Top FIVE Worship Books.

I’ve been leading worship now for about 12 years. I thought I would share with you the top five books that have inspired me in the realm of leading worship. Some of these are practical and some of these are more for our spiritual health. And yes, I’m leaving out the bible on purpose because it should be a no-brainer that God’s word is the most impacting and defining book on true worship. These books are in no particular order.

1. God Songs – Paul Baloche – Paul takes us on a journey not through worship but gives a full spectrum from the worship ministry. He teaches us music theory, band dynamics and ministry leadership and packs it all into one book. It’s one of my favorites and I occasionally have to refer back to it.
2. Make Love, Make War – Brian Doerksen – I read this one a few years ago. Brian takes some of his songs a gives a back story and a teaching on how and why they were written and gives songwriting tips. My biggest takeaway was a line that read if he couldn’t worship with a song, he couldn’t lead it. That was liberating.
3. Created For Worship – Noel Due – I just finished reading this book for my Theology of Worship course in college. This book literally opened my eyes to the practical side of worship. The fact that God had in mind what worship is and what it would look like before creation and how it never changed throughout until he comes back is mind-blowing. It’s a deep read and covers Genesis to Revelations but it’s one of the best books I have ever read on worship as an outward response to God’s manifest revelation.
4. Following the River – Bob Sorge – This is a little short book that I read every year. If you believe that the musical worship portion of your church should be spirit led and you are open to allowing the Spirit to move you through it, then you should read this book. It talks about staying in the middle of the river as it twists and turns banking off the Scripture in Ezekiel 47. He also talks about spontaneity in our worship services. Great little book and fast read.
5. Doxology and Theology – Matt Boswell – This book recently came out and is power packed full of theology and doxology. Hence the name of the book. The premise of the book is simple. You can’t have Doxology without Theology. In simple terms, our songs much be thick of the study of God. He obviously argues against the “me,we” songs to put the attention on the saving works of Jesus and the person of God. This is a great book if you want to take your worship deeper than just saying “God is good, God is great, let us thank him for this plate” kind of songs.

Honorable Mention goes to Worship Matter – Bob Kauflin – Honorable Mention goes to this book simply because I have not read it but have heard too many good things about it. It’s sitting on my shelf right now as I write this. I’m just covered up with too many other reading responsibilities to take on another worship book at the moment.

What would you add to this list? What books have impacted you in such a way that it has shifted your worship leading paradigm?