"Tom Kraeuter is one of the most prolific authors and teachers on the contemporary worship scene today. His books are available worldwide in multiple languages. Tom's biblical, practical teaching transcends denominational lines. Nearly 20,000 people have attended his worship seminars, retreats, and conferences in churches all across North America. Many churches are considering a change in worship style--or they are in the midst of one. How can congregations walk together through a successful worship transition? Based on solid scriptural principles and the experiences of scores of churches, this wealth of tested solutions and steadfast counsel equips believers with answers that will make a difference.
Preacher and teacher David Mosser offers practical and spiritual guidance for pastors struggling to manage and respond to changes in the economy, changes in their neighborhoods, changes in their denominations, changes in the congregation, changes in culture, and the life changes present in every parishioner's life. Wise words from authors such as Alyce McKenzie, David Buttrick, Joanna Adams, and Thomas Long all contribute to this most timely and helpful book.
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.
"Designed as a practical and deeply spiritual guide for congregations facing pastoral transition, this new book from experienced transitional pastor and consultant on interim ministry, Rev. Dr. Marcia Bailey, uses the framework of the Christian worship service to help church leaders usher their faith community through a process of honoring the past, healing the present, and discerning the future. Includes worship resources for each stage in the transitional season, from bidding farewell and processing grief related to the outgoing minister, to celebrating the gifts of community and anticipating the next stage in the congregation's life together"--
How can a church best respond when their priest tells them “I’m retiring,” or “I’ve been called to another parish?” This book outlines to receiving a new ordained leader, recognizing that every parish is different. Discerning exactly what your parish needs can be both a challenge and a joy, and On the Emmaus Road affirms that you can listen to God’s voice while attending to other day-to-day tasks. Based upon several years of doctoral research into the work of search committees in the Diocese of Virginia, this book has been refined through the experience of using its new methodologies in over seventy-five calls. With both traditional and creative new approaches to the clergy search process, Thorpe gives a wealth of resources for your parish to not only survive the days to come, but thrive in the midst of them.
Here is practical, to the point teaching that makes the ministry of praise and worship approachable. Local churches will benefit immensely from these proven ideas and helpful tools.
No matter how great Sunday's worship service was, there's always another Sunday lurking at the end of the next week that must be planned. Church leaders often fall into ruts, working on automatic pilot just trying to get things together, which does not allow for much creativity or focus on designing services that lead to transformation for those involved in them. Engage is a step-by-step, stress-free guide to planning worship services that allow for and foster true life change. Comprehensive in scope, Engage provides teaching pastors, worship leaders, and volunteers with the tools they need to work together to develop and implement a worship planning system that improves communication, enhances creativity, and honors Jesus every week.
"Tom Kraeuter is one of the most prolific authors and teachers on the contemporary worship scene today. His books are available worldwide in multiple languages. Tom's biblical, practical teaching transcends denominational lines. Nearly 20,000 people have attended his worship seminars, retreats, and conferences in churches all across North America. Drawing on his extensive experience as a worship leader, a worship seminar speaker, and an author, Tom Kraeuter tackles difficult issues involved with worship leading in an insightful, practical question-and-answer format.
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.
