Following the River: A Vision for Corporate Worship

by Bob Sorge

This book articulates where God is taking the body of Christ in corporate worship. There is a sweep-you-off-your-feet depth to the river of God's delights that is more than possible, it is inevitable! This book may wound a few sacred cows, but it will clarify your vision for the powerful potential in corporate worship.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality

78 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2003

About the author

Bob Sorge is “the speaker who can’t talk”—that is, he is reduced to a whisper because of a debilitating vocal injury he suffered over 20 years ago. Through the journey, God has given him an empowering message that explores God’s purposes in fiery trials. It’s not the fire that changes you but your pursuit of God in the fire that changes you. Bob has a unique way of helping us process our journey so we stay in the race and overcome. Whether you’re reading one of his books or listening to him, you’re about to receive a message from the heart of God that will strengthen your faith and draw you into greater intimacy with Jesus.

Reviews

[Lulufrances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5

And another good book on worship with helpful inpits.
Recommended!

[Abigail G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice short book with a lot of profound ideas about worship. The reality of what corperate worship is and how it happens is something we all can benefit from and this book is written in an easy to understand way. It is not only for worship leaders but for anyone who desires to understand more of what we do when we have a worship time.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love his perspectives on worship and having worked on 8 different worship teams I've seen all of his principles in action. I truly appreciate his advice on how to build cooperation, skills, and teamwork within a worship team so they are more equipped and able to lead a congregation into God's presence.

[Thomas Bertrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le livre est intéressant mais court, je m'attendais à plus de développement.

[Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. It taught me a lot.
Keep in mind that even though it offers practical advice, it focus a lot on the conceptual side of hunting the river of God, which is its Holy Spirit worship.

[Airs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gist of this thin & readable book is about breaking free from being limited by a prepared worship set, and being open to the Spirit's leading into spontaneous corporate worship. It thus has a more charismatic slant to it.

It offers a more sociological and spiritual review of current praise patterns in church. It is not so much a theological understanding of corporate worship. Sorge does attempt to align his thoughts to certain Scripture passages, but his interpretations can sometimes be more allegorical and questionable. It could be helpful - but it might not be entirely what that particular passage is really trying to say.

Nevertheless, I will not deny that Sorge has made some pertinent observations and very helpful reminders. Some important points he raises are: the difference between merely song-leading vs. leading worship, the importance for the song leader to be a worshiper himself and to hear God, and the need for worship teams to recognise the supremacy of God rather than the supremacy of their sound system. Those are very crucial reminders indeed for contemporary worship.

[Adam Benamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good 👍

[Juan Garcia Acosta · Rating 2 out of 5]

No es una obra tan grande como se presenta pero es interesante ver cómo se puede encontrar la pasión a través de la música

[Jay Sandifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

my review of Following the River: A Vision for Corporate Worship by Bob Sorge

[Carol Comrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Bob Sorge. It was recommended reading on a course I am doing, and I have to say this book had me in tears, literally weeping as I was reading. At times I had to put this book aside and just be still. It's about corporate worship, but it deals with the individual as a worship leader and the mind sets we are entrenched in about worship in church. The imagery of the river of worship and the biblical references are captivating. I read this book almost two years ago and I have gone back to it recently using it as a tool within sessions where our worship team are meeting. A brilliant little book!

[Sue]

Got a chance a few years ago to hear Bob speak at a worship conference I attended near Philly. This book was in our registration packet for the conference. Most of what he said at the conference came straight from this book. Reading it later was a nice refresher from the conference.

[Justin Burrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read but don’t necessarily see eye to eye with everything in the book as I don’t believe it’s practical in actual practice even at a “charismatic” church.