The Art of Worship

Paxson Jeancake's The Art of Worship invites readers to explore the intersection of gospel, art, and worship. In the midst of corporate worship--through the artistic media of story, imagery, and expression--people's eyes can be opened to the beautiful, paradoxical truth of the gospel. Gospel-centered worship, however, does not happen in a vacuum. It is crafted and facilitated by human leadership, informed by biblical inquiry and theological conclusions, and fleshed out in the context of a local culture and community. This book explores all of these various facets of worship to help worship leaders, worship planners, pastors, and laypeople experience and plan gospel-centered worship that is contextual and creative, for the glory of God and the edification of his people.Paxson's attention to the worship leader's task of thinking like a theologian, laboring like an artist, and shepherding like a pastor is worth far more than the price of this book. This is a book that every pastor, musician, and conscientious layperson should read.--Bart Garrett Lead Pastor,Christ Church of Berkeley, CaliforniaFinally . . . a book on worship which approaches every aspect of our most glorious doxological calling from the perspective of the gospel of God's grace. . . . As my friend and colleague, Paxson gives us rich content without predictable cliche, practical instruction devoid of pragmatic gimmicks, and a passion to glorify God as true worshippers, and not merely satisfy ourselves as selfish consumers. --Scotty SmithFounding Pastor, Christ Community Church, Franklin, TennesseeIn The Art of Worship, Paxson Jeancake presents a compelling case for why story, imagery and experience, lyrical and poetic expression should fill our worship. But more: he offers a handbook of practical wisdom as to how. . . . [T]his is an amazingly simple, extraordinarily profound, and utterly useful book. It deserves a privileged place in every worship leader's tool kit. --Reggie M. KiddProfessor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando,and author of With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our WorshipPaxson H. Jeancake is a worship leader, author, and songwriter. He is the Director of Worship and Arts at East Cobb Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and the founder of Rhythm of Worship--a ministry that seeks to serve the church and cultivate the creative process by providing musical resources, formative teaching, and practical training. He and his wife, Allison, live in Atlanta with their two daughters, Laura Camille and Mallory.