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The Wonder of Worship
Ronald B. Allen
Thomas Nelson / Word
Hardcover. 262 pages.
Review by Valerie Martinez (Read Valerie's bio)
I don't know about you, but I have noticed a shift in the way people worship over the last several years. Being involved in the music industry, all kinds of music are important to me. However, nothing touches the heart quite like worship music. Although this book was written specifically for worship leaders and pastors, the book's passionate appeal for worship renewal will bless any devout Christian worshiper.
Whether you are ready for it or not, the one size fits all approach to worship is vanishing in many churches. Every church should examine the quality and impact of its worship services. You may ask yourself these questions. How can we avoid weekly rituals devoid of passion? Are Sunday mornings sacred? Or will a Saturday evening service please God? Should believers sit, kneel, stand, bow, clap or raise hands? Should we allow the vibrant new music of praise to crowd out public reading of the Scriptures? From a lifetime of broad experience as a seminary professor and a worship leader, Dr. Ronald B. Allen challenges us to see that instead of dividing us, true worship can be the most uniting influence in any Christian community, drawing us together in the shared joy of heartfelt praise. Of course, there will be differences in styles, forms, and flavors of worship. Chuck Swindoll writes : "Instead of being a casualty of the worship wars, I urge you to let this book lead you upward to the heart of God Himself."
This book is very thought provoking. Even those who feel they already have an understanding of worship will be inspired. Dr. Allen writes "Worship should not focus on what we 'get out of it'. That is obviously self-centered. Our worship is not about pleasing or entertaining each other or our guests. Worship is also not really for unbelievers, for they are not capable of worshiping God. Slaves to sin, they worship things of the flesh. So if worship is not for people, why then do we attend church? We come to meet with God. We come for Him. We come with a hunger for the person of God. We come to experience His presence among us. Psalm 27:4 models a worshiper's attitude: 'One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.' Like David, we come in worship to gaze on God, to get a fresh sense of His presence, to see again His beauty, to seek anew His will for our lives. And we come to give to God! We come to express our love to Him. We come to feast on His Word so that our lives are renewed and our spirits refreshed. We come to be filled again with the things of God, so that we are recharged to live for Him as His ambassadors during the week ahead. We come as a living sacrifice, offering ourselves to Him."
"When we come to a worship service, we should not come as spectators, to watch an event. We should come to take part. Rather than seeing the pastor and musicians as 'performers' and considering ourselves as part of the audience, we need to see ourselves as those who are coming as worshipers, with the Lord as the 'audience'. He is the Receiver of our love, our praise, our adoration, out tithes, in short, our worship. The people up front are like player-coaches in sports, or like drama directors and prompters in theater. The leaders attempt to inspire and remind the congregation to offer their worship to God in appropriate and meaningful ways. The question we need to ask at the end of every worship service is not, did I enjoy it? Instead the question should be, Was God honored by my worship? Was God pleased with my heart and my offering? Can you imagine the difference in our services each week if people came with that perspective in mind?"
It is so easy to get caught up in the performance part of worship. Dr. Allen strips away all of our excuses for not participating in worship and gives us all the reasons why we should enter in. If you have a heart to worship then I would suggest you pick up a copy of this book and let the moving message in this book reignite in your own heart the wonder of worship.
This book can be found in your local Christian bookstore.
| About Valerie Martinez: Valerie Martinez is a freelance writer and Publicist/Contributing Writer for Christian Songwriters Resource. She also writes a monthly column for the "Active Christian News" in Phoenix AZ. She has written one book and has appeared on National Television, Radio and Newspapers. She may be reached at 480-964-0710 or at valerie@crosshome.com |
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The Wonder of Worship Ronald B. Allen Thomas Nelson / Word Buy Now! |
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