Best Books For Worship Leaders

As worship leaders, we must constantly grow and learn in our craft. Whether you’re new to the role or a seasoned veteran, there’s always more to discover about leading worship and connecting with God through music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best books for worship leaders. 

These books cover various topics, from practical advice on leading services and writing original music, to Biblical worship and theology. With insights from experienced worship leaders, pastors, and even a couple of theologians, these books will provide guidance, inspiration, and practical tips to help you lead worship excellently.

Join us as we explore the top resources for worship leaders, and discover new ways to grow and improve in your role.

THE Best Book For Worship Leaders

It must be said: no book on this list is a substitute for reading God’s Word. These books are resources to be read alongside your Bible. Don’t get me wrong, the books in this list are awesome. However, the Bible is the ultimate source of spiritual growth and guidance for worship leaders.

Now let’s continue on to our list of the

The 10 Best Books for Worship Leaders

1. Worship Mentors – The strategies, advice, and wisdom of the world’s most influential worship leaders.

Description

When facing questions on worship and leadership, who do you turn to for advice? We all need mentors, especially when we’ve become stagnant or faced with new obstacles. 

But getting a mentor can be hard. From finding the right person, approaching them, and asking for help. So we’ve done the hard part for you.

Over the past three years, the Worship Online team has interviewed over 200 of the most influential worship leaders in the world. 

And we’ve distilled their best advice for worship leaders into this short action-packed book of tips and wisdom. Whether you want to become an exceptional leader, write heart-grabbing songs, experience more of God’s presence, or spread the love of Jesus to the world through music, you’ll find help in this book. 

Our Thoughts

Worship Mentors is the most comprehensive book for Worship leaders that exists today. When we set out to create Worship Mentors, we wanted to ensure we went deep on EVERYTHING. This book is a powerful and inspiring resource for worship leaders. Through interviews and conversations with leading figures in the world of worship music, this book offers unique insight into the lessons and strategies used by some of the most successful and influential worship leaders of our time. 

Covering topics such as mentoring, forming a team community, songwriting techniques, vocal techniques, leading with excellence, and cultural relevance, this book provides invaluable advice from first-hand experiences to help equip worship leaders for spiritual leadership. With its inspirational stories and real-life examples from experienced practitioners, it will give you an uplifting roadmap to help you hone your skills in leading others in meaningful praise and worship.

Worship Mentors is essentially a “choose your own adventure” guide covering all the topics a worship leader could ever need. And answers any questions you may have, from spirituality to the technical details of planning a worship service. It’s a book you will leave sitting out so you can return to it repeatedly.

Anyone who reads this book will come away with a solid blueprint on how to make a huge impact in their community through worship.

It’s direct advice from worship leaders that are making a massive impact on the kingdom like Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kari Jobe, Jeremy Camp, Tasha Cobbs, and many more. As well as leaders from Hillsong, Maverick City, Bethel, Jesus Culture, Elevation, Switchfoot, etc.

The best part is right now you can get a FREE copy from this link here. 

You just have to cover the shipping costs. If you’re looking for your next read or a gift for the leader/s in your life, this is it. 

2. How To Worship A King – Zach Neese

Description

Worship is more than music. It is the impetus for everything we do as Christians.  It is expressed through every action of our lives and helps us become more Christlike. When we learn to worship God throughout our life, we become better Christians, ministers, musicians, parents, and mechanics.

Transform every area of your life through worship.

This book unfolds a holistic view of worship to experience peace, joy, and the richness of living in God’s presence. Be drawn to the heart of God as you explore answers to important questions such as:

• What are praise and worship, and what is my part in them?  
• How can I be a worship leader if I’m not a musician or singer?
• What does the Bible teach about how we come into the presence of God and how we lead other people into the presence of God?

Zach Neese is the worship pastor at Gateway Church’s North Fort Worth Campus. Along with pastoring his local church, he is currently a professor at The King’s University at Gateway and travels internationally to teach on worship.

Our Thoughts

This book changed my life when I read it over 10 years ago. I felt like it was the first time I was ever really taught about Biblical worship. Emphasizing the importance of being faithful to God’s Word, it provides a comprehensive guide on how to approach Him. This powerful resource has convicted me and drawn me closer to Jesus through His Word. 

It teaches that worship ministry isn’t about pleasing people; it’s about connecting with the Lord and sharing in His grace through praise and song (Psalm 22:3). This book has been an invaluable tool that has led to a deepened understanding of the redemptive power of worshiping Christ and all He stands for. If you want to strengthen your relationship with God, take some time out of your day to read this book and immerse yourself in scripture!

Overall, “How To Worship a King” is an insightful and inspiring book about the etiquette of approaching God. Brimming with examples from the Bible, it guides readers on how to prepare their hearts and lives to worship the Lord in spirit and truth. Zach shares his experiences as a pastor and musician to provide practical advice and wisdom on leading services with excellence. 

Alongside this, he encourages followers of Christ to share His love in their communities and spread the gospel of peace. With its thought-provoking scriptures, vivid storytelling, and inspiring insights, “How To Worship a King” will fill you with hope as you come to better understand God’s remarkable grace.

3. The Reset – Returning to the Heart of Worship and a Life of Undivided Devotion by Jeremy Riddle

Description

Even as the sound of modern worship has grown louder, the heartbeat of true worship has grown faint. This is a call for those whose hearts burn to see it revived – who burn with reformation’s fire. Who long to see the purity of worship restored and the Lord’s house of prayer once again reflect the fullness of his glory and the wonders of his heart.  

The Reset is not simply a book on worship, it’s an appeal to the broader worshiping community to once again re-order their lives and practices in accordance with the sacred and priestly calling they were given and zealously return to the heart of worship. 

Our Thoughts

“The Reset: Returning to the Heart of Worship and a Life of Undivided Devotion” by Jeremy Riddle is a no-nonsense book that gets straight to the point about the importance of authenticity in worship. Jeremy calls out worship leaders who prioritize their personal brand over leading people in true worship. However, his approach is done with love and intends to raise up true worship leaders, not just musicians. If you’re a worship leader looking to return to the heart of worship and create an atmosphere for true praise to God, this book is for you.

Jeremy’s reflections on his journey of worship and devotion helped me gain a deeper understanding of the importance of returning to the heart of worship.

Jeremy’s message resonates with the early gospels and reminds us of the longing for authentic, spirit-led worship. The book encourages a renewed way of worship that strips away the distractions of big stages, bands, and light shows and instead focuses on the sweet presence of God in the company of other believers. The book’s message is needed by many and will resonate with those who want to see the church restored and true worship renewed.

Overall, I found “The Reset: Returning to the Heart of Worship and a Life of Undivided Devotion” to be a valuable resource for worship leaders. It offers practical guidance and inspiration that will help worship leaders cultivate a deeper sense of devotion in their own lives and create a worship environment where people can truly connect with God. I highly recommend this book for any worship leader looking to return to the heart of worship and live a life of undivided devotion.

4. Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God by Bob Kauflin

Description:

Nothing is more essential than knowing how to worship the God who created us. This book focuses readers on the essentials of God-honoring worship, combining biblical foundations with practical application in a way that works in the real world. The author, a pastor and noted songwriter, skillfully instructs pastors, musicians, and church leaders so that they can root their congregational worship in unchanging scriptural principles, not divisive cultural trends. 

Bob Kauflin covers various topics such as the devastating effects of worshiping the wrong things, how to base our worship on God’s self-revelation rather than our assumptions, the fuel of worship, the community of worship, and the ways that eternity’s worship should affect our earthly worship.

Appropriate for Christians from varied backgrounds and for various denominations, this book will bring a vital perspective to what readers think they understand about praising God.

Our Thoughts:

As a worship leader, I found “Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God” by Bob Kauflin to be an incredibly helpful and practical resource. The author’s insights on the theology and practice of worship helped me to gain a deeper understanding of how to lead others in worship and facilitate encounters with the greatness of God.

One of the things that stood out to me was the author’s emphasis on the importance of biblical theology in worship. This helped me understand how to ground my worship in biblical truth and theology, rather than personal preferences or cultural trends.

This book is an incredibly comprehensive guide for worship leaders. The author covers the reasons for worship and the practical and biblical aspects of leading worship effectively. He also provides guidance on how worship leaders can avoid common pitfalls and be better support for their pastors. The book is loaded with helpful tips and deep insights that can only come from someone who has made worship a lifestyle.

I appreciated that Kauflin never comes across as arrogant or superior, but instead shares personal examples of his own mistakes as a worship leader and pastor. This book will benefit new worship leaders and anyone serious about being part of a biblical, God-centered ministry. I highly recommend “Worship Matters” for any worship leader looking to deepen their understanding of the theology and practice of worship.

5. Worship – The Reason We Were Created by A.W. Tozer

Description

Few subjects invigorated A. W. Tozer like the topic of worship. He saw it—like the church has traditionally—as the sole reason for which creation exists. 

Worship: The Reason We Were Created features collections from the beloved spiritual writer on this important topic. The church’s current worship is emaciated; its thoughts of God are too low. Here is a compilation to raise those thoughts once more, and provoke the church to true, spiritual worship. 

Topics include: 

• The act and object of worship 
• The Presence of God
• Worship throughout the week
• Feelings and emotions in worship
• Man as a worshiping creature

If it’s true that we are made to worship God, that it is the sole reason that we exist, that we are most alive when we live for His glory, then reading Worship is more than time well spent. It is time invested in the very foundation of your life.

Our Thoughts:

“Worship – The Reason We Were Created” by A.W. Tozer is a powerful and compelling call for Christians to return to pure, God-centered worship. This book was written over 50 years ago. And even though it’s the oldest of our best books for worship leaders recommendations, its message is still as relevant today as it was then. Tozer looks closely at why we were created, our attitudes toward worship, and how we can return to Christ-centered worship.

Tozer’s writing style is direct and to the point, he doesn’t hold back and he uses excellent examples to drive home his points. This book stands out among Tozer’s works and is a must-read for Christians. It is a convicting and encouraging read emphasizing the crucial role worship should play in our walk with Christ.

As a worship leader, this book has been a profound and insightful read. The author’s perspective on worship as the core reason for our existence has helped me understand the importance of worship more deeply.

One of the things that stood out to me was Tozer’s emphasis on the importance of understanding the nature of God and our relationship with Him to truly worship Him. This helped me to understand that true worship is not about us and our performance, but about recognizing and responding to who God is and what He has done for us.

Overall, I found “Worship – The Reason We Were Created” to be a valuable resource for worship leaders. It offers a deep understanding of the nature of God and the importance of worship in our lives. I highly recommend this book for any worship leader looking to deepen their understanding of the meaning and purpose of worship.

6. Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison

Description:

Writing Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. This revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas to understanding the form and function of a song to fine-tuning lyrics.

Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics and more advanced techniques. Songwriters will discover:

• How to use sense-bound imagery to enhance a song’s emotional impact on listeners
• Techniques for avoiding clichés and creating imaginative metaphors and similes
• Ways to use repetition as an asset
• How to successfully manipulate meter
• Instruction for matching lyrics with music
• Ways to build on ideas and generate effective titles
• Advice for working with a co-writer
• And much more

Featuring updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from over 20 chart-topping songs, Writing Better Lyrics gives you all the professional and creative insight you need to write powerful lyrics and put your songs in the spotlight where they belong.

Our Thoughts

Although “Writing Better Lyrics” is not a “Christian” book, I found it a game changer for songwriting. Because of this, it’s found its way onto our list of best books for worship leaders. The author’s insights on the craft of songwriting and lyric writing helped me better understand the process of creating meaningful and impactful songs.

One of the things that stood out to me was the author’s emphasis on the importance of understanding the structure of a song and how it can be used to create a powerful and emotional impact. This helped me to understand how to craft more effective verses, choruses, and bridges.

I also appreciated the author’s guidance on how to create lyrics that are both personal and universal. This helped me understand how to write relatable lyrics and connect with people on a deeper level.

The author’s insights on the importance of using imagery and metaphor to create vivid and memorable songs were particularly enlightening for me. It helped me to understand how to use these elements to create more impactful and memorable lyrics.

Overall, I found “Writing Better Lyrics” to be a valuable resource for worship leaders and songwriters. It offers practical guidance and techniques to help songwriters craft more effective and impactful lyrics. I highly recommend this book to any worship leader or songwriter who wants to improve their writing and create more meaningful and impactful songs.

7. The Worship Pastor by Zac Hicks

Description:

Modern worship leaders are restless. They have inherited a model of leadership that equates leading worship with being a rock star. But leading worship is more than a performance, it’s about shaping souls and making disciples. Every worship leader is really a pastor.

The Worship Pastor is a practical and biblical introduction to this essential pastoral role. Filled with engaging, illustrative stories it is organized to address questions of theory and practice, striving to balance conversational accessibility with informed instruction. It is meant to be read by pastors, worship leaders, worship teams, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding and worship experience.

The Worship Pastor presents a series of evocative “vignettes”–intriguing and descriptive titles and metaphors of who a Worship Pastor is and what he or she does. 

Our thoughts:

This book is an essential guide for worship leaders and teams who are looking to deepen their understanding of worship ministry and its role in the church. Written by a seasoned worship pastor, this book offers practical guidance and theological insights on the nature of worship, the role of the worship leader, and the importance of building a healthy worship team.

The author helps us understand the importance of biblical worship theology and how to apply it in the local church. He also provides guidance on how to build a healthy worship team and how to lead that team. The book is filled with practical advice on selecting and leading worship songs, training and developing worship team members, and communicating effectively with the congregation.

The author also discusses how to lead worship in different contexts, from small rural churches to megachurches. He also shares his experience leading worship in multicultural settings and how to navigate those contexts.

The Worship Pastor is a must-read for anyone passionate about worship ministry and who wants to lead their congregation in a way rooted in biblical theology and practical wisdom. It will equip worship leaders with the tools and understanding needed to lead worship in a way that is faithful to God’s Word, and beneficial for the church.

8. Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace by James B. Torrance

Description:

Here is a book that sets our worship, sacraments, communion, and language of God back on track. In a day when refinement of method and quality of experience are the guiding lights for many Christians, James Torrance points us to the indispensable who of worship, the triune God of grace. 

Torrance writes that worship is the gift of participating through the Spirit in the incarnate Son’s communion with the Father. This book explores the notion that the doctrine of the Trinity may be indispensable for the creed but remote from life and worship. Firmly rooted in Scripture and theology, alive with pastoral counsel and anecdote, Torrance’s work shows us why real trinitarian theology is the very fiber of Christian confession.

Our Thoughts:

Although this book is very theology heavy, it has still found its place on our list of best books for worship leaders. It focuses on the “who” of worship – the triune God of grace – rather than the “how.” The author argues that the Trinity is crucial for correct doctrine and ethics and understanding and performing worship correctly. In many churches, there is too much emphasis on the practical “how-tos” of the Christian life and not enough on the nature of the God we worship.

The ultimate goal of worship is to live in communion with God the Father, Son, and Spirit. The author reminds us that God is the main actor in all our practices and expressions and that we were created to live in Him. As the book concludes, “Let us look to Jesus and his Spirit will lift us up as a community of faith into the triune life of God.”

As a worship leader, I found Torrance’s words very enlightening. The author’s insights on the theology of worship and its connection to the community of believers and the nature of the Triune God helped me to deepen my understanding of worship ministry and its role in the church.

Overall, I found “Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace” to be a valuable resource for worship leaders. It offers theological insights and practical guidance to help worship leaders understand the biblical and historical foundations of worship and its role in the church’s life. I highly recommend this book for any worship leader looking to go deep on some foundational principles of worship.

9. The Worship Architect, 2nd Edition: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services by Constance Cherry

Description:

Many books are available on worship today, but few provide a comprehensive, practical method for worship design. Constance M. Cherry, a worship professor, and practitioner, provides worship leaders with credible blueprint plans for designing worship services that foster meaningful conversation with God and the gathered community. 

Readers will learn how to create services that are faithful to Scripture, historically conscious, relevant to God, Christ-centered, and engaging for worshipers of all ages in the twenty-first century. The book sets forth basic principles concerning worship design and demonstrates how these principles are conducive to virtually any style of worship practiced today in a myriad of Christian communities. 

It will also work well as a guide for worship-planning teams in local churches and provide insight for worship students, pastors, and church leaders involved in congregational worship.

Our Thoughts 

As a worship leader, I found “The Worship Architect” by Constance Cherry incredibly valuable. The author’s insights on how to design worship services that are both culturally relevant and biblically faithful were particularly enlightening for me. I appreciated the author’s emphasis on understanding the culture and how it affects how people worship and how we can design services relevant to the culture while being faithful to the Bible.

One of the things that stood out to me was the author’s guidance on creating worship services that are inclusive and accessible to all people, regardless of their background or culture. This is something that I have been striving to do in my own worship leading, and the author’s suggestions and examples were incredibly helpful.

I also appreciated the author’s practical advice on creating liturgical elements, choosing music, and using technology to enhance worship services. The author’s guidance on how to create worship services that are both engaging and meaningful, including how to create sermons, prayers, and litanies that are relevant to the culture.

Overall, I found “The Worship Architect” a valuable resource for worship leaders. It offers practical advice and theological insights that will help worship leaders design worship services that are both culturally relevant and biblically faithful. I highly recommend this book for any worship leader looking to create more engaging, meaningful, and inclusive worship services.

10. Spirituality of the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann

Description:

Based on the bestseller, The Message of the Psalms, this condensed version offers readers simple insight into how the Psalms apply to every season of life.

The Psalms nourish and nurture. The Psalms provide voices of faith in the life of a community. In this shortened version of The Message of the Psalms, Dr. Brueggemann provides an insightful perspective and a structured overview of the Psalms using three categories: orientation, disorientation, and new orientation. Orientation is the establishment of structure and order. Disorientation is a place of imbalance and nonsense even potentially unjust. New orientation is moving forward away from what was and toward new possibilities.

Spirituality of the Psalms brings together the Christian faith, expressions of suffering, hope, and seasons of everyday life. Brueggeman explains how Psalms of negativity, cries for vengeance, and profound penitence is foundational to a life of faith and establishes that the reality of deep loss and amazing gifts are held together in a powerful tension.

In this succinct edition, Brueggemann encourages readers to study specific Psalms and consider God’s justice in an unjust world. Spirituality of the Psalms is a brief yet thought-provoking edition for any reader wanting to understand the complex dynamics found within the Old Testament Psalms.

Our Thoughts:

I found “Spirituality of the Psalms” by Walter Brueggemann to be a deeply enriching and transformative read. The author’s insights on the spiritual dimensions of the Psalms helped me to understand and appreciate the Psalms in a new way.

For worship leaders, it’s a great resource. It has helped me better understand the psalms’ structure and how they can be used in our lives today. Brueggemann’s insights into the spiritual aspects of the psalms have been incredibly helpful in helping me craft meaningful worship experiences for my congregation. His writing is clear and concise, making it easy to follow along and gain a deeper understanding of this important part of scripture. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to explore the spirituality of the psalms more deeply.

Wrapping up The Best Books For Worship Leaders

As a worship leader, it is crucial to constantly seek new knowledge and inspiration to lead your congregation in worship. That’s why I’m thrilled you’re even looking at a list of the best books for worship leaders. The books on this list were handpicked to give you the tools and resources you need to lead worship with excellence. From books on theology and worship to practical guides on leading services and writing original music, these books will help you to deepen your understanding of worship and connect with God more deeply.

We hope this list of the 10 best books for worship leaders will inspire and guide you on your journey as a worship leader. Take the time to read and study these books, and use the knowledge and insights you gain to improve your worship leadership skills and better serve your congregation. Remember, the best way to lead others in worship is to continually grow in your own worship of God.