Return to Worship: A God-Centered Approach [Paperback]

Ron Owens (Author), Jan McMurray (Collaborator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

Through "letters" addressed to the church and to worship leaders, Return to Worship looks at worship in light of what Scripture says and illustrates. It looks at the fundamentals necessary for the offering to God of that which is acceptable to Him. It gives help for the restoration of authentic worship to those churches that do a lot of celebrating but little true worshiping.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henry Blackaby is founder and president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries International, an organization built to help people experience God. Born in British Columbia, he coauthored the modern classic Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God (more than seven million books and Bible studies sold), and his other acclaimed works include Spiritual Leadership, Fresh Encounter, and A God Centered Church. He and his wife have five children, fourteen grandchildren, and live in Rex, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805418881
• ISBN-13: 978-0805418880
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ron Owens has traveled the world for over 40 years with his wife Patricia, gratefully serving where the Lord has opened doors for them. In North America they continue to minister in conferences, churches, seminaries and colleges. Their focus includes Ron's preaching and teaching on the subjects of Worship and Revival as well as their joint ministry through music and composition. In more recent years, their overseas work was focused primarily on the lands of Russia where they have helped direct the training of worship leaders and musicians for the churches of Eastern Europe. Many of their songs, and their music dramas, Paid In Full and The Christmas Lamb, are being used in churches and theaters of the former Soviet Union where they are proving to be an effective tool in the sharing of the gospel. Ron and Patricia have been a collaborative team for many years. Ron writes most of the poetry for their songs and Patricia writes and arranges the music; however there are occasions when Ron provides some melodic material for their songs and times when Patricia provides some song lyrics. In addition to their collaborative musical efforts, Ron is a published author. He has produced two works on the subject of Worship, written several biographies and is currently working on additional writing projects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Prophetic Challenge Concerning Worship, August 8, 2001

By 

Randal R. Huber (York Springs, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Worship: A God-Centered Approach (Paperback)

Convicting and prophetic, Ron Owens challenges pastors, worship leaders, choirs and congregations to ask hard questions about their worship. Owens writes thirty-seven "letters" addressing key issues facing worshippers today. Return to Worship is unashamedly biblical. Owens calls the reader to keep God absolutely central in worship. Here are some of his more convicting concepts. One of the root problems in worship is: "We don't know our God" (1999:9). "The church today is being shaped more by our culture than by the cross" (1999:21). "...How we respond to what comes to us each day most clearly reveals whether we are worshippers at heart" (1999:42). "There is no redemption without an attitude of worship" (1999:47). "We cannot claim for ourselves the glory that belongs to God alone and expect our worship to be acceptable to Him" (1999:54). "Some pastors view their responsibility as: "to keep everybody happy rather than pointing the people to God and teaching them to be holy" (1999:58). "No revival in history has begun with a self-satisfied people" (1999:68). "He who will not serve does not worship" (1999:71). "Research has shown that much of the growth of our larger churches has been at the expense of smaller churches" (1999:79). "Often the only scripture read during the gathering is the few verses read by a pastor before he preaches" (1999:99). "Use the choruses but don't deny this generation the riches of its past" (1999:107). "We are not called to be entertainers of the people; we are called to be ministers of the gospel" (1999:137). Additionally, in Appendix 3, Owens includes a 19th century list of 24 questions to ask in preparation for the Lord's Supper. This book brims full of wisdom and insight. I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prophetic Words for Todays Worship Leaders, September 16, 2001

By 

Mark S Krenz (Anderson, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Worship: A God-Centered Approach (Paperback)

This diverse collection of letters by Ron Owens to the church and various individuals and leaders of worship is challenging, gut-honest, and inspiring. Owens takes an honest look at worship in the church of America today and is calling the church to a higher standard. He helps us look beneath the surface issues of worship styles and music programs to the heart of worship.

Owen's fundamental starting points are that God alone is worthy of our worship, and that we were created to worship God. Worship begins and ends with the sovereign Lord. We must learn to come to God on his terms and embody this worship in our everyday lives.

While the letters in part one of this book address the church and its worship, the letters in part two are addressed to worship leaders. These letters take on a more practical tone and offer great wisdom regarding worship issues ranging from how we should understand and practice baptism and communion to the appropriate place of applause in worship.

This book is a wonderful resource for worship leaders not only for personal and professional challenge, but for use with worship boards, teams, and choirs. These letters are thought-provoking and convicting and could inspire tremendous change in the hearts of readers willing to make changes in their worship of God.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeping the Focus of Worship on God, September 10, 2001

By 

Michael D. Hone (Hickory, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Worship: A God-Centered Approach (Paperback)

In "Return to Worship" Owens writes thirty-seven "letters" to the church, worship leaders, pastors, and ministers of music. The letters express a deep love and passion for worship and addresses concerns facing the church today in relation to worship. Owens' letter-writing style creates a sense of personal identification. It is as if the author addressed these letters to me! Owens calls the church to focus upon God and forms of worship must not cloud that focus. In fact, Owens confronts the issue of music in worship and says, "to many, worship is music, and music is worship, and many worship music" (1999:6).

Broad ranges of issues are addressed including music, audiovisuals, sacraments, applause in worship and many others. In addition to raising these practical concerns for worship Owens concludes with four helpful appendixes (a choir covenant, a checklist for worship leaders, twenty-four questions to ask yourself in preparation for the Lord's Supper, and an article entitled "When Church Was Just Church: Worship Center or Theatre?").

"Return to Worship" is a wonderfully practical book; a must-read for pastors and those responsible for providing worship leadership in the local church.