Customer Reviews

Worship Words: Discipling Language for Faithful Ministry (Engaging Worship)

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The authors each bring unique contribution from their area of expertise. Debra Rienstra teaches English at Calvin College, and she therefore offers the penetrating linguistic insights. Ron Rienstra teaches preaching and worship at Western Theological Seminary. What is meant by the phrase "worship words" is clear from the stated purpose: "to help pastors and worship leaders attend carefully to the words used in prayers, songs, sermons, and other spoken elements in worship--and to use words more intentionally" (p. 19). This book, then, is an analysis of and reflection on the all the words we use in various ways worship...both as worship leaders and congregants.

It is obvious that this book comes from the minds of two very committed educators, because each chapter ends with bullet-pointed "Summary Calls to Action" and "Exercises" for groups and individuals. This is truly above and beyond. They would benefit the reader(s) immensely, but they are not essential to receiving and implementing the essence of their admonitions. Each chapter is also filled with sidebar stories and interesting illustrative tidbits, demarcated by grayed-out boxes. These, too, are the products of educators' minds...always attempting a broad pedagogical impact.

OVERALL COMMENTS

I now have another book to highly recommend to other worship leaders and thinkers (see my recommended reading list)! Never before has a work been dedicated to the broad use of words in worship, and with this fresh perspective, many original and important insights have been offered for ongoing discussions between tensions in worship (e.g. traditional vs. contemporary, formality vs. informality, relevant vs. historical, high-church vs. low church). The angle of "worship words," furthermore transcends discussions about merely music or merely liturgical structure or merely practical how-to's. It really does cover it all. Overall, I also appreciate the affirming spirit of this work. It attempts to rise above stylistic, liturgical, and denominational "tribalism" that often plagues large-scale thoughtful analyses of Christian worship. Worship Words is able at once to affirm Christian worship traditions across the board and yet lovingly offer constructive criticism. The generous spirit of the authors was all the more apparent to me, having read T. David Gordon's Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns alongside it (Gordon's work, in my opinion, has the opposite spirit--polemical and un-affirming). This book will be one that I will re-visit again and again, because its insights are fresh and dynamic, and it stirs my own creative thinking. It also provides some very helpful ideas which, when implemented, will benefit my own ministry of worship and bless the people I serve.

For chapter summaries and more, see:
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This book will enable worship planners and leaders to lead worship in a way that truly encourages deeper spiritual growth as well as excellent worship. It's amazing how a book with so much depth could yet be so accessible, practical and even entertaining.

This is not a book that was written on a free weekend at a spa. Nor was it written in "an ivory tower." This book is the result of many experiences and study. I found that I was either underlining or starring two to three sentences or paragraphs per page. Often I found myself re-reading a page because of its importance or its applicability. This book contains many valuable thoughts regarding words and why they matter in our private and public times of worship.

Dr. Philip Blycker
Dept. of Sacred Music
Seminario Biblico Rio Grande
Edinburg, TX 78539

I am not a musician in any since of the word. I have had nothing to do with worship in church except for sitting in the congregation. So when a hymn writing class started at church, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and participate.
This book is used in the class. I must admit that I read way ahead of the class because everything resonated with me. Worship was a lacking discipline in my life and still is. But this book is going a long way to turn that around.