Worship Matters (Foreword by Paul Baloche) (eBook)

“The moment I met Bob Kauflin I liked him (a lot!). The more I have gotten to know him, the more I have respected and appreciated him. The more I have listened to and read him on the subject of the corporate worship of our gracious God, the more I have been edified, instructed, humbled, and helped. Whether you are a choir director or minister of music in a congregation with a more traditional form of public worship or a worship team leader in a church with a more contemporary style or a pastor trying to think hard (and biblically) about congregational worship or a Christian wanting to make sure you understand the privilege of ‘giving to the Lord the glory due his name in the company of the saints’ in a way that helpfully prepares you to do just that, this book will be a blessing to you (as it already has been to me). The things that Bob addresses here transcend style and situation and point us to enduring and universal Christian priorities. I love the wisdom—the Christ-exalting, gospel-derived wisdom—displayed in the challenge Bob asks us to consider, the important things he calls us to, the tasks he reminds us of, the tensions that he bids us hold, and the right relationships he exhorts us to embrace. Very wise. Very timely. Profoundly biblical, theological, devotional, pastoral, and practical. Thanks, Bob. I am your debtor once again.”

—LIGON DUNCAN, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church,
Jackson, Mississippi; President, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals;
Adjunct Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Humility. Self-deprecating humor. Practical wisdom. And not just for music leaders. What a refreshing read! I’ve gained from Bob Kauflin, and if you read this, you will too. Clearly structured, well illustrated, engagingly written, biblically saturated, theologically careful, this book gives us a rich treatise on how we can follow Christ ourselves and call others to do the same. This book helps musicians, pastors, elders, and other Christians understand better what we’re called to do when we’re together.”

—MARK DEVER, Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church;
head of 9Marks Ministries

“God is seeking those who worship him in spirit and in truth. Bob Kauflin is a man whose passion for true worship is both infectious and instructive. In Worship Matters he offers profound and powerful observations about the task of leading God’s people in worship—observations missing from much of the conversation about worship today. Bob Kauflin is driven by a passion for God’s glory, and his reflections on music and worship are grounded in biblical truth and keen theological insight. In a day of such confusion about worship, I welcome this important book.”

—R. ALBERT MOHLER JR., President, The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

“For some years Sovereign Grace Ministries has blessed the church with music that greatly enhances worship. I have been moved especially by their music CDs, which combine solid biblical doctrine, music skillfully played and sung, and a great passion for Christ. One rarely finds these qualities combined with such balance. That is a gift of God’s grace, but also (by God’s grace) the result of careful thinking. Now we have access to that thinking, in Bob Kauflin’s wonderful Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God. This book is thoroughly biblical, comprehensive, balanced, clear, and engaging. Worship leaders must read it, and it will be a great help to anyone interested in finding out what biblical worship is about and how to worship from the heart.”

—JOHN FRAME, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy,
Reformed Theological Seminary

“In every conversation or correspondence I’ve had with Bob Kauflin, one thing always shines through—a burning desire to ‘get it right’ when it comes to the worship of God. Bob loves God, values theology, and cares about people. This mix is found throughout this wonderful and helpful book. Worship Matters will inspire you as a worshiper and spur you on as a leader of worship.”

—MATT REDMAN, lead worshiper and song-writer, Brighton, UK

“Here is a rare book: a practical treatment of corporate worship that nevertheless reflects deep theological commitments. One may disagree here and there with some of the judgments, but it is demonstrably unfair to imagine that Bob Kauflin has not thought about these matters deeply—and he has done so in a context where he is teaching a new generation to take corporate worship seriously in a fashion that is simultaneously biblically faithful and addressing today’s culture.”

—D. A. CARSON, Research Professor of New Testament,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Bob Kauflin has written an amazingly rich and wise book on worship. It is biblical, Christ-honoring, relevant, practical, enjoyable, and everything else I could have asked for. It’s full of tested insights, coming out of the author’s disciplined contemplation and long experience as a leader among worship leaders. I know and respect Bob and have thoroughly enjoyed following his lead in worshiping our Lord. Bob lives what he writes; so his emphasis on character, integrity, and humility has credibility. I enthusiastically recommend this book to all who wish to cultivate in our churches deeper and more Christ-centered worship.”

—RANDY ALCORN, author of Heaven and The Treasure Principle:
Unlocking the Secrets of Joyful Giving

“Rich and glorious theology, discerning and judicious insight, faithful and seasoned experience, practical and humble wisdom—these are some of the marked qualities of Bob Kauflin’s treasure trove, Worship Matters . With deep concern both for the rightful glory of God and for the edification of God’s people through responsible and heart-felt worship, Kauflin provides an array of insights and instruction covering many practical issues, all of which are wrapped in an overarching theology of the triune God, the gospel of grace, and the centrality of the cross. What a needed contribution to our understanding of the nature and practice of worship. May the vision of God and the model of worship conveyed by Kauflin spread widely and enrich many churches, for the glory of God’s great name.”

—BRUCE WARE, Professor of Christian Theology, Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary

“Bob Kauflin is my favorite worship leader, but for reasons that may be surprising to some. Sure, he is an exceptional pianist, songwriter, pastor, and leader, but it’s his humility and heart to serve that sets him apart. I know of no man more qualified to write this book than Bob. And I know of no more important, useful work for those who would lead God’s people in worship than Worship Matters.”

—C. J. MAHANEY, Sovereign Grace Ministries

“I’ve known Bob Kauflin for many years, and he is truly a remarkable man. First, he’s tall—really tall. Second, he manages to combine a widely-read, biblically grounded, deep-thinking spiritual maturity with enthusiasm, passion, and a depth of commitment that puts me to shame. That’s a pretty powerful combination in one man. When he told me he was writing a book on worship, I was excited. And I have not been disappointed. Bob’s approach is humble, yet authoritative; comprehensive, yet inspirational. And if you take his gentle but clear teaching on board, it will help make you fully equipped in mind, heart, and spirit to lead others in worship. I wholeheartedly recommend it.”

—STUART TOWNSEND, Christian song-writer

“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 fellow shipped with him; we e-mail each other somewhat regularly. He has always been ointment to my battered and redeemed life, and his personal example continues to humble me. But this book above all rings true because Bob rings true to his God, his Word, his Son, his Spirit, and God’s relentless desire for the nations through the completed work of his only Son. Thus, page after page Bob brings his work under the scrutiny of the Word; he summons the worship and music of the people of God to its commandments, instructions, and promises, and he does so with clarity and order. So what he says in his book and how he lives his personal and vocational life are entirely consonant. Worship Matters should matter deeply to those for whom it is primarily written: young, eager, Christ-centered musician-leaders—people who, at least for the present, are called worship leaders and on whose shoulders a heavy burden has been thrust. The author’s wisdom shows continually. His ability to simplify the complex without cheapening it; his rich artistic eclecticism; his love for great music; his insistence on theological and doctrinal literacy; his respect for church history and its various worship and musical dialects; his passion for sensible speech, rich prayer, soul-deepening books; and his obvious freedom from the very practices to which he gives his attention—in this case, contemporary worship leading—these together make this a necessary book. Were the young to read it honestly and be deeply changed by it, were the old to see in it something beyond the ‘contemporary,’ were all of us to under-stand that new, old, and everything in between have no life in themselves and must be continually rescued both from self-conscious novelty and self-preserving stodginess, that would bring much needed reform to the unnecessarily confused worlds of worship and music making.”

—HAROLD M. BEST, author of Music Through the Eyes of Faith and
Unceasing...