Worship Leaders: You Need This Book

It’s a rare thing for me to sit down a read a book these days.

I chalk it up to reading so much in undergrad and graduate school, and then being employed as a book editor for 4 years. Really, most of my time now is spent reading shorter articles/newsletters, watching how-to videos, or listening to podcasts.

But this week, I read through a book in one day—all 70+ pages of it.

And I’ll be re-reading it because it’s chock-full of so many good things to chew on, not just as a worship leader, but as someone who yearns for worship as a way of living, being, and doing.

The book is called The Gospel According to Worship by Matthew Westerholm, and here’s why you need to pick it up.

A Brief Summary

For the last few months, I’ve been enjoying Westerholm’s Substack posts, where he gives advice and commentary on all things related to worship (much like this newsletter). Drawing from his experience as a worship pastor and current work as a professor of church music and worship at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, his insight, critiques, and direction have sparked thought and action for me in my work at my local church, through Worship Strategies, and within my family.

The Gospel According to Worship feels much like his online writing, separated into seven parts that could be read as standalone essays, but are connected by a central thesis that the gospel forms and fills our worship, which is influenced by the truth from God’s Word, the illumination by the Holy Spirit, and seen in action through discipleship in the local church.

Throughout each major section of his book, Westerholm brings forth his observations, critiques, and solutions by generously appealing to scripture, along with key insights from figures like Augustine and Calvin to modern-day scholars, wrapping it all up in playful wit and humor.

For me, it balanced thorough explanation with an easy-to-read, approachable voice—it was just fun to read!

Nuggets of Wisdom

Like I said, I’m definitely going to re-read this over the coming weeks and document ways that we (our local church) can realign and/or affirm our current work in worship ministry (and ministry at large). That being said, here are some quotes that I’ll be “chewing on” in these coming days:

“A church composed of highly educated, literate, and wealthy parishioners should use their education, writing, and wealth to celebrate the gospel. A church composed of highly artistic, expressive, and socially connected members ought to celebrate the gospel in artistically nuanced, physically expressive, and communally oriented ways.” (p.10)

“Just as no planet has the gravity to serve as the center of a solar system, so music does not have the gravity to serve as the center of a church’s ministry.” (p.25)

“Our identity cannot be found in the things we make but is defined by the truth that by God we are made. We are not saved by our good works, but we are saved by his work.” (p.36)

“How should Christians think about music? It’s not a universal language, but it is deeply related to human bodies. It’s not a social solution, but it is a communal reality. It’s not a sacrament or portal to the divine, but it is a glorious use of the good physical creation that God has given.” (p.45)

“. . . musical competence is not for showing off or displaying virtuosity but for the flourishing of the congregation. By informing the congregation about when and how to sing, they can participate with greater clarity, greater certainty, and hopefully greater faith.” (p.47)

“As we mature in Christ, the joy of other people in the body becomes our joy.” (p.65)

I would HIGHLY encourage you to check this book out, and then go ahead and subscribe to Westerholm’s Substack newsletters. I am thankful for men like him who are faithfully giving their voices to be used in the work God has called us all to do: proclaiming the truth of His Word to the world, as way to encourage His church and build His kingdom.

Be blessed 👊✌️