I started reading Kauflin’s book, with the expectation that what I was about to read, would be geared mostly toward Worship Pastor’s–those minister’s whose calling and responsibilities encompass the music/drama/worship service details of a church body. I was wrong. While obviously that audience is the primary target, I found the material to be hugely engaging, theologically sound, and hugely educational for a person such as myself, a lay member involved in the music/worship ministry of our church. Kauflin seems to cover all details, big and small, that make up a sound worship ministry. He truly gives credence to his title “Worship Matters.” It matters because it is commanded. It matters because it is Biblical. It matters because God delights in it. We must be professional in our attention to details, while open to flexibility and sensitive to what is happening in the moment. We must examine our hearts, our motives, our plans to make sure they are Christ centered, to make sure they are scriptural centered.
Kauflin has written an easy to read, thought provoking treatise on worship, out of his own personal experiences and wealth of knowledge. I am grateful for his willingness to share his thoughts and by doing so, bolster a continuing dialogue in our churches to emphasize that worship is not just the music on a Sunday morning, nor is it a battle between contemporary verses traditional styles of worship. Rather, it is the all encompassing meeting of the church, to worship God through music, prayer, tithes, scripture, Biblical preaching and responsiveness to God. It is all worship, we would do well to remember that more often, as Kauflin urges his readers to do just that.
