Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars

This book helps us all break from the idol of producing worship services to becoming and being worshippers of Jesus. Whether you are the guy in the skinny jeans and tats who leads believers in worship with an acoustic guitar or a credentialed classical musician who leads worship with an orchestra of trained musicians, you should read this book and have all worship team members read this book. Let his thoughts and insights surface and call into question our lean toward idolatry and promotion of self rather than a desire for whole-hearted worship even if it means obscurity. This is an easy read in sense of its readability but it is not an easy read if we actually answer some of the questions at the end of each chapter. The probing can be an uncomfortable healthy exercise. We have been given an incredible gift and responsibility in leading people to know, adore and surrender to Jesus Christ. This book will help some of us (self included) regain the purity of our call and vocation. It will also help others launch into an authentic and solid foundation of what it means to lead others in worship according to the Bible.

I’ll start off by stating that I’m not a theologian with any type of degree and I don’t review books for a living. I’m just a regular everyday guy that happens to play guitar and that by God’s grace has been put in a position of worship leader for the church I attend. That being said I will give my honest review of this book (four stars).I found this book to be very refreshing, practical and edifying in that instead of completely dealing with the theology of worship and all the technical details of worship, it deals with the realities of being a worship leader.As worship leaders and members of the worship team it’s easy to get lost in the business end of worship and distracted from our true purpose as worship leaders.I truly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a great “Heart check” type of book and I especially liked the 3 or 4 question study guide at the end of each chapter. I plan to use this book as I study with my worship team.

While this book is great for worship leaders who are in a "rockstar" environment, it will be redundant for someone in a traditional music director setting. If you are a worship leader, and you lead music from off to the side of the stage, and your congregation sings loud, and you don't talk for 5 minutes between every song, then this book will not be a HUGE help to you, as you will find yourself saying "yeah...I already do that or don't do that" to many of the points.Of course, Stephen stays on point with excellent discussion on Gospel centred worship, a life of holiness, and a call for theological depth. There are many things even a non-worship leader can learn from this book about Jesus in general, as any good church ministry oriented book should have.If you are like Chris Tomlin etc, and lead worship in a "rock star" setting, then yes, this book is for you!

Reading this book would be very profitable for any "worship leader", aka, church music person. Some of these books spend way too much time telling you the wandering story of a rock 'n roller who comes to mellow his/her worship music tastes out of conviction and not pressure from the congregation. The book would prove helpful for worship leaders and pastors to study together; provided they're not the same person. Recommended by several sound pastors and theologians. I'm praying our worship people will read the copy I gave to our church.

Good read, well written, solid points. Definitely one I would recommend for others to check out. One that I would pull back out and read again

I read this book in 2 days. Written with simplicity yet contains incredible depth. The author accurately broadens the scope of what being a worship leader means. We are not called to assume the stage as rock stars, using ministry platforms to promote ourselves and stroke the hidden pockets of pride within. The stage belongs to Christ. We must use our creativity to help people engage God. Excellent read!

I have followed Stephen Miller on Twitter for some time and love the perspective he offers to Christian Music Leaders. He explains the different pulls that performing can have on an individual and it is likely that any music leader has experienced these pulls at one time or another. I read through it and passed it on to a fairly new convert who raps. I would love to purchase copies for about 12 people but can't afford to so I will have to continue sharing.Also, pray for Stephen, his wife, and new baby (hopefully arriving very soon, if not a little while ago) Ethan.

It doesn't matter how many reviews you read, you can still be skeptical that a book lives up to the hype; what a pleasant surprise that this book delivers! I've been leading worship in various churches for the past 32 years and I think EVERY worship leader should read this book! I love how Stephen points us back to Jesus in every chapter, informs us of our calling and reminds us that if we call ourselves Christians, then that should radically effect every area of our lives BEFORE we ever step on a platform to lead the church to exalt the name of Jesus! Thanks, Stephen! Well done.

I chose to read this book to help me define why I help to lead in worship, especially music. The subject challenges your perception of your place & purpose in worship. Well worth the read.

This book leads us to the true meaning of worship. It's not about us... but all about God. I would recommend this to any worshipper of Jesus Christ.