Assist Our Song

Worship and its music together form one of the strongest sources of Christian nourishment and spiritual formation. This comprehensive and practical volume explores the broad range of music in today's churches from the traditional to the technological. It considers the role of music in widely varying worship contexts from cathedral to café church and in online services, and demonstrates how it contributes to the life and mission of the church. Assist Our Song combines accessible teaching about the theology and shape of worship with essential information about the forms of music used, including congregational hymns, songs, canticles and psalm chant, and music performed by choirs and musicians. It explores the range of resources available, how to extend repertoire, blending the old with the new, changing patterns of church life, and other practical issues. Its aims are the heightening of the profile of music within the church, increasing the skills and understanding on the part of musicians and choirs, assisting leaders of worship and empowering congregations to see themselves also as 'ministers of music'. It offers practical assistance for the 'delivery' of music - choosing music, making the most of choirs and working with musicians. It will be welcomed by all who lead, provide or curate music in worship, as well as clergy and ordinands who lack musical expertise or confidence.