Review: Essential Worship: A Handbook for Leaders

Essential Worship: A Handbook for Leaders by Greg Scheer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As an avid book reviewer, I classify books into three categories: (i) so-so books that I'd sell away, (ii) 5 star books that I'd keep on my shelf for future reference and (iii) 6 star books that I'd purchase additional copies to give away.

To this gem of a book, its an easy choice to be considered for the 6 stars. Scheer grounds his book with Scripture (no noticeable opinions or assertions I found), providing thorough research (both historical and present day), illustrates theological principles with modern day analogies/illustrations, and somehow packing it all into a highly practical and reflective package. There were also plenty of diagrams, charts and pictures to visually complement ideas put forward, extremely apt quotes from historical Christians, an extensive recommended book list scattered all over the chapters and an impressive footnoted bibliography.

At 283 pages, Scheer targets a very specific audience - it is directed primarily at worship directors (and secondarily pastoral staff/lay leaders/worship band members) who care enough about their church's worship condition/climate to digest a book of this length.

I'd imagine that any further brevity would sacrifice the quality and clarity of the content. One of the most profound takeaways was food for thought found right at the preface - how would we plan our funeral service to be executed and what meaning do we hope those attending would take with them?

I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Team Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Review: Liberating King: Breaking Free from the Tyranny of Sin

Liberating King: Breaking Free from the Tyranny of Sin by Stephen Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miller mixes up stories from movies, the bible, the lives of his friends, accounts of famous missionaries/christians and his own struggles in this little book. Miller is often straight to the point, and utilises accessible (jargon free) language. I enjoyed the journey Miller took me on the book and was heartened by the reminder in the last chapter to look beyond the immensely difficult times of this life and instead to the worship in time eternal. I had read, studied and heard the book of Revelation intensely and yet somehow my heart had forgotten how to worship.

While I look forward to a more thorough and theologically beefier revised version, I recognise that the target audience is one that the average Christian theologian could reach. Weighing in at a slim 121 pages, it is ideal for people who do not usually go to their local church library or christian bookstore to pick up books to read. Its brevity thus makes it an ideal gift to other believers.

I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Redman on worship leaders

It's all too easy for what was once a pure act of the abundance of the heart to become more of a performance when we're on stage in front of others. We need to guard against elements of performance creeping in when we're leading people before the heavenly throne. God has enough beauty, majesty and glory to inspire us for all eternity, so we don't really need the worship leader trying to impress us or hype up some praise. In fact, it's an offence to distract attention from God, and people usually know in their hearts when they has happened. Worship leaders must point as sensitively as possible to the Lord and never to themselves.

I often define good worship leaders as those who lead strongly enough so that people follow but not so strongly they they themselves become the focus. If you think about it, worship leaders who end up with a whole lot of attention aren't actually very good at their job.

From Pages 47-48 of

The Unquenchable Worshipper