O Come, Let Us Worship: Corporate Worship in the Evangelical Church

by Robert G. Rayburn

Book by Rayburn, Robert Gibson

Genres: Church, Theology

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Robert Gibson Rayburn

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson]

Great.

[Evan Kvale]

Rayburn's book is a helpful reminder that worship is first and foremost about the worship of God, not the feeling or experience of the worshiper (28). His two main principles, that worship is a dialogue and an offering (118, 132), though simple, are incredibly helpful and ought to be taught clearly to every worshipper. These principles guide the shape of the liturgy, and ultimately, the whole of Rayburn's book.
Rayburn is rightfully concerned that worship be in spirit and truth, and this leads him to do all within his power to push back against mere religious formalism, or vain repetition. Although I agree heartily with Rayburn that vain repetition is the enemy of true worship, I wonder if his reluctance to commit to a set liturgy is a helpful remedy. For example, he advises against an "inflexible order of worship" (161), weekly use of the Lord's Prayer (201), and other such things: "Nothing that is used every Sunday can retain its freshness an deep meaning" (218). The problem, however, as he himself would admit, is not in the form, but in the heart of the worshiper. When the prophets called out religious formalism, they did not call for a discontinuation of the form of worship, but for a reengagement of the heart. I think that we ought to follow a similar course. No one would tell a husband to cease telling his wife "I love you" if his heart was lagging behind the statement. The trick is to continue to repeat those words, using them to rekindle the heart. Part of the beauty of "I love you" is in the very fact that it grows with repeated use, rather than diminishing. Its freshness gives way to maturity, but the deep meaning ought only to increase. I suspect that something similar can and should be the case with worship.

[Michael Philliber]

Okay. It may not be the most thrilling book you'll ever read, but it is very useful, well thought out, and instructive. Robert G. Rayburn wrote this volume in the early 1980s as an elder pastor to ministerial students and young ministers. It develops the rationale of seeing the Sunday morning worship assembly not as evangelistic; not as a Christian version of a Tupperware party; but as a time when Christians gather in dialogical adoration of God. Rayburn gives many persuasive reasons and reflections on how to see each element of worship in this way. He does write from a Presbyterian and Reformed perspective, but he draws on church history, the Book of Common Prayer, and other traditions. And most of all, he is guided by the sacred Scriptures.

This volume should be read as if you were sitting down with an older Christian minister who is graciously coaching you as a worship leader and as a pastor. In the end, you may not embrace everything he recommends, but you will see the worship assembly in a new light and find yourself often pondering, "How is what I'm putting together for this Sunday, worship?" And parishioners will find themselves much more appreciative of the Sunday morning worship time than they have in the past, "Oh. That's why we do this. That's why we say that." I happily recommend this volume for ministers, worship leaders and congregants alike.

[Tim Miller]

While I found the first section on worship in the OT and NT to be a little more than what I was interested in, I thoroughly enjoyed the last 2/3 of the book focused on common worship, Liturgy, hymnody, and special services. There is much to profit from here in terms of best practices, history, and thought provocation. It will leave a lasting influence on my perspective of worship.

[Tom]

So much of this book is so excellent as a call to worship God in spirit and in truth. Especially good are the two chapters on order of worship. What warranted the 4-star rating is there are a few too many comments that are preferences without adequate scriptural support. For example, there is a treatment of what the congregation should partake of the Lord's Supper at the same time or each as they are served. Raymond's preference is stated with rather weak argument and he seems to push to make his preference the only way with very weak scriptural support. That said, most in evangelicalism would benefit tremendously from reading this book.

[Mike the Magnificient]

This is a classic text on Christian worship, what it means and how it ought to be done. Published in 1980, there are portions that come off as dated, but most of the book is of value (both theologically and practically) to the modern reader.

As a worship leader myself, I found the book to most beneficial in helping me to construct a lucid philosophy of corporate worship as well as immediately incorporating a number of suggestions into my worship planning. If you are involved in the worship ministry of your church, or you desire to be an informed worshipper, you must read this book.