My name is Brooks Ritter and I’m an under-liner. I find it most helpful for whatever I’m reading, if I’m hovering over each word with my favorite Bic ink pen, (the more simple the better, right?!?). One book I’ve been going through in particular that my pen has taken a liking to is, Worship Matters: Leading Others To Encounter The Greatness Of God by Bob Kauflin. I’ve found some very challenging truths in this book that have caused me to look at myself in light of what scripture says about biblical worship, with an out loud, “I’m dead wrong.”
One of my other favorite authors Harold Best writes:
“It rings true! This is how I continually reacted to Worship Matters as I made my way through it. It rings true because Bob Kauflin rings true. I know him; I have worked and fellowshipped with him; we email each other somewhat regularly. He has always been ointment to my battered and redeemed life, and his personal example continues to humble me.”
It is on page 124 that I was brought out onto the street, only to be pulverized by Bob’s grace filled, yet semi-truck sized words. “As a worship leader, I’m not simply playing music— I’m leading.” And just down the page a bit he writes again, “Have you ever noticed how easily your mind can drift when you sing? I can be belting out amazing, God-centered lyrics while thinking about what’s for lunch, the movie I saw Friday night, or absolutely nothing at all. On the outside I appear to be fully committed to worshiping God. On the inside I’m doing anything but.” I wrote right next to these words now darkened with underlines, “I do this all the time!!!!!”
I am thankful for how the Spirit reminds me of my need of Jesus, even while I am singing to Him. I think Martin Luther said, “that even our repentance needs repenting of.” I certainly believe this is true in my life. If you haven’t read this book, please treat yourself and do so.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Brooks, now that is the way to read a book. Thanks for sharing these particular insights. Whether leading worship or participating in the congregation, we are often prone and tempted to be elsewhere in our minds. This is a good reminder to prayerfully focus in on God.
Just finished Bob’s book myself. It was a real blessing to read such a balanced call to present ourselves for worship, to participate in worship, and to do both with a right heart, mind, and spirit. I have been so blessed by Sojourn’s music (my iPod is loaded!). The Christ-centeredness of the music and its edifying nature really set it apart from the majority of “Christian music” out there today.
What really blessed me in the book was the attempt to encourage a “holistic/wholistic” approach to worship in which we bring ALL we are (talents, etc) to worship and receive ALL God is from worship BUT with a purpose…to prepare us to serve, to minister to others, and to complete the Body of Christ so that it is seen by the world as something to be desired (attraction not promotion as the 12-Step programs say!).
Wished I lived close enough to attend Sojourn in person. My children live in Sommerset, KY. Maybe one day I’ll be able to visit them AND Sojourn.