Worship leader Neil Bennetts and theologian Simon Ponsonby share a concern that modern worship is growing self-indulgent: more about performance, less about an encounter with the divine. They believe that this is a real and worrying trend in modern worship. To correct it, they explore the Bible's teaching on worship, addressing four key concerns: Worship as entertainment; worship which lacks wonder and awe; worship as irrelevant to mission; and worship which gratifies the worshipper rather than honoring the Almighty.
The authors each contribute six chapters, tackling worship and holiness; worship with passion; worship and the danger of idolatry. How, they ask, can we rediscover the mystery of an encounter with God, in corporate worship? How can leaders open themselves and their congregations to the heart of God, releasing his presence and power? How should we craft the unique dynamic of a people gathered to sing to God?