Is there a way to do the prescribed or suggested orders of worship from denominational worship resources—such as the United Methodist Book of Worship, Evangelical Lutheran Book of Worship, the Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or the Book of Common Prayer—in a way that feels legitimately and authentically contemporary? This practical, how-to book will help churches plan and implement passionate and invigorating worship. Step by step, author Lester Ruth and contributors Zachary Barnes, Andrew Eastes, Jonathan Ottaway, Adam Perez, Glenn Stallsmith and Deborah Wong break down the process of re-thinking what the official or recommended order of worship is truly suggesting, so pastors and worship leaders can plan and lead a service of Word and Table that feels genuinely relevant and attuned to the congregation’s culture. With this goal, Flow casts a new, but classic, understanding of traditional worship as well as spurs a reconsideration of how contemporary worship can be done by honoring the traditions of denominational congregations.

Transitions happen. Song to song. Music to preaching. Prayer to offering. They happen. And they can happen just how they happen, or they can happen according to a plan. An unplanned transition is at best a speed bump; at its worst it's a train wreck. When we don't plan a transition, we put a period in where a comma should be. Or a gasp where a gentle inhaled breath should be. Or a fence instead of a gate. Or, well, you get the picture. (Worship Flow, page 5) You've got about an hour once a week to engage, encourage, challenge and lead your gathered congregation. Don't waste the opportunity by distracting them with clumsy transitions and awkward silence. Your transitions matter. Don't leave them up to chance. Great segues intentionally move people along the journey of worship. Poorly planned transitions jar people out of the moment they were instead of guiding them seamlessly to the next. Worship Flow: 28 Ways To Create Great Segues is a quick, easy-to-read resource for worship leaders and pastors who plan services. In these 28 segues, Jon covers how to move in and out of all the common elements of worship-music, prayer, scripture, offering, announcements, messages, communion, and more. Best of all, this isn't another book you'll feel like you need to read cover-to-cover. It's a worship planner's "desk reference" for service transitions. Each section focus on a different service elements, and each chapter is focused on a specific segue to move in and out of those elements. So don't let your transitions between service elements be the thing that keeps people from focusing on what really matters in your worship gathering.

Daniel's story is one of extraordinary faith in God lived out at the pinnacle of executive power. It tells of four teenage friends, born in the tiny state of Judah about twenty-six centuries ago, but captured by Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of Babylon. Daniel describes how they eventually rose to the top echelons of administration. Daniel and his friends did not simply maintain their private devotion to God; they maintained a high-profile witness in a pluralistic society antagonistic to their faith. That is why their story has such a powerful message for us. Society tolerates the practice of Christianity in private and in church services, but it increasingly deprecates public witness. If Daniel and his compatriots were with us today they would be in the vanguard of the public debate. What was it that gave that ancient foursome, Daniel and his three friends, the strength and conviction to be prepared, often at great risk, to swim against the flow?

Worship That Pleases God: The Passion and Reason of True Worship is a comprehensive book ranging far beyond the sanctuary to the private altar, to the heart of the worshiper and even to the workplace. Whole-life worship is the kind that pleases God. "...let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praiseÉAnd do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:15, 16 NIV). A worship leader for more than thirty years, Dr. Phifer, brings a passionate writing style and sound biblical interpretation to this search for the meaning of "spirit and truth" worship (John 4:24). Dr. Phifer believes that True Worship establishes the Kingdom of God in our hearts, our homes, our places of worship as well as in the workplace and the marketplace. This book is about much more than what happens on Sunday morning. "Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit," the three characteristics of the Kingdom of God found in Romans 14:17, form the themes of each section of the book. Section One, Righteousness, deals with a biblical theology of worship. Dr. Phifer offers biblical definitions for the essential elements of worship and he presents seven biblical models for worship. Section Two, Peace, presents the priority of worship as the factor of church life that is intended to bind generations and cultures together in a bond of peace. Section Three, Joy, treats the daily life of the believer dealing with issues of craftsmanship, creativity and the spiritual warfare of private worship. Paul urged the Roman church to "...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (of worship)" (Rom 12:1 NKJV [NIV]). Worship That Pleases God is a passionate book presenting that reasonable service of worship to God.

The Complete Worship Ministry Handbook by pastor and former worship leader, Andrew G. Robbins, is an extensive training resource for worship leaders, worship team members, and church members alike. Laying the foundation in the first section of the book by exploring the proper understanding and practice of true Biblical worship compared to cultural innovations, the author then turns the focus in the next two sections to worship ministry teams. Section 2 provides practical instruction to worship team members for serving God and their churches with their talents, and Section 3 provides instruction to worship leaders and ministry directors to help streamline their efforts and avoid many of the landmines associated with worship ministry leadership.

Worship is an integral element of the typical church worship service. Yet no church formulates worship quite the same way. It seems that each church has its own style, culture, and worship personality. With all the differences in worship today, what makes up a true worship service? How do we know that worship is being done in a Biblical way? Worship leaders come in all shapes and sizes. What are the true functions of a worship leader? What does the Bible say about leading worship? How does worship leadership look that is pleasing to God? Worship is the place where the tangible presence of God comes down and reaches human beings. When true worship comes down to earth, it brings the presence of God. It is Jehovah God coming to earth to meet with His creation. Humans reaching up and into the presence of God can bring down whatever it is that is needed for life, health, goodness, healing, and wholeness. Whatever we need is in the presence and the glory of God. The Wonder of Worship is designed to teach tools to develop the talent and the gifting that comes with a worship leader. However, just because you are not called to be a worship leader doesn’t mean you cannot learn how to be a better worshipper within these pages. This book will take you into the presence of God. It is a must-read for anyone who desires to glean, learn, grow, and become the best worshipper you can be on this earth in preparation for the eternal worship service that we someday will be joining.