The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church [Paperback]

Barry Wayne Liesch (Author), Donald P. Hustad (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

Shows pastors how to balance new worship ideas with the traditional while focusing on the purpose of praise and fellowship.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Changing your worship service doesn't have to be a nightmare.

It is possible to introduce new worship ideas in a way that your congregation, both young and old, can accept. The New Worship, revised and expanded, shows everyone involved in music and worship planning how to smoothly navigate the changes. Gain practical insight that will help guide the entire scope and direction of your worship program and solidify your philosophy of worship as well.

"Only one book speaks with equal authority on issues of worship planning and practice, history, theology, and the spiritual formation of worshipers: The New Worship. It is a treasure trove of fresh insight, research, and some of the most practical worship application available."
--Sally Morgenthaler, author, Worship Evangelism: Inviting Unbelievers into the Presence of God

"A commendable job of carefully listening to the various textual communities within the contemporary landscape while weaving a solid fabric of biblical exegesis and commonsense application."
--Chuck Fromm, Worship Leader magazine

"If you are looking for a succinct and practical guide that touches on the week-to-week issues faced by pastors and worship leaders--this is it."
--Robert Webber, director and founder, The Institute for Worship Studies

"Traditionalists need to understand and appreciate those advocating contemporary styles; contemporary worship leaders must understand and appreciated the traditionalists, too. Liesch provides all the tools to help us in this quest."
--Congregational Leadership --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Barry Liesch is a professor of music at Biola University and has served as music/worship director for a number of churches. He has written People in the Presence of God as well as numerous journal articles. Liesch lives in California. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Baker Pub Group (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801090016
• ISBN-13: 978-0801090011
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,860,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Barry Liesch is Associate Professor of Music at Biola University in La Mirada, CA. He has received his B.M. from the University of British Columbia, his M.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and his Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego. He has served as music director in many different churches.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive guide to contemporary worship practice., August 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church (Paperback)

This is the author, Barry Liesch, writing. My book is writtenfor pastors, musicians, and worship leaders, and everyone interestedin worship renewal. This book is very practical--with theory woven in. It lowers the heat on issues like hymns vs choruses, free-flowing praise, tensions over musical style, worship as performance, new orders of service, implementing change, and staff relations. Fits music into worship theology and ministry. It's used as a text in about 30 colleges and seminaries, and by worship teams worldwide. The high tech-layout contains many helpful charts, and concept icons. Popular in style (conversational) with a scholarly foundation. Took four years to write. You'll get your money's worth. Finally, also check out my other worship book People in the Presence of God, available at amazon. It was nominated for a gold medallion award (best book of the year). It's really gets into what the Bible has to say about worship. Barry Liesch--author of The New Worship

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Mixed Review, January 28, 2010

By 

ChurchMusician1 (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church (Paperback)

I read this book as part of a series of books I picked to read on worship formats, developing music programs, choral programs, and vocal development. I have a part time director of music position and am always looking for ways to improve my ministry at the church. I am a professional musician working in a metropolitan area and as such have two adjunct college positions, a church music position, and until I started turning down work because of my church position was a first call freelance instrumentalist. There were several good discussions in this book however the majority of the book goes into lengthy academic discussions in support or rebuttal of the few ideas that Liesch presents. The ideas that he presents are good overall so I'd still say the book is worth reading however knowing what I know now I would suggest it be near the bottom of the list. Here are briefly the positives and negatives:

Positives- explanation for thoughts and ideas, a handful of truly good ideas for ways to implement contemporary and blended services as well as ways to make them more cohesive, an interesting argument for why worship should be taught in seminary, and why worship musicians and pastors should have an integrated education, a good explanation of how many worship musicians think for the benefit of pastors (and vice-versa), and the book does have the advantage of being written by someone with a music background who is in favor of contemporary/blended services (most others are by high and mighty professors condemning contemporary music).

Negatives- explanations are often extremely long and way more involved than necessary to prove the point (You get the impression he expects no one to believe him so he must argue them into the ground. This was by far my biggest complaint.), entire chapters that after getting bogged down in reading I finally just skimmed or gave up on and skipped so that I would stay awake, and what I found to be the most professionally damaging- an explanation of why churches should not hire professional musicians. My suspicion of this is that Dr. Liesch wanted to protect his own position a bit (if I read his bio correctly a part time music director). As someone who teaches at an institution that grants degrees in church music I found this extremely troubling. Dr. Liesch's argument is that because musicians can't be the sole salvation of a church they should only oversee one area of music ministry in a part time capacity. I know numerous professional church musicians (with outstanding music programs) whose livelihood would be extinct if this statement were true. And while Dr. Liesch argues that only a select few can fulfill a full time church music role I would argue that by making the statement he does he is destroying the profession. I know numerous full time music directors who are extremely competent and versed in a wide variety of musical styles. Most freelance musicians have to handle a wide variety of musical styles from Bach to Beastie Boys. I would put most church musicians in this category as well. Due to philosophy like his many job boards are splitting their music director jobs into multiple individuals. The biggest problem with this is that competent musicians can't afford to take the jobs because they don't allow a living wage. These individuals end up working in other related (and more often non-related) fields. The end result is that often untrained lay people end up in the positions and the music programs tank. I've seen this happen numerous times in my area and the problem has only been compounded by the current economy. Way to go Dr. Leisch for discouraging pastors from hiring fulltime musicians.

As an intelligent being myself I would still recommend reading this book, if only to see viewpoints in opposition to my own, but would recommend the reader take the content with a grain of salt; better make that a bag of salt.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Balance, May 14, 2000

By 

Ben Schoffmann - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church (Paperback)

Barry has now written 2 good books on worship. The heart he has for worship, and his attempt not to alienate anyone truly seeking God are outstanding. It is a shame he has to bend over backwards to keep some from getting upset, but he is willing to do it for God's sake and he is good at it.

There are many practical helps here as well as a good basis for trying new forms and methods. I find his style honest and inviting. I can also personally testify to many of the recommendations given on contemporary, flowing worship styles.

Get this book and have fun exploring God's greatness is worship!