O come, let us worship: Corporate worship in the evangelical church

by Robert G. Rayburn

Book by Rayburn, Robert Gibson

Genres: Church, Theology

319 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Robert Gibson Rayburn

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. It may not be the most thrilling book you'll ever read, but it is very useful, well thought out, and instructive. Robert G. Rayburn wrote this volume in the early 1980s as an elder pastor to ministerial students and young ministers. It develops the rationale of seeing the Sunday morning worship assembly not as evangelistic; not as a Christian version of a Tupperware party; but as a time when Christians gather in dialogical adoration of God. Rayburn gives many persuasive reasons and reflections on how to see each element of worship in this way. He does write from a Presbyterian and Reformed perspective, but he draws on church history, the Book of Common Prayer, and other traditions. And most of all, he is guided by the sacred Scriptures.

This volume should be read as if you were sitting down with an older Christian minister who is graciously coaching you as a worship leader and as a pastor. In the end, you may not embrace everything he recommends, but you will see the worship assembly in a new light and find yourself often pondering, "How is what I'm putting together for this Sunday, worship?" And parishioners will find themselves much more appreciative of the Sunday morning worship time than they have in the past, "Oh. That's why we do this. That's why we say that." I happily recommend this volume for ministers, worship leaders and congregants alike.

[Tim Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I found the first section on worship in the OT and NT to be a little more than what I was interested in, I thoroughly enjoyed the last 2/3 of the book focused on common worship, Liturgy, hymnody, and special services. There is much to profit from here in terms of best practices, history, and thought provocation. It will leave a lasting influence on my perspective of worship.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much of this book is so excellent as a call to worship God in spirit and in truth. Especially good are the two chapters on order of worship. What warranted the 4-star rating is there are a few too many comments that are preferences without adequate scriptural support. For example, there is a treatment of what the congregation should partake of the Lord's Supper at the same time or each as they are served. Raymond's preference is stated with rather weak argument and he seems to push to make his preference the only way with very weak scriptural support. That said, most in evangelicalism would benefit tremendously from reading this book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic text on Christian worship, what it means and how it ought to be done. Published in 1980, there are portions that come off as dated, but most of the book is of value (both theologically and practically) to the modern reader.

As a worship leader myself, I found the book to most beneficial in helping me to construct a lucid philosophy of corporate worship as well as immediately incorporating a number of suggestions into my worship planning. If you are involved in the worship ministry of your church, or you desire to be an informed worshipper, you must read this book.