Doxology and Theology: How the Gospel Forms the Worship Leader

by Matt Boswell (Editor)

Many in the church see worship leading and theological processing at opposite ends of a big room. Theology is considered the business of pastors and professors, while worship is the business of musicians and rock stars.

But a new wave of young worship leaders is hungry for something different, the desire to think not just pragmatically (sound, charts, guitars) but theologically (the gospel, justice, pastoral ministry) about worship. Likewise, pastors and churches increasingly desire to be led by thoughtful worship leaders who combine doxology and theology.

Doxology and Theology is a resource by worship leaders for worship leaders that clearly articulates how these two pieces join together. Contributions from eleven respected worship leaders around the country including Matt Papa (Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham), Aaron Keyes (Grace Church, Atlanta), Michael Bleecker (The Village Church, Dallas), and Zac Hicks (Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, Denver) unite worship with themes of mission, disciple-making, the Word of God, the Trinity, family, and more.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Music, Christian Living, Leadership, Church, Faith

233 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[steph shrager · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found a few of the chapters to be very beneficial—I was especially moved by Matt Papa’s chapter about the relationship between worship and mission, as well as chapters written by Aaron Ivey and Aaron Keyes. However, the editor’s writings greatly discouraged me, as he stated quite confidently that there is absolutely no place for women in worship leadership. This book is mostly helpful—just skip over the chapters by the editor.

[Shawn McCool · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much good in this book!!! It makes me love God and love the job that I get to do week in and week out. It added fuel to my leader tank :D

I would have given it 5 stars, but there are a couple chapters that fallen leaders (one very recently) have written so that made me sad and distracted.

[Isabell Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super great read. Helped me to hone in and focus on the whys and how’s of doing worship well. Definitely brought up some good questions. I would recommend this to all worship leaders!

[Landon Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 2013, and originally the collected authors seemed to be "on the same page." Reading the book for the first time in 2022, 9 years after publication, this collection of authors seems a bit strained. Especially when one considers some of the developments and trajectories of the churches and ministries represented - this is an interesting collection of voices on the topic of worship. I gave the book 4 stars ... some chapters deserved 2-3 stars, but others were solid 5s. Overall, a helpful and basic introduction to the worship of God's people.

[Jenna Hardister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for school and it was good, I think I just struggled reading it because it is aimed more towards leaders rather than the congregation. Anyone can glean things from this book, but I just struggled with it in some parts.

[Jack Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing in us or done by us, at any stage of our earthly development, because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake, or we cannot ever be accepted at all. This is not true of us only when we believe. It is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be trust as long as we live. Our need of Christ does not cease with our believing; nor does the nature of our relation to Him or to God through Him ever alter, no matter what our attainments in Christian graces or our achievements in behavior may be. It is always on His “blood and righteousness” alone that we can rest.9 The worship leader simultaneously serves a theological and doxological function in the church. This role is approached with humility before God and the people we serve. Leading the body of Christ in worship as Scripture has commanded produces a joy knowing that we are worshipping in light of and underneath the authority of Scripture. - Matt Boswell


brilliant.

[Collin Scribner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some great thoughts on worship, written by a host of different worship leaders. Even though it might not be the ideal resource for the subject, it’d be a sure source of encouragement in the hands of any current worship leader.

Also, I was grieved reading the chapter that Aaron Ivey wrote on justice, knowing the details of his scandal and disqualification. May the Lord remind us all, especially leaders, that we must take careful heed of both our doxology and theology lest we fall into disqualifying sin.

[Luke Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book that offers different perspectives from like minded believers who hold or have held the title of worship leader. The book explains the importance of proper and sound theology (understanding of God) married with orderly and right doxology (praise of God). I recommend this to worship leaders and worshippers alike, I believe those who read this will come away with a renewed desire to worship God for the purpose of bringing Him glory.

[Ryan Gant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being written by several different people, some chapters were better than others. Overall I enjoyed it. Particularly the sections by Matt Boswell and Andi Rozier, although several others were great too. I was challenged by this book in a couple areas of my life and ministry and I am thankful for that!

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work, great story lines, great book. We enjoyed this very much.
Coming from a Christian theological aspect we enjoy our Gospel music and when it lines up with scripture based upon a Worship Leader and Pastor the congregation will be fed thouroughly.

[Mason Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to worship ministry. Not all chapters are exceptional, but the book as a whole helps it's audience to think through most of the key issues.

[Deyling Machado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept but many of the ideas feel forced. Nevertheless, there were good sentences in this book that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

[Jonathan Bradley]

This book was an amazing book! Not only useful and fruitful for worship leaders, but for pastors, lay leaders, and those interested in growing in grace.

[Chase Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. Each contribution by the authors was helpful, but some more so than others. Chapters 4 and 5 specifically so.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the structure of the book: many different authors writing their heart and perspective on poignant worship issues. My favorite chapters were numbers 4 (on the Trinity), 5 (on Mission), 13 (on Singing), and 14 (on the Gospel). The chapters are succinct with their topics--great for sharing with the rest of your team if you are a worship leader. I will refer back to it as I plan services in the future.

The reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is because many of the chapters are directed at such a specific audience. I'm not sure if they expected women to read this book or not, but the remarks on pages 27 & 28 on the editor's idea of a "complementarian view" of worship leading were quite discouraging. Also chapter 12 (Family Worship) is directed mainly at married worship leaders with children.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top Excerpts:

1. One of the greatest needs of the modern church is theologically driven worship leaders. The church is starving for worship leaders who will teach them to sing about the great gospel of Christ in all its richness. This need for theologically driven worship leaders exists in large part because many believe that worship leadership and theological aptitude are mutually exclusive. Theology, they believe, is the occupation of pastors and professors, while worship is the business of church musicians and songwriters. So pastors and professors teach the truth and the worship leaders lead the singing. And because of this, our churches are limping along with people who do not understand that the greatest truths of the gospel have always been designed to cause the greatest praise. (1)

2. Corporate worship in the church serves as a rich time for people to practice Colossians 3:16, as we teach one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Far too often the singing of modern churches is focused more on the sound of the instruments than on the sound of gathered voices raised in proclaiming the worship of God. (10)

3. Worship leaders lead the people of God in the worship of God. Above all things, we ought to be men who pursue growing in the grace and knowledge of God through immersion in the Scriptures. Theology is not reserved for academia and people in ivory towers. Theology is for us. Worship leaders need to be theologians, letting our theology inform our song choices, the liturgy we write, the choice of Scripture to read. If we don’t carefully consider who God is and who we are as His people, our services will be flippant and clumsy. What we believe about God surely shapes our worship of Him. (12)

4. Being emotionally driven is not a personality type, but an immaturity and should be repented of and fought. Pastors should be driven by the Truth. They can be loving, gentle, soft, and caring but not driven by emotion. It is necessary that pastors, who face many problems, pressures, and decisions, be mentally and emotionally stable. James 1:6 describes this state as being “like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” Worship pastors must be stable men who stake their life, joy, and soul on Truth. (31)

5. Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full (or half-full) of artificial admirers. On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship. (44)

6.When we sing together we reflect the Trinity—many disparate voices join together in a harmonic oneness. Trinitarian reflection is prized when we value the corporate voice of the congregation over the sound of the musical instruments pumped at overly high decibels. When our architecture, furniture, and “accessories” reflect our communal and corporate nature, we reflect the Trinity. Think of, for instance, one long pew (or even an open floor) which “joins many into one” versus a row of individual chairs or armed theater seats. Compare rounded, communally oriented sanctuaries versus deep, narrow worship spaces. We reflect the Trinity in how we engage in baptism and the Lord’s Supper by asking how we can make these practices more symbolically communal and less individualistic. (71)

7. People naturally and generously give their time and their voice to the things they love. It’s a deep-rooted, heart-change that is needed, and the only way that change happens is when the glory of Christ shines brighter than the glory of this world. It’s when their heart finally sees Jesus and says, “WOW!” So the question moves from “How do we create missionaries?” to “How does God create missionaries?” God creates missionaries by putting Himself on display, so putting Him and His glory on display must be our aim. (83)

8. We cannot marginalize private time in prayer and the reading of God’s Word into handy tools from which to draw our latest song or sermon. We must eagerly pray and read God’s Word in order to know Him better, worship Him rightly, and let Him change our hearts. (98)

9. We cannot teach what we’re not living, but the opposite is also true; we will naturally teach what we are living. (117)

10. Every worship experience, in its order and content, is an expression of the congregation’s liturgy. It communicates something about your church, your doctrine, and the order of your priorities. (121)

11. People love to play music, even if it’s music that they don’t love, but as pastors and worship leaders, we should learn to pay attention to what they do love. We should learn to prefer their preferences, because it just might give us a window into our congregations’ preferences as well. (146)

12. [S] ee corporate worship as a context for pastoral care. We are not just singing songs. Our desire in worship planning is to pray and plan toward the goal of seeing God’s Word brought home by the Holy Spirit to the hearts of those who are gathered. Our planning should be deeply pastoral in nature. (200)

13. our strongest and deepest emotions should come in relation to the gospel. Nothing should create greater awe in our hearts than God’s glory. Nothing should horrify us more than the depth of our sin. Nothing should be as shocking and amazing than the cross, and nothing should give us more joy than knowing we’re forgiven. (221)

[Pat Nagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as deep or heady as the title would suggest - It's a simple, practical read for every worship leader. Grounded in the Gospel, these worship leaders layout their experiences and challenge the worship leaders that are reading to take their role seriously as more than musicians, but as disciples of Jesus who are called to make disciples. Highly recommend.

[Andrew Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written from much the same theological perspective and set of priorities as Worship Matters, but for me at least offered some more engaging expositions and fresher applications of those ideas. Matt Papa, Stephen Miller, and Aaron Ivey’s chapters (5, 6 & 7) hit especially hard. I very much appreciated Mike Cosper’s comments in chapter 9 about how local churches can empower creativity within instead of outsourcing everything from the handful of mega-church brands that dominate the industry. I think I’m a lot less skeptical of mega-church worship brands than he is (and Sovereign Grace is a mega-church worship brand no less than Hillsong, Elevation and Bethel are) but his comments are valuable. Matt Mason’s observations in chapter 13 about the biblical idea of Christ singing in the praises of his people resonates deeply with what I’m learning in my studies in the Psalms, and it’s an idea I’d like to explore further. Ken Boer’s comments in the closing chapter on choosing great songs that are consistent with the biblical witness on salvation, judgment, sin, and grace are also a helpful corrective to a lack of balance, clarity, and proper emphasis in today’s worship lyrics. All in all, a really great contribution to the conversation on worship.

I think the thing I love most about this book is that it largely avoids preaching to the choir. There’s no subtle self-important attempts to rally people around things that they already believe and confirm/affirm them in their prejudices against other ways of thinking about and doing worship
ministry (which seems to happen a lot in conversations about worship music on all sides). Instead, it provides compelling biblical reasons for specific ways of thinking about worship ministry in a way that might be challenging and persuasive even to someone who isn’t firmly a part of the gospel-centered Calvinistic subculture of the evangelical church.

My tendency is always painfully aware of what’s missing in a platform, conversation, or community. Part of me wishes I could sit down with some of these guys and challenge them in terms of their applications and some of the attitudes towards the industry mainstream that run in the community that these writers represent. My own story of growth in Christ and calling to be a worship leader is full of instances where God ministered to me personally when I was at my lowest through things that I would otherwise have been tempted to dismiss or despise. So while I agree with these writers in most of not all of their principles, I suspect that we would have some strong differences on the applications, specifically when it comes to choosing or rejecting certain songs for congregational worship. But the principles are terribly important, and this book articulates them well.

[Bea Cabuhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Worship leaders are singing theologians. We communicate truth with poetry and verse; we organize doctrine with rhythm and rhyme; we proclaim the good news through melody and harmony. With every stanza of every hymn, we are articulating and teaching what we believe, intentional or not.”

-

Wow! For years I’ve been conversing with my husband and others we’ve discipled about how one’s theology directly impacts one’s doxology… and someone actually made a book about it?!?! Why do I still get surprised when the Holy Spirit works one and the same way in the hearts of His people? Haha! Page after page, I was exhorted not just as a worship leader, but as a Christian. I couldn’t put it down! Such a great read!

Reading this, I’m even more convinced that to recommend better songs for the church to sing is just a cover-up for a greater need: the need to grow in our awe of God, faithfulness to His Word, conviction of sin, love for Christ, and passion for the gospel… As God grows us from faith to faith, it is reflected in the songs that lead us to worship.

What I love about this book is it doesn’t deal with “solutions” or “practical” advice about the whats and the hows—but it deals with the why. Why should we even lead worship in the first place? Why should we sing songs that are biblically faithful? Why does Jesus Christ deserve to be exalted in our hearts and in our services? Why should we sing of the gospel?

This books deals with our heart of worship to the Lord God the Almighty. In a way, it makes for application harder because it leads us to seek and depend on the Holy Sprit to convict, to guide, to lead, to act, and to sustain us in whatever context God has us in.

I loved the chapters about creativity, discipleship, and family worship… actually, I take that back… I loved all the chapters! And the last chapter ends with 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 with the reminder that it’s all about the gospel of Jesus Christ! Can this book get any better?!

I don’t usually recommend books to people but I am definitely recommending this to all the worship leaders I know. I just finished reading it but I’m going to pick it up now and read it again. What a treasure!

[Kyleigh Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What does theology have to do with leading worship? Isn’t worship about the “feeling” and not the “knowing?” No! As the authors of this book repeat over and over, our theology propels and informs our doxology. We need to know who we’re worshipping, and our response to that, not our emotions, is what fuels true worship. Worship leaders can and should serve a both theological and doxological role in the church, both leading in the praise of God and through that teaching the congregation about that God. This book covers different aspects of a worship leader’s life and ministry, always emphasizing the need for a personal “seeing” of Jesus before and in leading the congregation to do the same, and then being creative, thoughtful, and theologically careful in how singing forms believers to better know and worship the Triune God and understand the gospel and its role in our lives.
Overall, a helpful book, even for those who aren’t worship leaders or even may never appear on the “worship team” (I appreciate the book’s pushback on those terms!). Three brief more critical comments: First, while I agree that many worship leaders can/should function in an elder role, I’ve also been in churches where the person leading the music isn’t functioning in that capacity, so that conversation is often more nuanced. Second, the chapter on the Trinity was very thought-provoking, but needed more care in how the Trinity as a community was discussed, to steer more clear of Social Trinitarianism. Third, the chapter on the worship leader and pastor—if the worship leader is a fellow elder, that dynamic should be different. The worship leader should receive criticism and respect and honor the lead teaching pastor, but ultimately that accountability goes both ways in a healthy church. Other elders should not be “yes men” and aren’t really “under” the senior pastor in a church that is truly functioning with a plurality of elders.

[Priscilla Previl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to have to lower the rating of all subsequent chapters of this book, based on the editor's assertion that women are not to serve as worship leaders.

Not only is this preposterous based on scripture and historical examples, but there was absolutely no support provided. He just said (I'm paraphrasing because the book isn't here in front of me), "they can serve in other ways . . ." but never mentioned which other ways. Cleaning toilets? Watching babies? Filling communion cups?

It's a horribly divisive statement to make if you're not going to make the slightest effort to back it up. But that effort would take a whole book itself, and that's not what this book is about, which is even more reason that the editor should have controlled himself on this matter.

[Julia Reign · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for men, but you can't tell until chapter two Very informative on leading. I am a women in a worship leader position at my church so I wasn't fond of the author saying only men should be worship leaders. I agree that pastors should be men. It discouraged me a lot each time he kept pushing for only men as worship leaders. Went to talk to my reformed pastor about it because it was making me feel guilty and he explained the passage in 1 Timothy further to me. I felt better after his explanation and was able to finish the book without feeling guilty or inferior. It wasn't a bad read, but would not recommended it to a women in a worship leading position at her church. Wish I didn't spend the $10 on this

[Brittany Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there were some wonderfully valuable chapters (justice, mission and disciple-making were among the most compelling in terms of encouraging readers to tangibly live out the values we base our faith on), this book holds some theological assumptions that are distinctive across much of the church in America (from what I have seen), and misses an ecumenical and global approach that could have strengthened it.
Unfortunately, some of the assumptions regarding women as worship leaders (e.g., all male authors, one chapter title reading ‘the worship leader and his heart, and a few more examples throughout) as well as putting substitutionary atonement as necessary to be preached through song in order to be gospel-centred (as was stated in the last chapter), gave me quite a lot of pause.

[Jason Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has continually challenged me to be a better worship leader and I anticipate frequently referring back to the great swaths of text I've underlined. It's easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing over and over again in worship planning and leadership, and these essays have helped give me some new ideas and refocus my thought on the glorious purpose of worship.

The authors (or at least the editor) are clearly complementarian, but even if you don't agree with them about women and leadership roles in the Church and home, there is much of value in these essays for men and women alike.

[Kimi Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We are not just singing songs. Our desire in worship planning is to pray and plan toward the goal of seeing God's Word brought home by the Holy Spirit to the hearts of those who are gathered. Our planning should be deeply pastoral in nature. We should be thinking about whether those who are battling for joy will have the opportunity to be strengthened by biblical truth through these songs.”

Overall great book (read it for class), all the authors covered several great topics with worship. But i would’ve loved to hear from some female worship leaders and their thoughts on worship in the church- a much needed perspective.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was good. Because of the multiple authors there are some variations in voice and style, but it's very readable. The first three chapters were the most impactful for me, especially Chapter 3, "The Worship Leader and the Trinity." Some chapters could've been left out, and some of the assumptions the authors made without defining their positions left me wanting a little more to back up their claims. One quote that stood out to me was that "Theology should make our hearts sing. If it doesn't, then something is missing the mark (pg 15). We should pursue God with our minds as well as our hearts, rather than seeing them at odds with each other.

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this book a higher review but the complimentarian approach that they take to worship leadership permeates this book. They go as far as to say that women are not supposed to be worship leaders... and this idea is sprinkled throughout the book...

That is the only reason I can't 100% recommend it.. because otherwise it is filled with practical, theological, and solid instruction and ideas for worship leaders, from a variety of perspectives! Check it out, but don't be offended if you are an egalitarian... you've been warned!

[Deeps George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worship leader holds a critical role in the church and it is important that what is sung is based on the Word of God. Doxology and Theology is a book that brings these facts together through articles written by contemporary worship leaders. The book covers key topics around the use of scripture , the role of the heart , the concepts of justice , creativity , leadership , discipline and the gospel in the process of worship leading. A great read for Worship leaders who are set to change the world through Creativity and the Gospel.

[Jorge Murcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich in insight and wisdom to help you become a more intentional worship leader. I began reading this book while still serving in a capacity of worship leader but did not have a chance to finish it until quite some time after moving on from that. The value it has to me now is still high because even off of the platform, we are still called to be leaders of worship. I enjoyed the fact that each chapter is written by a different person and thus we get a little bit of insight from many that adds much value.

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most books that are edited, some chapters in Doxology and Theology are stronger than others. The stand-out winners here are "The Worship Leader and Mission" by Matt Papa, "The Worship Leader and the Trinity" by Zac Hicks, and "The Worship Leader and Disciple-Making" by Aaron Keys. This is a helpful book for worship leaders, pastors, and lay elders. These leaders offer theological and practical thoughts on how the role of worship leader in the local church should function. Good read.