The Music Architect - by Constance M Cherry (Paperback)

About the Book

A leading author and worship expert offers comprehensive guidance to Christian leaders seeking a deeper, richer way to employ worship music in engaging ways for 21st-century worshipers.

Book Synopsis

Guidance for Leaders Seeking a Richer Way to Employ Worship Music

Worship expert Constance Cherry offers comprehensive guidance to Christian leaders seeking a deeper, richer way to employ worship music in engaging ways for twenty-first-century worshipers. Following Cherry's successful book The Worship Architect, this work helps Christian leaders think theologically and act pastorally about worship music in their churches. It addresses larger issues beyond the surface struggles of musical styles and provides tools to critically evaluate worship songs. The book is applicable to all Christian traditions and worship styles and is well suited to both the classroom and the local church. Each chapter concludes with suggested practical exercises, recommended reading, and basic vocabulary terms.

From the Back Cover

Engaging Worshipers in Song

"Worship leaders from a variety of Christian traditions will find in this single source a place to orient themselves in their vocation, plan worship, and develop a faithful and full music ministry. Few can match Cherry's education, experience, and ecumenical perspective. The Music Architect situates the selection of music for worship in the broader context of being a pastoral musician who makes musical decisions with pastoral sensitivity and theological integrity as well as musical skill and insight. Cherry neither takes sides in the 'worship wars' nor calls for simplistic and amorphous 'blended' worship. Her blueprint aims for careful, nuanced, and diverse possibilities that reflect the creativity of the Holy Spirit. If you want to make a sustained and authentic difference in worship through music, start here."
--C. Michael Hawn, University Distinguished Professor of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

"What I love about this book is the clarity of thought it brings to its subject. Written with wisdom and grace, The Music Architect will energize and equip those who seek to lead their congregations with intelligent authenticity week by week in truly Christian worship."
--Graham Kendrick, worship leader and writer of numerous songs, including Knowing You; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Servant King; and Amazing Love

"Cherry clearly expresses an architectural vision of the role of music in worship, recalling the foundation of worship in God's vision. At the same time, she also cautions readers regarding ways that music and worship can become idolatrous. New students as well as seasoned pastors and musicians will find this book valuable in the formation of disciples through song."
--Melva Wilson Costen, Helmar Neilsen Professor of Music Emerita, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia

About the Author

Constance M. Cherry (DMin, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of worship and pastoral ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, and a founding faculty member of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. She speaks and teaches internationally and is a regular adjunct professor at several seminaries. Cherry has also served local churches as a minister of music/worship and as a pastor.