Customer Reviews

The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church

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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

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.

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!

This is the author, Barry Liesch, writing. Just a note on the changes in the expanded edition. Chapters 1, 2, 6, 10, and 11 are new or virtually new. All the other chapters (16 in all) are enhanced too. This version is much stronger, both theologically and practically.

It has a greater appeal to college-age worship leaders. It's more incisive. It also links up with the web site I've partnered, offering many supplemental materials with ongoing updates--see worshipinfo.com. Baker Books has done an exemplary job with the layout--lots of diagrams, tables, illustrative drawings for the eye. In short, I'm pleased with the result and hope you will be too.

This book showed me so many enlightened and educated views on controversal topics of Worship. This book also covers most of the basics of most types of worship services. Its a great book and everyone in a worship band or in leadership should make it a point to read this as part of their job.

I definitely recommend this book to worship leaders and pastors. It's a smooth read, interesting, and very useful. It's not very expensive and the author himself is very qualified and has a great humble heart. I think this book could help a lot of churches with some problems they face weekly between worship leaders, pastors, and their congregations. Read it.

This book is a real treasure trove of information. Great insight on many different styles of worship without any favoritism towards any one style. I recommend this book to anyone whose plans, or assists in planning worship.

This book is timely. Carifying of my own opinions and experience while offering new insights and practical application. Obviously established on experience and observation as well as Biblical principles (I also read the author's other book, People in the Presence of God, for more theological background). An insightful resource, easy to read and understand.