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Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God's People
What Is the Role of Corporate Worship in the Church?
Christians worship God at church every week, but many don't know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it's a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it's a "me-and-Jesus" moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship?
In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God's people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God's people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation.
Christians worship God at church every week, but many don't know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it's a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it's a "me-and-Jesus" moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship?
In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God's people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God's people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published February 23, 2021
83 people are currently reading
728 people want to read
About the author
Matt Merker
10 books5 followersMatt Merker (MDiv, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is director of creative resources and training for Getty Music and has contributed to several modern hymns, including "He Will Hold Me Fast." Matt and his wife, Erica, live with their two children in Nashville, Tennessee, where they are members of Edgefield Church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
November 24, 2021
Excellent.
February 23, 2021
I have found all the books in the 9Marks series to be biblical, practical, and helpful. This new addition to the series is no exception. It is a brief, thorough, and compelling study of the principles and practices of corporate worship. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - to be pastoral staff, worship leaders, and lay members!
October 19, 2023
Another great tool for church leaders and members to learn how and why God gathers his people, and what God wants his people to do when they gather.
Very informative for our day where the worship service is viewed as an opportunity for individual experience with God rather than a corporate one (07.08.21).
If you’re in charge of planning the order of service on Sundays, you have to read this! If you’re the main preaching pastor of a church, read this book, and make sure you’re in charge of what happens on Sundays 😀 (10.18.23).
Very informative for our day where the worship service is viewed as an opportunity for individual experience with God rather than a corporate one (07.08.21).
If you’re in charge of planning the order of service on Sundays, you have to read this! If you’re the main preaching pastor of a church, read this book, and make sure you’re in charge of what happens on Sundays 😀 (10.18.23).
April 9, 2021
Corporate Worship by Matt Merker is the most recent installment in the Building Healthy Churches series of books. This series helps Christians obey the biblical commands that are an integral part of the process of growing a healthy church.
This volume addresses the matter of worship. As such it focuses issues that revolve around participants at church and the specifics of worship in the local church setting.
Merker sets the stage by revealing some helpful word pictures that show the importance of corporate worship. First, a local church is “an outpost of the kingdom of heaven.” Second, the local church is “a holy temple.” The key here is to understand that corporate worship is a matter of feasting. “Christ himself hosts us at his banquet table. We gather in his honor to delight in the richest of fare. And he expects us to meet together, as one family.” This critical foundation establishes the necessary biblical base for what follows.
The reason for corporate worship is three-fold: “God gathers us unto his glory, for our mutual good, before the world’s gaze.” Merker’s exposition of these important points are to the point and biblical throughout.
The most helpful aspect of Corporate Worship is the explanation of the so-called “Regulative Principle.” A summary of our Reformed heritage is presented in simple terms. We are called to read the Word, pray the Word, preach the Word, sing the Word, and see the world (the Lord’s Supper and baptism). This presentation is worth the price of the book and should serve many readers well and keep them linked to the Bible and God’s heart for worship.
Five principles are set forth by way of practical application which include 1) Stay focused on the gospel, 2) Pray for a healthier church, 3) Encourage the elders to lead, 4) Teach patiently, and make changes gradually, and 5)Trust God’s sovereignty.
Corporate Worship is a worthy addition to the Building Healthy Churches series and will encourage and equip a new generation of Christian leaders.
This volume addresses the matter of worship. As such it focuses issues that revolve around participants at church and the specifics of worship in the local church setting.
Merker sets the stage by revealing some helpful word pictures that show the importance of corporate worship. First, a local church is “an outpost of the kingdom of heaven.” Second, the local church is “a holy temple.” The key here is to understand that corporate worship is a matter of feasting. “Christ himself hosts us at his banquet table. We gather in his honor to delight in the richest of fare. And he expects us to meet together, as one family.” This critical foundation establishes the necessary biblical base for what follows.
The reason for corporate worship is three-fold: “God gathers us unto his glory, for our mutual good, before the world’s gaze.” Merker’s exposition of these important points are to the point and biblical throughout.
The most helpful aspect of Corporate Worship is the explanation of the so-called “Regulative Principle.” A summary of our Reformed heritage is presented in simple terms. We are called to read the Word, pray the Word, preach the Word, sing the Word, and see the world (the Lord’s Supper and baptism). This presentation is worth the price of the book and should serve many readers well and keep them linked to the Bible and God’s heart for worship.
Five principles are set forth by way of practical application which include 1) Stay focused on the gospel, 2) Pray for a healthier church, 3) Encourage the elders to lead, 4) Teach patiently, and make changes gradually, and 5)Trust God’s sovereignty.
Corporate Worship is a worthy addition to the Building Healthy Churches series and will encourage and equip a new generation of Christian leaders.
February 14, 2021
A really good book can take difficult concepts and make them seem so clear and simple; this is exactly what Matt Merker does here. And he does it superbly.
It seems so obvious that one’s ecclesiology (view of the church) should inform and shape one’s doxology (worship), but far too often we settle for pragmatic decisions that seem right, but may have no connection with the true purpose of our worship. Matt goes from the fundamentals of why we worship to the practicals of how we might do so in a way that bring glory to God, edifies our congregations, and speaks of the value of God to a watching world.
Short, sweet, and significant: this books will do wonders for those seeking to think intentionally on their Lord’s Day services.
It seems so obvious that one’s ecclesiology (view of the church) should inform and shape one’s doxology (worship), but far too often we settle for pragmatic decisions that seem right, but may have no connection with the true purpose of our worship. Matt goes from the fundamentals of why we worship to the practicals of how we might do so in a way that bring glory to God, edifies our congregations, and speaks of the value of God to a watching world.
Short, sweet, and significant: this books will do wonders for those seeking to think intentionally on their Lord’s Day services.
December 26, 2022
Merker’s concise book emphasizes the corporate (something done as a gathering) and broad (more than just singing) nature of worship. The first three chapters look at the theoretical underpinnings of why worship is primarily a corporate act and then the rest of the book discusses what takes place in those corporate gatherings (and why). This book serves as a helpful corrective to an evangelical culture that has turned worship into an experiential performance rather than a gathering meant to glorify God and edify one another.
Ligon Duncan summarizes the premise well in his foreward: “Corporate worship is the covenant community engaging with God, gathering with His people to seek His face, to glorify & enjoy Him, to hear & respond to His Word, to revel in the glory of union & communion with Him, to render praise, to give unto Him the glory due His name.”
Ligon Duncan summarizes the premise well in his foreward: “Corporate worship is the covenant community engaging with God, gathering with His people to seek His face, to glorify & enjoy Him, to hear & respond to His Word, to revel in the glory of union & communion with Him, to render praise, to give unto Him the glory due His name.”
August 21, 2025
A McDonald's drive thru analogy for liturgy wasn't on my bingo card for this - will 100% be using that. Matt Merker has a way with imagery. “Hopefully, like when I gaze at my wife’s engagement ring, what they notice isn’t the prongs of the liturgy but the diamond of the gospel.”
I'm taking notes.
[Aside 1]
Since moving churches this year, I
1. often have to explain why, and therefore find myself searching for clear, tangible analogies like this which illumine the mind to big truths on the bible and church practice, and
2. resonated with many things in this book, such as:
“C. S. Lewis has Screwtape advise his demon understudy Wormwood that if he can’t cure a man of churchgoing he should aim to turn him into a taster or connoisseur of churches: “the search for a ‘suitable’ church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil.”
"It’s common to speak of what a church does on Sunday mornings as a “worship service.” That’s true, but we must put the accent where it belongs: God serves us before we serve him. He ministers to us. He blesses us. He reveals himself to us. He pours out grace upon undeserved grace. Only once he serves us do we serve him. And even then, we serve him with the strength that he alone provides.”
“The golden calf incident shows that sincerity is not enough to make our worship acceptable.”
“This means that singing is part of each member’s ministry to the whole body. When you join a church, you join the choir. You become a steward for the spiritual vitality of the body, a stewardship you fulfill in part by opening your mouth in song.”
“Our singing anticipates something else—another time and another place. Our singing is not yet what it one day will be. It offers a foretaste of the day when all of God’s family will gather around the throne. On that day, we will gather alongside our brave brothers and sisters in the new heaven and new earth, where no power or principality will oppose them because King Jesus has won.”
[Aside 2]
I only recently learnt that other denominations (is this a Filipino thing?) refer to baptists as the 'solemn.' It makes me giggle! I presume because we don't raise our hands or move around all that much, it must seem sad or stoic. Understandable, but not entirely true. There is 100% a balance to be struck between solemnity and joy, and I appreciated this note:
“God’s people still experience childlessness, cancer, cruelty, and calamity. The psalms of lament teach us that faith means not running from God in our suffering, but running to him—with our questions, pain, and all. Why would we not cast our cares on him through song? Wise pastoral care includes cultivating a repertoire of hymns that “miserable Christians” can sing. Psalms that are honest about trials. Hymns in a minor key. Songs that ask, “How long, O Lord?”
I'm taking notes.
[Aside 1]
Since moving churches this year, I
1. often have to explain why, and therefore find myself searching for clear, tangible analogies like this which illumine the mind to big truths on the bible and church practice, and
2. resonated with many things in this book, such as:
“C. S. Lewis has Screwtape advise his demon understudy Wormwood that if he can’t cure a man of churchgoing he should aim to turn him into a taster or connoisseur of churches: “the search for a ‘suitable’ church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil.”
"It’s common to speak of what a church does on Sunday mornings as a “worship service.” That’s true, but we must put the accent where it belongs: God serves us before we serve him. He ministers to us. He blesses us. He reveals himself to us. He pours out grace upon undeserved grace. Only once he serves us do we serve him. And even then, we serve him with the strength that he alone provides.”
“The golden calf incident shows that sincerity is not enough to make our worship acceptable.”
“This means that singing is part of each member’s ministry to the whole body. When you join a church, you join the choir. You become a steward for the spiritual vitality of the body, a stewardship you fulfill in part by opening your mouth in song.”
“Our singing anticipates something else—another time and another place. Our singing is not yet what it one day will be. It offers a foretaste of the day when all of God’s family will gather around the throne. On that day, we will gather alongside our brave brothers and sisters in the new heaven and new earth, where no power or principality will oppose them because King Jesus has won.”
[Aside 2]
I only recently learnt that other denominations (is this a Filipino thing?) refer to baptists as the 'solemn.' It makes me giggle! I presume because we don't raise our hands or move around all that much, it must seem sad or stoic. Understandable, but not entirely true. There is 100% a balance to be struck between solemnity and joy, and I appreciated this note:
“God’s people still experience childlessness, cancer, cruelty, and calamity. The psalms of lament teach us that faith means not running from God in our suffering, but running to him—with our questions, pain, and all. Why would we not cast our cares on him through song? Wise pastoral care includes cultivating a repertoire of hymns that “miserable Christians” can sing. Psalms that are honest about trials. Hymns in a minor key. Songs that ask, “How long, O Lord?”
December 4, 2024
Excellent! Shows how a biblical understanding of the church will help us put the corporate back into worship. Merker presents a balanced view of the regulative principle.
I read this along with our pastoral interns in our church in Brazil.
I read this along with our pastoral interns in our church in Brazil.
February 6, 2024
What songs should we sing in church? What instruments should play? How much production is too much production? Merker answers these questions by simply reminding the reader of the 'corporate' in corporate worship. Worship is a gift from the Lord for the Lord. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for our brothers and sisters is sacrifice our musical preferences for the sake of our corporate unity in worship. 9Marks doesn't miss.
June 2, 2021
Excellent consideration of how a biblical view of the church shapes how we worship when we gather. Takes a little more work than most of the books in this series, but well worth it.
Not much on the 'how to', far more on the 'why' and 'in what manner'. The result is a book that presents biblical principles in a clear and generous tone, that I think will be useful for many and many kinds of churches.
Recommend to Christians interested in understanding worship, and particularly to those involved in leading corporate gatherings.
Not much on the 'how to', far more on the 'why' and 'in what manner'. The result is a book that presents biblical principles in a clear and generous tone, that I think will be useful for many and many kinds of churches.
Recommend to Christians interested in understanding worship, and particularly to those involved in leading corporate gatherings.
May 31, 2021
Like the rest of the 9Marks series of books on "Building Healthy Churches," Matt Merker's Corporate Worship is a short but helpful resource for churches to grow in our faithfulness to Christ. In this volume, the author seeks to connect our understanding of church to our practice of congregational worship. As he rightly points out: "The nature of the church shapes what corporate worship is. The church's worship, in turn, forms and reinforces our corporate identity.... Our ecclesiology (our doctrine of the church) and our doxology (our doctrine of worship) shape and reinforce one another" (32).
How blessed evangelical and Reformed churches would be if we heeded this message! This demonstrates how timely Merker's book is today. While his arguments are simple, they are never simplistic, seeking to explain and apply biblical truth in our corporate worship. In answering seven questions (Who Gathers? Must We Gather? Why Does God Gather Us? What Should We Do When We Gather? How Should We Order the Gathering? How Does the Whole Church Participate in the Gathering? How Does the Whole Church Participate in Congregational Singing?), the reader is introduced to many of the foundational concepts required to intentionally worship God according to His Word.
I am also thankful for how easy this book is to read. The author includes many helpful illustrations, examples from real life, and practical insights. As a matter of fact, I liked the introduction to his chapter on "How Should We Order the Gathering?" so much that I used it as an introduction to a recent sermon (with proper attribution, of course!). Much wisdom is found in these pages, which come from the experience of Merker's life in leading worship as well as many formative years at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC. I can definitely see handing this out to pastors and laypeople as they wrestle over questions surrounding corporate worship.
At the same time, I have some disagreements with Merker's conclusions. While I agree with the whole church participating in corporate worship, I would be more restrained and careful with congregational involvement in leading worship and see a more central role for ordained leadership. Other examples and applications could be mentioned. But I think that Merker would welcome these further discussions. He doesn't intend this book to be the last word on these issues (as many of his footnotes admit!), but he does hope that we will continue reforming and refining our worship according to Scripture. His resource is certainly a useful tool to aid churches in carrying out this responsibility.
So I wholeheartedly recommend this book and would encourage anyone interested in worship (which should be all of us!) to take it up and read. May the Lord give this latest resource a long life, so that we will gather together rejoicing in Christ as His redeemed people.
How blessed evangelical and Reformed churches would be if we heeded this message! This demonstrates how timely Merker's book is today. While his arguments are simple, they are never simplistic, seeking to explain and apply biblical truth in our corporate worship. In answering seven questions (Who Gathers? Must We Gather? Why Does God Gather Us? What Should We Do When We Gather? How Should We Order the Gathering? How Does the Whole Church Participate in the Gathering? How Does the Whole Church Participate in Congregational Singing?), the reader is introduced to many of the foundational concepts required to intentionally worship God according to His Word.
I am also thankful for how easy this book is to read. The author includes many helpful illustrations, examples from real life, and practical insights. As a matter of fact, I liked the introduction to his chapter on "How Should We Order the Gathering?" so much that I used it as an introduction to a recent sermon (with proper attribution, of course!). Much wisdom is found in these pages, which come from the experience of Merker's life in leading worship as well as many formative years at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC. I can definitely see handing this out to pastors and laypeople as they wrestle over questions surrounding corporate worship.
At the same time, I have some disagreements with Merker's conclusions. While I agree with the whole church participating in corporate worship, I would be more restrained and careful with congregational involvement in leading worship and see a more central role for ordained leadership. Other examples and applications could be mentioned. But I think that Merker would welcome these further discussions. He doesn't intend this book to be the last word on these issues (as many of his footnotes admit!), but he does hope that we will continue reforming and refining our worship according to Scripture. His resource is certainly a useful tool to aid churches in carrying out this responsibility.
So I wholeheartedly recommend this book and would encourage anyone interested in worship (which should be all of us!) to take it up and read. May the Lord give this latest resource a long life, so that we will gather together rejoicing in Christ as His redeemed people.
May 28, 2022
I'm a huge fan of this series. Still trying to wrap my head around how binding the Regulative Principle is for worship, because many denominations approach this differently. However, this gave me real insight into why each element of a worship service (and even the order of a worship service) matters. The Sunday gathering trains God's people how to worship throughout the week. Even Merker's breakdown of a common Protestant liturgy was helpful. Every Christian pastor who has the responsibility of ordering worship services would benefit from reading and applying this book.
Favorite Quotes/Concepts:
"Corporate worship is the responsibility of every church member. Being a believer means gathering with God's people, for God's praise." (29)
"A church is a congregation, a company of disciples, redeemed from sin and condemnation, associated together to perform certain duties, and to effect certain ends. They are to meet every Lord's Day, to engage in the duties of social worship, to combine their energies, and to act in concert as a band of soldiers under the Captain of their salvation." -W. B. Johnson (footnote, 49)
"Just as the sight of his bride makes a groom's heart swell with love, church members should overflow with affection for one another when they behold the assembly. This is the people whom Jesus bought with his own blood. This is the people who have committed to care for me, put up with my faults, and point me to Christ again and again" (51).
Why does God gather us? Exaltation of God, Edification of the Church, Evangelizing the Lost (61).
"Approaching the living God is like gazing in awe at the height of Mount Everest, not wandering into a video arcade" (63).
"Church members should arrive in prayerful expectation that God intends to use them to bless someone else in need" (67).
"The elements of worship either teach us about the God who is there, or about a god that we have re-made in our own image" (86).
"Singing is part of each member's ministry to the whole body" (136, backed up by Eph. 5:18-20)
Favorite Quotes/Concepts:
"Corporate worship is the responsibility of every church member. Being a believer means gathering with God's people, for God's praise." (29)
"A church is a congregation, a company of disciples, redeemed from sin and condemnation, associated together to perform certain duties, and to effect certain ends. They are to meet every Lord's Day, to engage in the duties of social worship, to combine their energies, and to act in concert as a band of soldiers under the Captain of their salvation." -W. B. Johnson (footnote, 49)
"Just as the sight of his bride makes a groom's heart swell with love, church members should overflow with affection for one another when they behold the assembly. This is the people whom Jesus bought with his own blood. This is the people who have committed to care for me, put up with my faults, and point me to Christ again and again" (51).
Why does God gather us? Exaltation of God, Edification of the Church, Evangelizing the Lost (61).
"Approaching the living God is like gazing in awe at the height of Mount Everest, not wandering into a video arcade" (63).
"Church members should arrive in prayerful expectation that God intends to use them to bless someone else in need" (67).
"The elements of worship either teach us about the God who is there, or about a god that we have re-made in our own image" (86).
"Singing is part of each member's ministry to the whole body" (136, backed up by Eph. 5:18-20)
July 28, 2022
Have you ever heard a pastor rebuff the idea that the corporate gathering of the church is a vending machine where consumers come to get their fix? They’re right. Yet often times the aspects included in a church service teach the opposite.
Consider the singing. If the congregation is tasked with singing backup to the figures on stage, can the congregation be faulted with only passively participating in the apparent concert? Or consider the sermon. Is the congregation encouraged to look at the passage before and after the sermon and to discuss it with one another during the week or are they surprised every Sunday? One can see that what a church does when it gathers is instructive for how a congregation understands the gathering.
In Matt Merker’s book, the author looks to rediscover who the church is, why it must gather, and to what end. Having established these points, Merker moves onto the regulative principle and discussion of liturgy. After which, the author moves into more practical sections as he provides wisdom into how churches can bear be obedient to the commands of Scripture. The result is a book that reframe worship around God, His word, and His people.
Consider the singing. If the congregation is tasked with singing backup to the figures on stage, can the congregation be faulted with only passively participating in the apparent concert? Or consider the sermon. Is the congregation encouraged to look at the passage before and after the sermon and to discuss it with one another during the week or are they surprised every Sunday? One can see that what a church does when it gathers is instructive for how a congregation understands the gathering.
In Matt Merker’s book, the author looks to rediscover who the church is, why it must gather, and to what end. Having established these points, Merker moves onto the regulative principle and discussion of liturgy. After which, the author moves into more practical sections as he provides wisdom into how churches can bear be obedient to the commands of Scripture. The result is a book that reframe worship around God, His word, and His people.
July 19, 2021
i thought the section on "liturgy" (aka order of service) was particularly interesting! a brief but helpful read after covid seriously messed up the church's view on what true corporate worship is.
February 25, 2023
Very helpful book as a member of a new church plant.
June 4, 2021
Clear explanation of how the nature of the gathered church shapes what gathered worship is.
Lord this quote:
“When you join the local church you join the choir.”
Lord this quote:
“When you join the local church you join the choir.”
May 10, 2021
Fantastic! 5/5. I will look back at this...especially the last 2 chapters and Merker’s suggestions for how to apply the concepts of this book. The high value of a local church and the congregation’s participation in the gathering is at the core of this book.
Pastors. Leaders. Read this.
Pastors. Leaders. Read this.
April 11, 2021
This book is a solid 4 stars. It's a good introductory book on the importance of in person corporate worship. This is book is be great for study within the church and will foster a lot of dialogue. Really helps frame essential issues and how to talk about them.
Why not a 5? While it's a great introductory book, the author does try to insert some of his own beliefs into worship, which require more than an introductory framework the author provides. This is not to say the author's beliefs are right or wrong, but one wonders sometimes how he gets to certain conclusions from the principles espoused.
Overall great book and I would recommend to all church goers!
Why not a 5? While it's a great introductory book, the author does try to insert some of his own beliefs into worship, which require more than an introductory framework the author provides. This is not to say the author's beliefs are right or wrong, but one wonders sometimes how he gets to certain conclusions from the principles espoused.
Overall great book and I would recommend to all church goers!
February 18, 2021
I especially appreciated Merker's emphasis on the corporate nature of worship. Corporate worship is done among the gathered church for a reason: that we might collectively praise God and encourage one another. Merker then shows how the looming questions of the "worship wars" can be answered through this framework. When determining what our Order of Worship or our worship style will look like, we should consider what will best help the local church to worship corporately. Great little book; easy to read. Good job, Matt!
December 9, 2020
How our ecclesiology relates to our doxology: Who we are connects with what we do when we gather to worship God.
Read with the interns of 2020/21.
Read with the interns of 2020/21.
August 14, 2021
Biblical, practical, accessible. A short, clear treatment of our our ecclesiology plays itself out in corporate worship.
April 6, 2022
Very wise and enlightening book. I would say Matt Merker is a tad bit extreme on a few things (but better to be safe and cautious than sorry) in regards to corporate worship, but overall super good.
September 1, 2021
This book is good, but I was disappointed with most of it. Merker gives a good overview of the ideals of corporate worship. Chapter 4 was the most helpful, where he lays out the "regulative principle" of defining parts of worship into elements (scriptural commands for worship), forms (ways we go about implementing the elements), and circumstances (practical aspects of organizing services). His comments later in the chapter on singing are also helpful, particularly in regard to the practical approach of choosing what songs should be sung in relation to edification, cultural applicability, etc. I also appreciated his phrasing of performing a "gospel audit" of our services.
The majority of the book, however, was just okay. He referenced scriptures constantly, which is good on one hand, because it shows he wants to ensure that readers know his conclusions are biblically based. However, he seemed unwilling to expand these points, and often his comments seemed only to serve as segues to the next scripture quotation. There are exceptions to this, such as his exposition of the golden calf story from Exodus. In general, though, I often found myself skimming.
Good book, but I was expecting a bit more.
The majority of the book, however, was just okay. He referenced scriptures constantly, which is good on one hand, because it shows he wants to ensure that readers know his conclusions are biblically based. However, he seemed unwilling to expand these points, and often his comments seemed only to serve as segues to the next scripture quotation. There are exceptions to this, such as his exposition of the golden calf story from Exodus. In general, though, I often found myself skimming.
Good book, but I was expecting a bit more.
April 21, 2023
Who gathers? Why do we gather together? What should we do when we gather? How should the gathering be ordered? How does the church participate when we gather? All of these questions (and many more) are answered from Scripture in this wonderful resource by Matt Merker.
I grew up in the evangelical culture and spent most of my life viewing the worship service as a sort of prelude performance before the main act (the preaching). Singing, observing baptisms and the Lord Supper, and listening to the preaching was largely about my own enjoyment, rather than a precious gathering of God's people hearing God's Word and responding to God's Word - together. This book adjusted my focus and made me excited for Sunday when we gather to worship as a corporate assembly.
Like the other books in the 9Marks series, Corporate Worship is a practical resource for churches in understanding and implementing a pattern of worship that glorifies God and strengthens the bond of the local church.
I grew up in the evangelical culture and spent most of my life viewing the worship service as a sort of prelude performance before the main act (the preaching). Singing, observing baptisms and the Lord Supper, and listening to the preaching was largely about my own enjoyment, rather than a precious gathering of God's people hearing God's Word and responding to God's Word - together. This book adjusted my focus and made me excited for Sunday when we gather to worship as a corporate assembly.
Like the other books in the 9Marks series, Corporate Worship is a practical resource for churches in understanding and implementing a pattern of worship that glorifies God and strengthens the bond of the local church.
July 3, 2021
God gathers us for His glory and what we do when we gather matters. This is a helpful read in communicating the important and necessary role of the congregant in view of the whole Body. I found it particularly encouraging to think of my current role in my Church’s meeting of accompanying and elevating the “congregation’s ministry of song”, and how I can grow in this with the other ‘musicians’. Every single thing we do when we gather matters and should turn our eyes to the glory of the gospel of Christ and our unity with one another as His Bride.
February 4, 2022
This book is a great introduction to the regulative principle, and it does a particularly good job at explaining God's role in assembling his people to worship. The book also helps differentiate between elements (things scripture calls us to do), forms (the manner that we go about an element), and circumstances (practical aspects like using air conditioning), and Merker gives lots of practical advice on the forms his church uses.
Music leaders will really profit from reading chapters 6 and 7, but they shouldn't skip the first 5 chapters to get there.
Music leaders will really profit from reading chapters 6 and 7, but they shouldn't skip the first 5 chapters to get there.
October 12, 2024
In a culture where the Sunday gathering is often seen primarily through an individual lens, this book emphasizes how the gathering is primarily corporate in nature. Rather than an emotional or entertainment experience, Merker richly, yet accessibly, instructs how the elements of the gathering —the reading and preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, congregational singing, and corporate confession— are most fundamentally corporate in nature. In short, our identify as corporate body biblically informs how we order the Sunday gathering.
Can't recommend enough!
Can't recommend enough!
January 29, 2024
This is a great, short book that offers theological background and structure along with practical suggestions on corporate worship. Meeker is clear on his opinions and leanings but does well to balance them with different ideas, even including quotes/references to differing articles.
I recommend this book to any Christian, whether in leadership or worship team member or a lay congregant, to read and study for the benefit of your church body.
I recommend this book to any Christian, whether in leadership or worship team member or a lay congregant, to read and study for the benefit of your church body.
September 3, 2021
Encouraging book on how the worship gathering on Sundays is a family dinner-like setting, where saints of a local church gather to encourage, love, and edify one another.
This book is special in its thesis of "Corporate worship" and what it means and looks like for a local church body to worship. I recommend this to any church member!
This book is special in its thesis of "Corporate worship" and what it means and looks like for a local church body to worship. I recommend this to any church member!
February 10, 2023
Great, concise book on corporate worship.
I love how Merker doesn't just discuss singing, but takes a look at ecclesiology; by focusing on the biblical purpose of the church, he is better able to zoom in on the particulars.
I have several helpful takeaways from this book that I hope will improve our corporate worship!
I love how Merker doesn't just discuss singing, but takes a look at ecclesiology; by focusing on the biblical purpose of the church, he is better able to zoom in on the particulars.
I have several helpful takeaways from this book that I hope will improve our corporate worship!
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