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Revelation and Response: The Why and How of Leading Corporate Worship through Song
What is the purpose of that portion of the Sunday morning service situated between the “welcome” and the sermon—that portion with all the singing? Is it “preparation” for the Sermon? Is it entertainment? The opening act? And while we’re at it, just who is all this singing for anyway? Is it a key attraction for the un-churched visitor? And who should be leading this portion of the service? Does it matter?
Though these questions are seldom asked outright, they surround the unnamed assumptions and expectations of Christians in the twenty-first century. In Revelation and Response, Samuel G. Parkison asks and answers these questions. His answers may sound new to the average evangelical ears, but they are ancient. This book is for the church music leader who is scrambling to find answers. Revelation and Response is a survival guide for such individuals. Like any good survival guide, it is not exhaustive in any of the areas it explores, but it does include the bare essentials of what you need. On every page, Parkison points his readers to the Triune God of the Bible, since a revelation of his glory elicits a response of worship.
Though these questions are seldom asked outright, they surround the unnamed assumptions and expectations of Christians in the twenty-first century. In Revelation and Response, Samuel G. Parkison asks and answers these questions. His answers may sound new to the average evangelical ears, but they are ancient. This book is for the church music leader who is scrambling to find answers. Revelation and Response is a survival guide for such individuals. Like any good survival guide, it is not exhaustive in any of the areas it explores, but it does include the bare essentials of what you need. On every page, Parkison points his readers to the Triune God of the Bible, since a revelation of his glory elicits a response of worship.
155 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2019
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About the author
Samuel G. Parkison
8 books178 followersSamuel G. Parkison (PhD) is Associate Professor of Theological Studies at the Gulf Theological Seminary in the UAE. He is also the Director of Publishing at Credo Magazine. He is the author of several books, including To Gaze Upon God (IVP Academic, 2024) and The Unvarnished Jesus (Christian Focus, 2025).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 27, 2019
E’hem. It’s alright. I’m a bit biased, myself.
January 13, 2020
I’m so thankful to have Sam as one of my church pastors. I was not sure what I would think of this book, since I should not be placed near a microphone to lead anything musical whatsoever. I assumed it would be mostly irrelevant to me, but with lots of truth about the gospel. I was completely wrong about the former assumption, because this book is for EVERY follower of Christ. Yes, there are parts directed specifically toward music leaders, but the majority of the book pertains just as much to the worshipper in the crowd as it does to the musician up front. He summarizes the entire book well by his line, “I will have failed in my ultimate aim to serve Jesus’ church if you, dear reader, put this book down feeling the crushing weight and pressure of everything ‘you need to do.’ Your greatest need is not a game plan. Your greatest need is the gospel.” So do not let the “worship through song” in the title deter you- this book encouraged and challenged me, a non-musician, to worship thoughtfully and revel in the grandness of God!
April 8, 2019
Revelation and Response is a great read on the "what" of worship, though you'll find some answers related to the "why," "how," and "who" of worship as well. Parkinson is theologically precise, yet writes an overly accessible work; he craftily weaves in theological concepts without using theological nomenclature that might turn more novice readers away. At the same time, Parkinson is helpfully doxological. You'll leave more in awe of God than before you read the book (if you read it right), especially after pondering his chapter on the gospel, which is a fresh take, might I add, especially in regards to what he says concerning our union with Christ and adoption into the family of God.
His theology of worship is informed by almost every theological discipline, particularly God's Trinitarian nature and His attributes. The basic premise of the book is that our worship, both individual and corporate, should come as a response to what has been revealed to us about God. When he writes about corporate worship, Parkinson is most helpful. In an age where the average worship service looks eerily similar to a rock concert, Parkinson brings us back to the basics (and even suggests we turn the lights back on!). If the "worship leader" has any job description (note, though, that Parkinson pointedly questions whether or not we should even use this title), it is to foster congregational singing for the glory of God. In other words, we need to both see and hear those we have covenanted with to regularly worship God.
I imagine some might be dissatisfied that this book is more geared toward any and every Christian in the first two-thirds of the book, rather than worship leaders specifically; again, this is because Parkinson is mostly answering the "what" of worship. However, I think this is helpful. Parkinson, in this, moves us away from the idea that worship only equals music and singing. The last third of the book is more so for those who lead worship (scratch that - music) in the local church, and this is where Parkinson is most practical. He even provides helpful appendices at the end of the book regarding his own church's weekly practices (for more on Emmaus Church, see http://emmauskc.com/).
Overall, I think Parkinson's book is much akin to Bob Kauflin's "Worship Matters." This is a book I'd hand off to the aspiring "worship leader." And yet, it goes beyond Kauflin's book in that it is explicitly helpful to the average Christian. It's a book I wish I had when I started leading worship through song in high school and college. It is needed medicine for a worship culture of "monkey see, monkey do," for it calls us to refocus on God and what he reveals about Himself, and worship of Him, in His Word.
His theology of worship is informed by almost every theological discipline, particularly God's Trinitarian nature and His attributes. The basic premise of the book is that our worship, both individual and corporate, should come as a response to what has been revealed to us about God. When he writes about corporate worship, Parkinson is most helpful. In an age where the average worship service looks eerily similar to a rock concert, Parkinson brings us back to the basics (and even suggests we turn the lights back on!). If the "worship leader" has any job description (note, though, that Parkinson pointedly questions whether or not we should even use this title), it is to foster congregational singing for the glory of God. In other words, we need to both see and hear those we have covenanted with to regularly worship God.
I imagine some might be dissatisfied that this book is more geared toward any and every Christian in the first two-thirds of the book, rather than worship leaders specifically; again, this is because Parkinson is mostly answering the "what" of worship. However, I think this is helpful. Parkinson, in this, moves us away from the idea that worship only equals music and singing. The last third of the book is more so for those who lead worship (scratch that - music) in the local church, and this is where Parkinson is most practical. He even provides helpful appendices at the end of the book regarding his own church's weekly practices (for more on Emmaus Church, see http://emmauskc.com/).
Overall, I think Parkinson's book is much akin to Bob Kauflin's "Worship Matters." This is a book I'd hand off to the aspiring "worship leader." And yet, it goes beyond Kauflin's book in that it is explicitly helpful to the average Christian. It's a book I wish I had when I started leading worship through song in high school and college. It is needed medicine for a worship culture of "monkey see, monkey do," for it calls us to refocus on God and what he reveals about Himself, and worship of Him, in His Word.
August 7, 2025
8.5/10.
This was a fantastic read. I’ve read quite a few books on worship, and many great ones. There is a collation of many of my favorite themes from these great books in this one work. It encouraged and convicted me as a song leader and left me with a surprising amount of practical implications to wrestle through. I’m excited to share it with the team and read more from Parkison in the future.
Among many distinctives that make this book excellent (other reviews outline these well), Parkison remains highly accessible while plumbing the depths of worship in response to the revelation of our Triune God. There was a relatable dose of honesty and humour but a constant undercurrent of deep reverence for the Lord that informed every conclusion and admonition.
Parkison does take some hard lines on various issues that are only possible when the church is equipped to do so, which many small/new churches aren't. His arguments are sound, but there should be room for nuance while upholding reverence for what God has revealed as His ideals. Also, I would have been helped by more Scriptural reasoning and references in his Chapter 7 section on the order of worship. If the regulative principle is held in such high regard, these should be central to his case for the inclusion for each of these liturgical elements.
This was a fantastic read. I’ve read quite a few books on worship, and many great ones. There is a collation of many of my favorite themes from these great books in this one work. It encouraged and convicted me as a song leader and left me with a surprising amount of practical implications to wrestle through. I’m excited to share it with the team and read more from Parkison in the future.
Among many distinctives that make this book excellent (other reviews outline these well), Parkison remains highly accessible while plumbing the depths of worship in response to the revelation of our Triune God. There was a relatable dose of honesty and humour but a constant undercurrent of deep reverence for the Lord that informed every conclusion and admonition.
Parkison does take some hard lines on various issues that are only possible when the church is equipped to do so, which many small/new churches aren't. His arguments are sound, but there should be room for nuance while upholding reverence for what God has revealed as His ideals. Also, I would have been helped by more Scriptural reasoning and references in his Chapter 7 section on the order of worship. If the regulative principle is held in such high regard, these should be central to his case for the inclusion for each of these liturgical elements.
January 12, 2020
If you lead God’s people in worship through song, please read this book!
“Revelation and Response” is a rich theological and practical book for anyone that serves the church in singing. There are some great books out there to help those who lead the church in worship through song (Worship Matters, Doxology & Theology...). This book is a great addition to that collection of books.
“Revelation and Response” is a rich theological and practical book for anyone that serves the church in singing. There are some great books out there to help those who lead the church in worship through song (Worship Matters, Doxology & Theology...). This book is a great addition to that collection of books.
February 3, 2024
10/10 - Sam’s book is first of all a really fun read because he’s a bro and makes up some awesome, extremely descriptive words. Second of all, it’s so helpful to form a theology of worship, both for me as someone who serves in corporate singing on Sundays and for me as a member of a church, period.
December 29, 2019
This volume has the warmth, wittiness, and conviction to match its author. Sam has given us a much-needed update to such great volumes as MacArthur's Worship: The Ultimate Priority and Wiersbe's Real Worship: Playground, Battleground, or Holy Ground? except he goes steps further in communicating rich theology that touches on issues such as classical theism, union with Christ, and much more. Not only this, he walks the reader through very practical ways to apply this theology, not only in corporate worship but in all of life. I heartily recommend this for the music leader, the pastor, and every believer alike. This will now be required reading for those in the pastoral development process in our local assembly.
February 23, 2021
There’s some good stuff in here. You should read it.
December 11, 2022
As Dr. Parkison writes, “worship is the telos of all Christian activity.” So yes, this book is worthwhile!
I benefited from Sam’s philosophy of corporate worship for two years, and this book summarizes why we do what we do at Emmaus: Read, Preach, Pray, and Sing the Bible.
I benefited from Sam’s philosophy of corporate worship for two years, and this book summarizes why we do what we do at Emmaus: Read, Preach, Pray, and Sing the Bible.
February 28, 2021
Helpful treatment of corporate worship; would be a great one for pastors and music leaders to read together and discuss.
September 14, 2024
A good little one
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews