The Art of Worship: Opening Our Eyes to the Beauty of the Gospel

Paxson Jeancakes 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--peoples 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. Paxsons attention to the worship leaders 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 California Finally . . . a book on worship which approaches every aspect of our most glorious doxological calling from the perspective of the gospel of Gods 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 Smith Founding Pastor Christ Community Church Franklin Tennessee In 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 leaders tool kit. --Reggie M. Kidd Professor of New Testament Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando and author of With One Voice: Discovering Christs Song in Our Worship Paxson 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.