When I was first given this book just over a year ago by our song leader, I wasn't too enthused. It appeared to be a stuffy, boring treatise on using music in a church to worship God. I couldn't have been further from the truth!

This book is an excellent read and one that has greatly enriched me in several ways. As a Christian, it helped me to see that worship is not just during the music service. As a pastor, it has helped me see the different dynamics that go into planning and preparing a service which glorifies God in ALL aspects.

In the book, Kauflin describes how a few years before the book was written (2008), he set out to come up with the definition for a "worship leader." He wanted to clarify his understanding of what God was calling him to do in the church he was serving. Here is what he came up with:

A faithful worship leader
magnifies the greatness of God in Jesus Christ
through the power of the Holy Spirit
by skilfully combining God's Word with music,
thereby motivating the gathered church
to proclaim the gospel,
to cherish God's presence,
and to live for God's glory.

For a good portion of the book, he takes each line of the above definition he came up with and writes a particular chapter. Again, each chapter was solid both biblically and practically.

The last two chapters were outstanding. One was written to song leaders or worship leaders in conjunction to their relationship with the pastor they are serving. Wow - Kauflin spares no words and gets below the surface when it comes to issues that often arise between music leaders and the pastor of a church.

The last chapter is written to pastors and encourages them that they are to be the (they actually are whether they realize it or not) the one who teaches, leads, shapes, and molds the people in their churches towards worship more than the music (worship, song, etc) leader will do.

This will be a book I will refer to in the years to come as we seek to worship God in a manner fitting the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

This book might more appropriately be titled The Gospel Matters as the author spends a lot of time stressing repeatedly the supremacy of the Gospel and our duty as worship leaders to communicate the Gospel in all aspects of our life and service. I agree with this wholeheartedly. However, I felt like this became somewhat repetitive, predominantly in the middle section where Kauflin dissects his working definition of a worship leader. I suppose it boils down to expectations. I came to this book expecting a practical book on worship and Kauflin split his time between practical ideas and theology. This is not a bad approach (it is probably a really good approach) but I did feel like his theological sections became bogged down a bit in repetition. All in all, a really good coverage of the topic and something for every believer.

This book was a pleasure to read. To learn about Bob Kauflin's experience is beyond helpful for someone who is being thrust into a Worship Leader role. While I don't agree with everything said here, I learned from everything said here. I was challenged on many parts of this book, particular in the first and last sections.

My only caution is the charismatic theological background. One of the issues I had was the encouragement of the congregation to be more emotive during worship so that it is authentic.

However, the guidance offered here from theological to practical is worth its weight in gold. I heartily endorse this book to any worship leaders or aspiring worship leaders. This would also be helpful for anyone who wants to understand the role of a worship leader or as part of a study on corporate worship through music.

highly recommend for any worship pastor or leader! this gives a great insight and challenging reminder of what biblical worship is and looks like.

Over the years I have read a number of books around the topic of worship. This is by far and away the best and is something that I revisit time and again.