamie
I have just finished 'Incomparable' by Andrew Wilson.
I have read book after book on 'How to do worship' and have recently been challenged to look at the God who we worship. Andrews re-issue of the book has new additions or (Selah) it's great to read about the character of the One we worship and then lead into worship. Theology on fire!!!
I have been really challenged to get to know Him better and lead out of that continuing revelation.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18
Keep on mate
mark
Um, the bible?? Revelation 4-5, Psalms and I do look to my female worship leading/prayer and praising ancestors - Miriam, Hannah, Deborah....(I mean obviously there's the guys like David and what's his name...oh yeah, Jesus!! But it's nice to have some lassies who worship in the bible to have as role models)
Ok, you wanted non-bible books, didn't you! There have been a few...
1. The Unquenchable Worshipper - Matt Redman
2. Now let's move into a time of nonsense - Nick Page (? could have details of that title/author wrong)
3. Praise Habit - David Crowder
I think that particularly the first book was so easy to read but challenged me not to think as leading worship as a thing to do just by singing and playing guitar, but something that involves my whole life.
Laura Anne
You can find my blog at http://gracenoteshowers.blogspot.com
Hey Jamie
I guess the two "worship" themed books (other than the Bible) that I've read recently would be Tim Hughes' Passion For Your Name and Holding Nothing Back. Both of these books are great and have sound biblical theology of worship.
Chapter 3 of Passion For Your Name - Never Lose The Wonder struck a chord with me, how easy is it for us to lose sight of the wonder of God, to get caught up in church life... being busy doing things for God rather than spending time just being with Him, beholding His beauty, being captivated by Him, acknowledging that "There Must Be More"... I don't think I ever really realised the vastness of God or creation until I flew over the Great Barrier Reef in a helicopter 5 years ago, all that could be seen was the vast expanse of ocean and the beautiful coral reefs underneath and the sky above... He is the creator of all the wonders in the world... The King Of Wonders! and is worthy of all praise and worship despite the circumstances we find ourselves in.
I read Holding Nothing Back at a time when our worship team core leader was giving us teaching on the subject of Witholding... what areas of our lives are we witholding from God? does He have all of our hearts or just part?
"The Father who gave everything that we might know Him and have life in all its fullness. Holding nothing back, the Father delights in us, sings over us, chases after us, cares deeply about us, and sent His only Son to die for us. And what is our only possible response to this extravagant love?... To hold nothing back ourselves." (Tim Hughes - Holding Nothing Back)
As we worship the King of Wonders, the only offering thatis of worth to God is to offer Him our lives wholeheartedly and unreservedly, but this requires that we trust God with our lives, let go and let God have His way. It is through this surrender, being captivated by God's love and beauty and revelation that I have a renewed passion for worship, to grow and develop giftings that will be used for His glory.
Agree. Passion For Your Name is an inspiring read.
I also strongly recommend a book called "The Hip Hop Church" by Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson. Although it focusses on hip hop in worship music, it is a very good read to see how humility and serving a need really should come into worship. And it helps you think outside of the box, so to speak.
Recently read "The Worship Driven Life" By A.W. Tozer. It was a good read with lots of really good thoughts in it. Think I'll have to give it a re-read to grasp some of the points again (that I have forgotten!)
It was good though!
Jamie
Matt Redman's book 'Facedown' is great - fresh insight on ancient principles.
I also like 'Incomparable' by Andrew Wilson. For me, that type of book is what it's all about in terms of worship. Our worship is a response to God, so in order to really worship God we must see Him, study Him, seek His face, hear His voice, and generally get to know Him. After we've done that, however we feel compelled to respond is our worship.
My favourite book ever is 'The Reason For God - Belief In An Age Of Scepticism' by Dr. Tim Keller. Although it's not really about worship per se (it's more of an apologetic) it is truly inspiring.
Probably a slightly different angle but Terl Bryant's 'A heart to drum' was a very inspiring read as a drummer.
He works very hard to build up the self esteem of people play the drums (if you think of a few drummer jokes you'll understand why - the bass player who locked his keys in his car is always the one that comes to my mind).
His book is also crammed with Bible verses so you can use it in your study times. I found it really poetic about it's descriptions of God which made me realise how deep a love for Christ can go in a person.
That is a good book!! I bought it for my brother - a drummer - and I think a lot of it can be transferred for any instrumentalist (although clearly not all of it).
I've just purcahsed these...not read them yet...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Recalling-Hope-Glory-Biblical-Creation/dp/0825435781/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248333800&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Would-Jesus-Lead-Worship/dp/1841016152/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1248333852&sr=8-2
And this looks interesting..I have it on pre order...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Drops-Like-Stars-Creativity-Suffering/dp/0310275032/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1248333884&sr=8-3
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