Complete Worship Leader, The [Paperback]

Kevin J. Navarro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

How do you draw people into God's presence? This book explains the four elements that are crucial to becoming an effective worship leader: theology, discipleship, artistry, and leadership. You'll also find insights into building a worship team, engaging the five senses in worship, using new technology, and more!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Fellow worship leaders . . . God calls us to a supreme walk of faith and intentionality. May this much-needed book serve as your ready guide for a most exciting journey."
Sally Morganthaler, author of Worship Evangelism

"The term 'worship leader' describes a new way of conceiving of worship ministry leadership. Kevin's book explores this new approach in a helpful way by pointing to the foundational issues at stake for anyone in a worship role--as a volunteer, or part-time or full-time staff."
Robb Redman, contributing editor, Worship Leader

The Complete Worship Leader provides a holistic, biblical view of worship leading as drawing people into God's presence through the use of all the senses in worship, not just through song leading. It addresses four basic elements crucial to becoming an effective worship leader: theology, discipleship, artistry, and leadership. This book also considers the dynamics of building and leading a worship team and the place of technology in today's worship.
Whether you are a pastor, music director, or worship leader, you will benefit from this simple yet thorough discussion on what it means to lead the body of Christ into a genuine experience of worship.

About the Author

Kevin J. Navarro, former international director for the Continental Singers, has music undergraduate degrees, an M.Div. and a D.Min., and more than eighteen years of experience leading worship in church and parachurch ministries. He is currently a pastor and worship leader at Bethany Evangelical Free Church (EFCA) in Littleton, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books; Reprinted edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801091160
• ISBN-13: 978-0801091162
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #500,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin J. Navarro is the Senior Pastor of Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Centennial, CO and teaches worship studies at Denver Seminary. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Denver Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. Kevin has been married to Susan for 21 years. They are the proud parents of five children. Kevin loves music (particularly jazz...having studied jazz trumpet in undergraduate school), poetry, film, literature, architecture, ethnic cuisine and the visual arts. He also loves to travel.

Kevin's desire is to recover the vision of the pastor theologian. The local church should be the place where we think deeply about God and the issues that are dear to His heart. This should then lead to us revamping our priorities so that we can live out the great commandment (Matt 22:34-40) and the great commission(Matt 28:18-20).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must-Have" for Worship Leaders, March 17, 2002

By 

Robb Redman (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Worship Leader, The (Paperback)

While there's plenty of books on worship, few fall into the "must-have" category for worship leaders. The Complete Worship Leader is one of them. If you only read one book on worship this year, this is it. Author Kevin Navarro is now Senior Pastor of Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Littleton, CO, having served there for several years as the worship leader.

The "worship leader" is a relatively new category of leadership in worship. The roles of pastor, liturgist, organist, choir director and song leader are familiar, but the worship leader is a product of the worship awakening of the past 30 years. In the most in-depth study of the subject to date, Navarro gives us a glimpse at the opportunities and challenges of a worship leader.

A "complete" worship leader excels in several ways, not just in one area. Gone are the days when worship leaders could carry the ministry by their musicianship alone. In this well-written book, Navarro artfully weaves together the four main strands of effective worship ministry leadership: theology, discipleship, artistry and leadership. It's easy to see how neglecting any one of these will lead to problems; Navarro shows how we can grow in all of them and keep our balance.

Navarro brings a worship leader's perspective to these issues, and he writes as a worship leader to his peers. He's been there and done that, and offers nuggets of important insight in each of the four areas, as well as specific applications worship leaders will appreciate.

The Complete Worship Leader is an important book for pastors, worship committee and personnel committee members as well. It's a window into the world of worship leaders that reveals the unique challenges they face, and suggests helpful ways the rest of us can encourage them.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST Read for Worship Leaders, December 25, 2004

By 

K. D. Easton (Highlands Ranch, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Worship Leader, The (Paperback)

This book truly is "complete" is discussing what it means to be a worshipper as well as a worship leader. The thoroughness of thought and subject matter, the logical progression from fundementals of faith to form and expression, and the readability of this book make it an absolute MUST for anyone desiring to grow in their understanding and expression of worship. I have loaned my copy out several times only to have it returned with the comment "I have to buy my own!"

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all!, September 29, 2003

By 

Michael A. Smith (Lakewood, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Worship Leader, The (Paperback)

As a professional worship director, a seminary student and a student of worship, I have read any number of books on the topic of worship. Kevin Navarro's book ranks, without question, as one of the best.
"Complete" is the right word to use in reference to this book. Kevin manages to squeeze a wealth of information into a relatively short, easy and engaging read. The chapters on musical direction alone can be used as a handy reference book, invaluable to have available in a church staff office. The sections on theology, discipleship and leadership are equally spot-on; Kevin readily points out the elements which are truly needed in today's church environment. Best of all, Kevin's heart for worship is evident throughout.
I would highly recommend this book, not just to professional worship directors, but to anyone who accepts the challenge of leading a congregation into the presence of the living God.