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In his book By the Waters of Babylon, Worship in a Post Christian Culture, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary music professor Scott Aniol answers the question, “How should churches today worship considering the increasingly pagan culture around them and their biblical mandate to reach that culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ?”
Aniol observed that evangelical worship leaders often call for worship to be rooted in the mission of God to the world. “Recognizing the postmodern, post-Christian nature of the North American context, worship leaders are asking, ‘What worship forms will best accomplish God’s mission in our culture?’”
He offers a careful study of the relationship between worship and evangelism and provides a biblical model for cultural engagement. In later chapters he explains how corporate worship shapes behavior and the regulation of worship elements and forms. Aniol’s book will provide a solid foundation for church leaders who value the importance of evangelism in music ministry. More of his writing is available at ArtisticTheologian.com, Southwestern’s journal of worship and ministry arts published by the School of Church Music.
“Thanking his parents and grandparents for instilling a deep love for the church and to see the worship of Jesus form his people,” third-generation Southern Baptist minister Matt Boswell of Providence Church in Frisco explains why theology should matter to music ministers in his edited work, Doxology and Theology: How the Gospel Forms the Worship Leader.
Instead of merely thinking about sound, charts, and guitars, he draws wisdom from a dozen ministers of music to explain how to approach worship theologically. His own chapters on “Doxology, Theology, and the Mission of God,” followed by “Qualifications of a Worship Leader” set the stage for input by others on the worship leader in relation to Scripture, the Trinity, mission, heart, justice, liturgy, creativity, disciple-making, the pastor, singing, and the gospel.
Addressing family worship, Boswell shares his concern that “many worship leaders stand in front of their congregations and profess the primacy of Scripture but then enter their homes and fail to connect these truths to our lives.” He and other contributors provide guidance for men to walk in light of scriptural truth and faithfully serve local congregations.
Two other books written by worship leaders serving in Louisville were recommended by several sources for the TEXAN’s report on music.
Endorsed by several Southern Baptists, Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel by Mike Cosper addresses spiritual formation, liturgy and the pastor as worship leader among other topics, including sample service orders and an extended resource list.
“We remember our identity as gospel-formed people, journeying together through the story that gave us our identity and being sent out to live gospel-shaped lives,” said Cosper who is associated with Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. “Practiced in these rhythms, we learn to think in them, much as we learn to improvise on an instrument.”
Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin is the go-to guide for many music ministers. With an entertaining style, the director of Sovereign Grace Music works in stories from his experience in local churches to provide a nuts and bolts approach to addressing what he calls “a disconnect between the God they worshiped on Sundays and the one they seemed to follow during the week.”
Sections on the music leader and his task are followed by his analysis of healthy tensions and development of right relationships with the church, music team and pastor. “I like to think I can do a great job leading worship with nothing but my own experience, resources, wisdom, and leadership gifting. But I can’t,” Kauflin wrote. “God never intended me to. I can certainly lead, but it won’t be as effective or fruitful as when others are involved,” he said, offering a reminder that “every week is another opportunity to benefit from the contributions and insights of others.”
