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The Art of Worship: A Musician's Guide to Leading Modern Worship
Contemporary worship continues to gain strength as the form of worship of choice for many churches across the country. The Art of Worship is a complete resource to which a musician or pastor can turn when asked to lead contemporary music. It provides in-depth instruction to every aspect of contemporary worship leadership--from assembling the team to choosing the music to conducting rehearsals. Author Greg Scheer takes a balanced, holistic approach, embracing the contemporary style without denying older traditions and encouraging excellence without ignoring the realities of the local church context. Worship team leaders, musicians, and pastors looking for a quality, comprehensive resource need look no further.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 7, 2010
Very accessible read for pastors and music leaders, or anyone involved in the process of planning worship. Scheer brings theology, church history, and practical aspects to bear on the discussion of worship. At the heart of his presentation is aiding the reader in making wise choices when attempting to innovate worship practices for a congregation.
For me the most interesting and personally challenging section dealt with creating "convergent" or "blended" worship. Scheer clearly presents the differences in Liturgical, Thematic and Experiential worship formats, both praising their individual strengths while warning about their inconsistencies and pitfalls, an important thing for all worshipers to understand about their own tradition. I find that I borrow freely from all three formats without realizing it. I hope that I will be more intentional in my approach to integrating these formats.
For people planning music, there is a lot of practical info regarding everything from congregational singing and vocal harmony to instrumentation and musical styles.
To reiterate another key element of Scheer's thesis, church musicians need to be given the tools to better understand what they're doing week in and week out. While this volume is not an exhaustive resource, I can't think of a better starter read to act as a springboard to a lifelong study of worship doxologically and practically.
For me the most interesting and personally challenging section dealt with creating "convergent" or "blended" worship. Scheer clearly presents the differences in Liturgical, Thematic and Experiential worship formats, both praising their individual strengths while warning about their inconsistencies and pitfalls, an important thing for all worshipers to understand about their own tradition. I find that I borrow freely from all three formats without realizing it. I hope that I will be more intentional in my approach to integrating these formats.
For people planning music, there is a lot of practical info regarding everything from congregational singing and vocal harmony to instrumentation and musical styles.
To reiterate another key element of Scheer's thesis, church musicians need to be given the tools to better understand what they're doing week in and week out. While this volume is not an exhaustive resource, I can't think of a better starter read to act as a springboard to a lifelong study of worship doxologically and practically.
April 17, 2012
Very, very good practical manual for church music leaders. Great balance between philosophy/theology of worship, and emphasis on the day-to-day practical stuff. Recommended, for sure. More complete review on the way.
October 16, 2013
A great read, contains both practical and spiritual insights into being an effective music minister and leader of worship in whatever worship context you find yourself in.
May 22, 2019
Worship styles and church services have changed dramatically over the past few years. More and more churches are at least offering a contemporary style worship service, and others have completely switched over to a contemporary format. The Art of Worship, a comprehensive guide to finding the right style and mix of worship for your church, provides basic information on how to implement contemporary music and worship.
The author begins by talking about assessing a church's situation - the congregation, resources, leadership and motives. Then he addresses dealing with the logistical details of whatever changes are going to occur. The next chapters focus on the worship team itself - assembling the team, coming up with a repertoire of music and how to introduce new music. Other chapters feature planning and structuring the worship service, the roles and responsibilities of everyone on the worship team, rehearsal, leading, and how to incorporate hymns in a contemporary context.
My husband, who is the drummer on our church worship team, read this book along with me, and was pleased at how much practical information it provided. We shared it with our pastor, who also found a wealth of helpful ideas to implement in our own church. The author doesn't just throw a bunch of information out, but includes pages of how to and spiritual guidance. It is helpful for everyone involved with worship - from the trained pastor to the lay worship leader.
I highly recommend The Art of Worship for anyone who participates in or has influence over their church worship service. It is like having a book of conference notes right at your fingertips.
The author begins by talking about assessing a church's situation - the congregation, resources, leadership and motives. Then he addresses dealing with the logistical details of whatever changes are going to occur. The next chapters focus on the worship team itself - assembling the team, coming up with a repertoire of music and how to introduce new music. Other chapters feature planning and structuring the worship service, the roles and responsibilities of everyone on the worship team, rehearsal, leading, and how to incorporate hymns in a contemporary context.
My husband, who is the drummer on our church worship team, read this book along with me, and was pleased at how much practical information it provided. We shared it with our pastor, who also found a wealth of helpful ideas to implement in our own church. The author doesn't just throw a bunch of information out, but includes pages of how to and spiritual guidance. It is helpful for everyone involved with worship - from the trained pastor to the lay worship leader.
I highly recommend The Art of Worship for anyone who participates in or has influence over their church worship service. It is like having a book of conference notes right at your fingertips.
October 23, 2018
This book was published in 2006, so at times it feels somewhat outdated when it comes to our present contemporary worship culture. Also, while most of Scheer's book isn't highly theological, readers can still benefit from his philosophical, experiential, and practical points of view. To be fair, I don't believe his aim is theological as much as it is about the "how to" of worship leading. This is why I've given it 4 stars. Nevertheless, this is a helpful, wise, and practical book designed for worship pastors and their teams. There are three core strengths to this book:
1) Experience. As a seasoned worship leader, Scheer brings years of experience as it relates to leadership, practical advice, and wisdom with a pastor's heart. This might be the greatest strength of this book.
2) Musicianship. Scheer provides detailed insight on how to assemble a worship team, how bassists and drummers should interact with each other, a thorough discussion on modulation and key changes, practical and helpful tips on how to lead productive rehearsals, how to incorporate other instruments (and choirs) in the contemporary worship style that is typically used in more traditional styles, and the importance of tempo as the glue that holds the band and each song together.
3) Perspective. Although Scheer presents his personal and experiential perspectives on contemporary worship throughout the book, he does present a historic and global perspective with discussions on the ancient church, the charismatic movement, the African-American tradition, and even the ecumenical movement. Whether the reader may have different perspectives or disagree with some of these traditions, Scheer rightly argues that there is so much to learn from the rich and versatile history of the universal church from its dawn to the present.
1) Experience. As a seasoned worship leader, Scheer brings years of experience as it relates to leadership, practical advice, and wisdom with a pastor's heart. This might be the greatest strength of this book.
2) Musicianship. Scheer provides detailed insight on how to assemble a worship team, how bassists and drummers should interact with each other, a thorough discussion on modulation and key changes, practical and helpful tips on how to lead productive rehearsals, how to incorporate other instruments (and choirs) in the contemporary worship style that is typically used in more traditional styles, and the importance of tempo as the glue that holds the band and each song together.
3) Perspective. Although Scheer presents his personal and experiential perspectives on contemporary worship throughout the book, he does present a historic and global perspective with discussions on the ancient church, the charismatic movement, the African-American tradition, and even the ecumenical movement. Whether the reader may have different perspectives or disagree with some of these traditions, Scheer rightly argues that there is so much to learn from the rich and versatile history of the universal church from its dawn to the present.
May 24, 2018
Very helpful and practical book that provides foundational theological, historical, and cultural rationale for content worship practices without getting bogged down in the minutia of headier academics. Scheer gets very musically technical at times, which for a pastor or worship committee could get tedious, but these technical details are vitally important for musicians, vocalists, and sound techs. Scheer does not hold any particular worship style over any other, he simply recognizes the changing reality of worship in the North American context, noting the strengths and weaknesses of the various traditions rather than making value judgments.
Overall a very helpful book for anyone involved in worship. It will help drummers understand pianists and guitarists understand pastors and councils understand volunteers.
Overall a very helpful book for anyone involved in worship. It will help drummers understand pianists and guitarists understand pastors and councils understand volunteers.
January 30, 2023
I guess I was expecting more being a drummer myself. I've been on the worship team for two years and sadly I can't say I learned much from this book. Cool cover though.
November 1, 2021
A practical guide to leading worship.
As a relatively new worship leader, I found plenty of tips that will be useful for me to use in ministry. I liked how there were comments around what would work with different sized churches. I also found the comments around contemporary vs traditional music very helpful.
I recommend this book to those starting out in ministry as well as those who have been in ministry for a while but would like to grow their knowledge.
As a relatively new worship leader, I found plenty of tips that will be useful for me to use in ministry. I liked how there were comments around what would work with different sized churches. I also found the comments around contemporary vs traditional music very helpful.
I recommend this book to those starting out in ministry as well as those who have been in ministry for a while but would like to grow their knowledge.
January 27, 2011
A very helpful book, kindly loaned to me by a fellow music minister , Luke Brodine. I second Luke's own review and would simply add that my own understanding and specifically my practice of preparing vocal harmony arrangement was enriched by the chapter on how to approach harmony construction.
I very much appreciated his insight that "pop" music song forms, and the bands or vocal teams that bring them to life, are truly artistic pursuits and worthy of study, skill, and refinement. His depth of experience as an player, a teacher, and a thoughtful man of faith all converge in his writing. Not too long of a read and a good resource especially on technical aspects of leading songs in worship.
I very much appreciated his insight that "pop" music song forms, and the bands or vocal teams that bring them to life, are truly artistic pursuits and worthy of study, skill, and refinement. His depth of experience as an player, a teacher, and a thoughtful man of faith all converge in his writing. Not too long of a read and a good resource especially on technical aspects of leading songs in worship.
July 2, 2016
I wish I had read this book when I started piano accompanying back then. The book is very thorough and detailed, combining conceptual and technical bits. Very informative for newbie but also refreshing for ongoing practicians.
August 15, 2022
Balanced & practical, mostly helpful for worship leaders & musicians.
I found a lot of this to ring true after 8 years of full-time music ministry. There were also many bits of good advice that obviously came from the author's much longer experience in church music.
I found a lot of this to ring true after 8 years of full-time music ministry. There were also many bits of good advice that obviously came from the author's much longer experience in church music.
Want to read
February 13, 2010recommended from Lester Ruth's History of Christian Worship class (spring 2010)
October 10, 2023
Really practical yet it does not lack on spiritual and healthy doctrine.
April 19, 2013
The Art of Worship is the definitive source for forming/administering a Praise & Worship team. I gained a lot of insight in reading this book that I will be taking to my local church.
November 14, 2013
A must read for all worship leaders!
August 29, 2014
A thorough summary of the demands, responsibilities, and opportunities–practical and theological–for a faithful worship leader. I suspect this one will be down from my shelf and on my desk often.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews