In Reverence and Awe

Book excerpt: Are you directing worship songs--or leading true, reverential worship? While talented professionals have changed the landscape of worship music forever, in many smaller churches and ethnic congregations, volunteers or pastors with limited musical training try to maximize the talents and accommodate the inexperience of their own worship teams. In Reverence and Awe is a comprehensive guide to the challenges and opportunities of worship leadership with a special focus on small-church settings. Pastor Enoch Liao (enochliao.com), raised in LA and educated at UCLA, preaches and teaches at Boston Chinese Evangelical Church. Inspired by his service in both preaching and worship positions, Pastor Enoch writes regularly on leadership, life, and ministry, especially regarding Chinese American and Asian American contexts. From his many years of experience, Pastor Enoch shares insights that will help any worship leader lead with God-honoring excellence, including how to: Effectively plan, prepare, and rehearse a weekly order of worship--including songs, sets, movements, and transitions Train worship leaders who lack musical skill and disciple musicians who lack spiritual leadership Unite as a team with the lead pastor, vocalists, A/V techs, instrumentalists, and a diverse congregation Capably manage other aspects of worship, such as prayer, Scripture reading, and technical issues Understand and serve your specific congregation's needs based on their heritage, geographical location, and cultural identity Each chapter concludes with application-focused questions to prepare your heart, self-evaluate your ministry, and begin a course of definitive progress in your church's corporate worship of our awesome God! Are you ready to start leading, true reverential worship? Whether you're a lay volunteer suddenly asked to "lead the singing," or a trained but frustrated worship leader in a small church resistant to change, In Reverence and Awe: The Practice of Leading Worship with Excellence offers invaluable perspective, wisdom, and hands-on support that will encourage, inspire, and better prepare you to lead your church in honoring God through worship.