Fields of Study: Annotated Bibliography in Worship Studies

This annotated bibliography highlights essential texts in the field of worship studies.

1. Fields of Study: Worship Studies MUS 501 Research Methods in Worship Studies Dr. David Toledo

2. We Become what we Worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies G.K. Beale develops a theology of idolatry by looking carefully at both the Old and New Testaments and shows us that idolatry is truly the inverse of what we were called to do - serving as image bearers of the true God. Beale, G.K. We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008.

3. Unceasing Worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies In Unceasing Worship , former dean of the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College, Harold Best provides keen insights on worship and the arts. This work will challenge your presuppositions and cause you to consider your calling more fully. Best, Harold. Unceasing Worship: Biblical Perspectives on Worship and the Arts. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

4. For the glory of God Fields of Study: Worship Studies Old Testament scholar Daniel Block has carefully crafted this biblical theology of worship based on a thorough reading of the Old and New Testament. The work challenges readers to evaluate their own worship practices in light of the scriptures. Block, Daniel Isaac. For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.

5. The search for the origins of Christian Worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies Noted scholar Paul Bradshaw provides current research and historical evidence of early Christian Worship practices. This is a dependable source for information in the few hundreds years of the church. Bradshaw, Paul F. The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship: Sources and Methods for the Study of Early Liturgy. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2002.

6. Christ-Centered worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies This foundational worship studies text examines the Gospel-centered nature of worship and demonstrates how this pattern has been utilized throughout the various worship traditions across the centuries and denominations. Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.

7. The Worship Architect Fields of Study: Worship Studies Constance Cherry unpacks a useful metaphor of building a house to describe the worship design process. This book will transform the way in which you design and lead worship services. Cherry, Constance M. The Worship Architect: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010.

8. The worship pastor Fields of Study: Worship Studies The Worship Pastor invites us to consider the many roles we serve in ministry. This insightful book reframes leadership away from simply music making toward a holistic view of service in the Body of Christ. Hicks, Zac. The Worship Pastor: A Call to Ministry for Worship Leaders and Teams. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016.

9. Worship Matters Fields of Study: Worship Studies Bob Kauflin, director of Sovereign Grace Music, unpacks the role of the worship leader and shows how worship is the fundamental action of the church. His writing is accessible and full of biblical depth as well as rich application. Kauflin, Bob. Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008.

10. Lovin’ on Jesus Fields of Study: Worship Studies This unlikely duo of Methodist scholars has written an important historical and theological survey of contemporary worship. This traces the development of contemporary worship, focused through various lenses such as time, space, music, and the Word of God. Lim, Swee-Hong, and Lester Ruth. Lovin’ on Jesus: A Concise History of Contemporary Worship. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2017.

11. Worship in the early church Fields of Study: Worship Studies This classic text on worship practices in the early church provides a reliable framework for understanding how the early believers emerged from Judaism to establish new worship practices focused on Christ. Martin, Ralph P. Worship in the Early Church. [Rev. ed.]. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1974.

12. Worship in the shape of scripture Fields of Study: Worship Studies This text challenges us to frame our worship design and leadership through the lens of Scripture. Rather than merely being a component of our services, the Word of God can shape the entire worship experience. Mitman, F. Russell. Worship in the Shape of Scripture. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 2001.

13. Engaging with God Fields of Study: Worship Studies One of the first comprehensive biblical theologies of worship, Engaging with God is a must have text for any serious student of worship. It provides a rich foundation of thinking about worship rooted in the Scriptures. Peterson, David. Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

14. Enthroned on our praise Fields of Study: Worship Studies Timothy Pierce develops a theology of worship based on the Old Testament and effectively communicates principles that translate into worship practices of today. Pierce, Timothy M. Enthroned on Our Praise: An Old Testament Theology of Worship. NAC Studies in Bible & Theology 4. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2008.

15. Recalling the hope of glory Fields of Study: Worship Studies Recalling the Hope of Glory traces the story of worship from Genesis through Revelation. It provides tremendous insight into both the practices and theological implications of worship in both the Old and New Testaments Ross, Allen. Recalling the Hope of Glory: Biblical Worship from the Garden to the New Creation. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2006.

16. Evangelical Worship Training opportunities and resources for worship leaders Melanie Ross examines the diverse strands of Evangelical Worship to offer a thorough definition of the theology and practices of the Evangelical Church. Ross, Melanie C. Evangelical Worship: An American Mosaic. Oxford University Press, 2021.

17. Historical Foundations of worship Training opportunities and resources for worship leaders Historical Foundations of Worship is a collection of essays on the historical development of worship practices in the various branches of the Christian faith tradition. It presents the information from a broad cross-section of perspectives. Ross, Melanie C., and Mark A. Lamport, eds. Historical Foundations of Worship: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Perspectives. Worship Foundations. Baker Academic, 2022.

18. A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies Ruth and Lim return with a thorough study of the history of contemporary praise & worhip. They trace this development across two strands of practices, offering keen insight into the key figures and ideas that shaped modern worship. Ruth, Lester, and Swee-Hong Lim. A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship: Understanding the Ideas That Reshaped the Protestant Church. Baker Academic, 2021.

19. Christian Worship Training opportunities and resources for worship leaders Now in its third edition, Christian Worship provides a comprehensive overview of the theology, history, and practice of worship leadership. There’s something for everyone in this text! Segler, Franklin M., C. Randall Bradley, and Franklin M. Segler. Christian Worship: Its Theology and Practice. 3rd ed., [and expanded]. Nashville, TN: B & H Pub. Group, 2006.

20. Christian Liturgy Fields of Study: Worship Studies Lutheran scholar Frank Senn provides a thorough explanation of Christian liturgy in historical and theological terms. This massive tome is a definitive source of information regarding the development of worship service patterns and practices. Senn, Frank C. Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1997.

21. Worship, Community, and the triune God of grace Fields of Study: Worship Studies While relatively small in size, this text has had a profound impact on my thinking regarding worship. Torrance challenges us to consider what it means to have Trinitarian worship practices as a gathered body of believers. Torrance, James B. Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1996.

22. Oxford History of christian worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies This thorough history covers a wide range of topics from the familiar (Protestant Reformation) to more obscure (Christianity in India). It is a definitive source for historical information and relatively bias-free details of practices. Wainwright, Geoffrey, and Karen B. Westerfield Tucker, eds. The Oxford History of Christian Worship. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006.

23. Worship Old and New Fields of Study: Worship Studies Robert Webber’s influence continues to shape worship around the globe. This work is the distillation of his thoughts on worship, music, and the arts. Worship Old & New challenges the reader to press boldly to the future by embracing the past. Webber, Robert E. Worship Old & New: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Introduction. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.

24. Complete library of Christian Worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies This 8-volume work is unparalleled in its scope and depth of research. Covering topics from biblical theology, history, actions of worship, and the worship arts, this resource should be on your shelf. Webber, Robert, ed. The Complete Library of Christian Worship. 8 Volumes. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publications, 1996.

25. A Brief history of Christian Worship Fields of Study: Worship Studies Methodist scholar James White wrote numerous formative texts on worship. This history provides a solid, yet manageable study of the development of worship practices from the early church until the early 1990s. White, James F. A Brief History of Christian Worship. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1993.

26. Theological Foundations of worship Training opportunities and resources for worship leaders The companion to Historical Foundations of Worship , this work traces the embedded theological truths within the worship practices of the Christian faith. It is ecumenical in scope, but is even-handed in its theological perspective. Williams, Khalia J., and Mark A. Lamport, eds. Theological Foundations of Worship: Biblical, Systematic, and Practical Perspectives. Worship Foundations. Baker Academic, 2021.