Bob Kauflin's New Book, Tons Of Great Blogs, And Harold Best Comes To Sojourn

Worship Matters, by Bob Kauflin, is one of my favorite books so far in 2008.  I was going to write a full review of it, but you know what?  I can do a pretty good record review, but when it comes to books, I’m certainly no Tim Challies. 

So instead of writing a meandering review that fails to communicate everything I’d like to communicate, I’ve decided to add this to my small list of books that I revisit from time to time in blog columns, quoting a few sentences here and there to remind myself and those of you who have read it of some of the truths expounded upon in the book.  And to convince the rest of you to buy it for yourself (and possibly a worship leader or two in your life).  Here’s something from chapter two:

“… I want to make it clear from the start that worship isn’t primarily about music, techniques, liturgies, songs, or methodologies.  It’s about our hearts.  It’s about what and who we love more than anything …

“Jesus said the greatest commandment is this: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:37, emphasis added).  While it’s simplistic to say that worship is love, it’s a fact that what we love most will determine what we genuinely worship.”

Now, there is plenty of discussion and many great tips in Worship Matters regarding music, techniques, liturgies, songs and methodologies.  Yet, he always brings the reader back to the reason behind it all.  Like the author’s mentor and long-time pastor CJ Mahany, he keeps the cross prominent as he describes the task of the corporate worship leader.

Bob Kauflin also has a blog named ”Worship Matters” that is listed in sojournmusic.com’s Helpful Links section.  You can also view it (and keep abreast of updated content) from my public Netvibes page, along with many other great blogs on worship and other issues pertaining to our faith.  Check it out at netvibes.com/bobbygilles.  This page auto-updates any time “Worship Matters,” or any of the other websites adds a new post, since I’ve subscribed to them all through their RSS feeds.

One last bit of news: today I’m at The 930 for the beginning of our Cultivate Beauty festival.   Dr. Harold Best will be speaking at a noon luncheon on ”Art for the Church and Art From the Church.” We will also be joined by two pastors whose churches are great examples of churches engaging the arts in their contexts – Martin Ban from Santa Fe and Ed Marcelle from Albany, New York.

Following this, Dr. Best will be speaking to a group of Acts 29 pastors, and then tonight The 930 will present the 2008 Cultivate Beauty gallery exhibit as well as a stellar concert.  Tomorrow, more music, more art, more Harold Best, and a film festival.  Visit the930.org for a lineup of public events (and yes, we will be recording Dr. Best’s lectures for publication here at sojournmusic.com and in our podcast).