Honest Worship: From False Self to True Praise
Ebook
Overview
When asked by his son why some churches have smoke machines, worship pastor Manuel Luz found himself responding, “Well, technically, you need smoke machines to see the lasers.” But when you take down the smokescreen, what do you have left? Where do we encounter the Holy in the midst of all this? Where can we worship with our full selves—heart, soul, mind, and body—in Spirit and truth?Drawing from his own experience leading worship in a large congregation and feeling the pull of performance, Manuel Luz guides us on a journey through worship that takes us far beyond style and deep into our own souls. He calls us back to an honest worship that moves past facades and pulls us inward toward the true self that God is forming within each of us. Each chapter ends with a spiritual practice designed to help us set aside pretense and enter into the very presence of God.
Introduction: Falling on My Face
Part I: Worship on the Cutting Edge
1. Smoke Machines and Laser Lights
2. Golden Dreams, Golden Calves
3. The Consumer-Driven Life
4. The Culture of Narcissism
Part II: Pride and Humility
5. Pride on the Platform
6. The Nature of Identity
7. Worship from the True Self
8. Soul Worship
Part III: Rediscovering Worship
9. The Church Gathered
10. The Rhythm of Worship
11. The Other Six Days of the Week
12. Compassion and Justice
13. The Deep End of the Pool
Epilogue: Still Falling
Acknowledgments
Discussion Guide
Notes
"If honest worship is a matter of remaining unhidden in the presence of God, living without pretenses before a watching world, and being ruthlessly committed to truthful self-examination, then that is the kind of worship the church sorely needs, even if it is awfully difficult to achieve. By God’s grace it is achievable. Helps are needed though, and this book is precisely the kind of help that gets pastors and parishioners worshiping honestly before a gracious God, for whom such worship is deeply pleasing."
"You had me at, ‘why do we need smoke machines in church?’! Honest Worship is a must-read for anyone who is involved in leading or participating in worship. It is honest, challenging, convicting, and inspiring—and will change the way you approach this key, spiritual practice!"
"We all worship something, whether we realize it or not. If you’ve chosen to worship God, you need this book. If you lead others in worship of God, you need this book. It will open your eyes to what has been missing in our worship. Honest Worship shows us how to really align our souls with the One who made us so that we can experience the fullness of worshiping ’in spirit and truth.’"
Product Details
- Title : Honest Worship: From False Self to True Praise
- Authors:
- Luz, Manuel
- Noland, Rory
- Publisher: IVP Books
- Publication Date: 2018
- ISBN: 9780830880256
Manuel Luz is the creative arts pastor of Oak Hills Church in Folsom, California, and has been an active advocate for worship and the arts for more than twenty-five years. He is also the author of Imagine That, a working musician and songwriter, and the co-inventer of the musical instrument the WalkaBout.