The Art of Worship: A Musician's Guide to Leading Modern Worship

by Greg Scheer

Overview

Contemporary worship continues to gain strength as the form of worship of choice for many churches across the country. The Art of Worship is a complete resource to which a musician or pastor can turn when asked to lead contemporary music. It provides in-depth instruction to every aspect of contemporary worship leadership—from assembling the team to choosing the music to conducting rehearsals. Author Greg Scheer takes a balanced, holistic approach, embracing the contemporary style without denying older traditions and encouraging excellence without ignoring the realities of the local church context. Worship team leaders, musicians, and pastors looking for a quality, comprehensive resource need look no further.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801067099
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/01/2006
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Greg Scheer (M.A., University of Pittsburgh) is a composer, church musician, and choir and music director who has served in several churches. He was director of music ministries and a professor at Northwestern College (Iowa) for five years. Scheer is currently minister of worship at Church of the Servant (CRC) and a music associate with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, both in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Introduction: My Journey into Worship (Or, Confessions of a Failed Rock Star)     9
About This Book     11
Defining the Terms     12
Setting the Stage     17
Assess Your Church's Situation     18
Spread the Vision     24
Attend to Details     27
Assembling the Team     33
Recruiting     33
Interviewing     38
Establishing a New Worship Team     49
Building Repertoire     55
Repertoire Is Theology     55
Analyzing Repertoire     56
Evaluating Song Quality     60
Finding New Praise Songs     72
Introducing New Music     82
Planning Worship     87
The Art of Worship     87
Understanding Service Structure     88
Adapting Structure and Style     97
Practical Worship-Planning Techniques     105
Modulation Types     112
Making Music     121
The Role of the Worship Team     121
Vocalists     124
Vocal Harmony     130
Guitar     138
Piano     143
Bass     147
Drums     151
Brass, Woodwinds, and Strings     157
Key boards     162
Using What God Has Given You     167
Informing Your Ear     167
Putting It All Together     168
Timeless Hymns in a Contemporary Context     181
A Case for Context     181
Study the Original Hymn's Text     183
Study the Original Hymn's Music     184
Establish the Groove     187
Change Chords     188
Embellish     190
Rehearsing and Leading     191
Preparing for Rehearsal     191
Rehearsing     199
Leading Worship     205
Looking to the Future     211
A New Generation of Worshipers     211
The Next Generation of Worship Leaders     214
Notes     219