Worship: Rediscovering the Missing Jewel

Rating:
Summary: Old news
Review: As a pastor, I am always receptive to learn more about leading God's people in worship. This book is an excellent resource that would be an asset to every pastor's bookshelf. Allen and Borror do an outstanding job of presenting key components of Christian worship.

The authors define worship, then proceed to speak of the necessity of balance in worship services. Worship services should be characterized by upreach, inreach and outreach. In other words, worship services should consist of loving God, loving one another, and loving the world in a desire for their salvation. In the latter portion of this work, the authors focus on various components of worship services, such as the use of "amen," physical participation, public Scripture reading, music ministry, and an appropriate environment.

I recommend this book highly to all pastors, worship leaders, and other persons who will be leading the body of Christ in adoration and praise.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Primer on Worship!
Review: As a pastor, I am always receptive to learn more about leading God's people in worship. This book is an excellent resource that would be an asset to every pastor's bookshelf. Allen and Borror do an outstanding job of presenting key components of Christian worship.

The authors define worship, then proceed to speak of the necessity of balance in worship services. Worship services should be characterized by upreach, inreach and outreach. In other words, worship services should consist of loving God, loving one another, and loving the world in a desire for their salvation. In the latter portion of this work, the authors focus on various components of worship services, such as the use of "amen," physical participation, public Scripture reading, music ministry, and an appropriate environment.

I recommend this book highly to all pastors, worship leaders, and other persons who will be leading the body of Christ in adoration and praise.

Rating:
Summary: Old news
Review: This is an attempt to make basic the from of worship in a tightly scripted method of worship ... far from the origianl concept that the early christians had.

Rating:
Summary: More Than Meets The Eye!
Review: When I began to read this book, some of the issues from the start began to sound a little dated and sure enough I found that this was written 20 years ago. However, something occurred to me, that a lot of congregations still deal with some of the issues that are covered in this excellent book.

"Worship - Rediscovering the Missing Jewel" is EXCELLENT; well presented material covering the subject of worship. Though worship can be defined as many different ways as there are people, both Allen and Borror do an commendable job covering the Biblical aspects of worship. The aspects can go as deep as they are varied.

There is the temptation of scoffing at some of the practical matters covered in the material because they may not be percieved as "spiritual" and may seem out of place. I beg to differ! If that's true, then the utility companies that provide a comfortable climate to worship in, have no influence in our ability to focus our worship either. There is a section dealing with the technical matters that influence worship that many just take for granted. Acoustics, sound reinforcement among other areas deal, are necessities that assuming are working correctly are doing their job when you don't have to think about them.

Another interesting topic is liturgy. Whether your style of worship is liturgical or a free style, the challenge is to do it with a sincere heart and mind. Form without the right motive is ultimately just a platitude (my opinion). The section on liturgy may come across as unfairly slanted (and to some degree it is but keep in mind this is written to free evangelicals and their worship). The authors do point out the problems of free worship if not following the Biblical model, so the challenge to the evangelical community is clear of checking ones reasoning. Though the books' analysis on liturgical worship is a bird's eye view, I personally have learned to respect what the liturgical style of worship is suppose to accomplish, based on what little is covered.

"Worship" is a challenge to everyone person in the area of heart and act of worshipping. Allen and Borror (even if you may not agree with portions of what they write) really make it incumbent on the person to examine the motives behind ones "worship" and lifestyle. I believe many in Christiandom everywhere do what "they do" and don't really understand why or just have believed one way there whole life. I confident that the Biblical wisdom in this book will positively effect your worship life.