Wow! eBook
More Than Music: Becoming a Highly Effective Worship Team
Author(s): Steve Phifer (Author)
- Publisher: Empowered Publications Inc
- Publication Date: 31 May 2018
- Edition: Illustrated
- Language: English
- Print length: 180 pages
- ISBN-10: 1943033706
- ISBN-13: 9781943033706
Book Description
A Training Course for Worship Team Ministry.
More than Music: Becoming a Highly Effective Worship Team
is a biblically sound presentation of why and how singers, instrumentalists, and technicians can find the dynamic center between cultural effectiveness and spiritual power.
More than Music: Becoming a Highly Effective Worship Team focuses on the fundamental and perennial challenges of worship team ministry. Because worship is expressed by culture, these two things become almost inseparable in our thinking, but separate them we must. Culture is temporary, and worship is eternal; it is essential for an effective worship team to constantly monitor these differences.
The book is written in two sections:
1. The Biblical Study of Worship,
2. The Biblical Study of Worship Leading.
The biblical instructions and principles of worship are eternal and absolute, applicable to all cultures. The local praxis of worship leading is temporary and relative, applicable in one place at one time. More Than Worship clearly sets forth the differences between the two.
The Biblical Study of Worship.
The first half of the book explores biblical terminology and models of worship. The reader is introduced to the original biblical meanings of important worship terms:
- Worship in Spirit and Truth,
- Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
- Praise and worship.
Seven biblical models of worship are presented which illustrate vital and universal aspects of worship.
- The structure of worship
- The identity of worshipers
- The function of worshipers
- The Throne of God in worship
- The Office-place of God in worship
- The flow of the River of Life through worship.
The Biblical Study of Worship Leading.
The second half of the book applies these truths to the ministry of the worship team. This book is not about the style of music or of technical presentations. More Than Music points out the eternal things so that the temporary things can be clearly seen. These biblical principles and instructions can be useful across cultural divides. Topics explored in the second half of the book are:
- The Leadership of the Holy Spirit
- The Heart of the True Worshiper
- The Call of God to lead worship
- Finding the Dynamic Center between competing demands
- An Effective Prayer Life
- Continuing the work of Worship Renewal into the next generation.
Becoming a Highly Effective Worship Team Being on a worship team should be a delight and not a burden. Problems plaguing worship teams can be solved as the Holy Spirit does His work through the application of the Word in our hearts.
More than Music is designed as a 12-week study course. Each chapter can be read by team members before the class session and then taught by the worship leader. At the close of each chapter, there are seven discussion statements/questions to help the team process the truths presented.
Plans for Use:
- A 12 week Sunday School-type of class
- A year-long monthly teaching fellowship
- A personal study by each team member
- Weekly chapter readings with rehearsal devotions discussing the end of the chapter study questions
- A supplemental text in college and seminar classrooms studying the ministry of the worship team and worship leader.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Worship is famously described as the source and summit of the entire Christian life. Everything flows from worship and conduces to it. More than Music: Becoming a Highly Effective Worship Team provides a good starting point for the critical task of studying worship from a biblical and Christ-centered perspective, gaining knowledge and wisdom regarding the work that followers of Jesus will be doing for eternity. It is difficult not to see the God-loving heart of Dr. Steve Phifer in this book. His deepest desire is for his heart (and the reader's heart) to resonate with the heart of God and his love for all of creation. Dr. James R. Hart, President, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
Dr. Phifer has written a book that will benefit anyone involved in any way in worship leading. He does not get bogged down in the "worship wars" that plague many congregations. Rather he develops theology that should inform everyone's approach to how we will lead congregations before God. Dr. Bob Caldwell. Theologian-in-Residence, Network 21, Professor of Theology, Global University.
Having already read Dr. Phifer's book, Worship that Pleases God, I was itching to find out what he had installed for More than Music. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Steve has a strong passion for worship, music, and scripture that he has been able to articulate well as written teachings for worship leaders, musicians, singers, and worshipers of any background. If you are looking for a resource that helps explain what praise and worship is and what it can look like as a leader and team member, in layman's terminology, including lots of scriptural references, look no further. Luke Gambill. Assistant Professor of Music/Coordinator of Contemporary Worship, William Carey University.
Steve, just finished your new book. It is absolutely excellent. The way you approach the generational dynamics utilizing "Polarizing terms" is genius and how you connect that with the fabric of God's created universe is eye-opening. The mark of a good book in my mind is that it makes me think rather than tell me what to think. You have hit the nail on the head with this. Pastor Randy Brock, Lead Care Pastor, Victory Church, Lakeland, FL.
More Than Music is a finely articulated resource that explains Biblical principles and explores the various polarities of worship. It is perfect for teaching and studying God's Word to obtain a biblical understanding of worship. Whether you are a worship leader, worship team member, or a fellow worship participator, you will walk away with a greater understanding of personal and public worship. Practical takeaways make this a wonderful book to read with your worship team! Caleb Gudgeon Worship Director Trinity Assembly of God West Chester, Pennsylvania.
With this book, Steve Phifer's practical wisdom and experience have moved from the keyboard of the piano to the keyboard of the computer. As countless churches have been blessed by his musical gifts as many will be instructed by his teaching in More than Music. Dr. Lester Ruth, Research Professor of Christian Worship, Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina.
