Aiming to Please: A Guide to Reformed Worship

by Wes Bredenhof

In Aiming to Please, Wes Bredenhof explains in his unique, readable style, how Reformed worship aims to help us please God more and more. All aspects of the service come under Is singing hymns biblical? Should the congregation say the votum? Why collection bags? Lord's Supper in the pews? And what about the role of organists, drums, the celebration of Christmas, and the use of projectors? Does covenant theology make a difference to how we worship? These topics and many more are addressed from the stance that we are not to worship God in any other manner than he has commanded in his Word.

232 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2020

Reviews

[Brian Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to understanding and enjoying Reformed worship! It was firmly rooted in Biblical principles of worship and good at applying those principles to various practical situations. In fact it covers a vast array of practical questions about Reformed worship. And even though he seeks to persuade others of his application of Reformed principles of worship I appreciated the irenic tone with which it was written. He shows that there is unity and diversity of practice among churches who hold to the Regulative Principle of Worship and that we should be charitable towards others who may apply the RPW slightly differently than us, always being careful to distinguish elements and circumstances of worship. While I agreed with Dr. Bredenhof on most of his applications of the RPW there were a few that I might differ on. But I felt I could easily minister along side him, if we were in the same denomination, and his gracious tone welcomed further dialogue rather than shutting down conversation.

Perhaps my favourite section of the book was his "Ten Reasons to Worship Twice" (Chapter 13, pp. 152-157). It will be my go to resource for those who are indifferent to, against, or just naive to why Reformed churches value worshipping twice on the Lord's Day. It also is thoroughly convincing on why every church member who belongs to a church where the elders call the congregation to worship twice on the Lord's Day should diligently attend the second service with joy, gratitude and eager expectation (aside from works of necessity/mercy and providential hindrances).

It would be a great book for Reformed office-bearers, church members, and even those non-Reformed Christians that are simply interested in better understanding worship in the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith. I also appreciated the helpful appendices that will aid ministers in leading the congregation in worship. Highly recommended!

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellence basic reformed theology book. Didnt exactly agree with everything as the author pushed personal opinion at a couple points. He did a good job of noting that though (that it was personal opinion).

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting/inconsistent conclusions are made at times. Some aspects of the worship service and why we do them were convincing to me and made me reevaluate some of the practices we are doing today. (we should be celebrating Lord's Supper weekly!!)

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't agree with all of his conclusions, but the push to dig into why I don't merits the full five stars.