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.

• Part One presents a series of evocative "vignettes"--intriguing and descriptive titles and metaphors of who a Worship Pastor is and what he or she does. It shows the Worship Pastor as Church-Lover, Disciple Maker, Corporate Mystic, and Doxological Philosopher.
• Part Two covers specific roles related to ministry within the worship service itself--the Worship Pastor as Theological Dietician, Caregiver, Mortician, Emotional Shepherd, War General, Prophetic Guardian, Missional Historian, and Liturgical Architect.
• Part Three looks at ministry beyond the worship service--the Worship Pastor as Visionary Teacher, Evangelist, Artist Chaplain, and Team Leader.

While some worship leaders are eager to embrace their pastoral role, many are lost and confused or lack the resources of time or money to figure out what this role looks like. Pastor Zac Hicks gives us a clear guide to leading worship, one that takes the pastoral call seriously.

The modern role of the worship leader ... has emerged in recent years as a mission-critical position on church staffs" so writes Zac Hicks. But how do we characterize that role ... rock star, attendance stoker, culture broker, generational appeaser? With years of contemporary worship-leading experience, theological acumen, love of the church, and profound respect for the calling of leading God's people in declaring his glory, Hicks identifies the role as "pastor." That description is not a power-grab, but a humble acknowledgement of the sacredness of a task with so many heart implications for the people of God. Hicks explores perspectives that will inspire worship leaders and ennoble the worship practices and priorities of God's people. -- Bryan Chapell, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church; Author, Christ-centered Worship and Christ-centered Preaching I've said it publically, so now I'll document it. If I could choose one worship pastor to serve with for the rest of my life it would be Zac Hicks. Marinate in his book, Worship Pastor, and you'll understand why my words aren't pastoral hyperbole. I've never met a worship leader, of any age, who simultaneously exudes such a heart-enflaming grasp of the gospel and great theological care, a deep affection for Christ's church and a passion for corporate worship, creativity in building liturgy and joy in leading a service, an infectious love for his team and humility as a lead worshiper. No, this isn't Zac's eulogy; it's an introduction to a great book. Get it; soak in it; share it with many. -- Scotty Smith, Teacher in Residence, West End Community Church, Nashville TN FINALLY! Long has the worship community needed a guidebook for those understanding the role of the worship leader encompasses more than great music. This volume clearly defines the responsibilities worship pastors have to the body of Christ as: theologian, disciple, worshiper, evangelist, mentor, artist, counselor, musician, servant leader, and producer. Zac Hicks skillfully "pours himself" into every page of this book. He explains how these multiple roles, when merged together, define "the call" to pastor, nurture, disciple and love those entrusted to the care of the worship leader. Well written. Passionate. Insightful. Engaging. I highly recommend The Worship Pastor to anyone seeking to follow God's call to lead worship. -- Dr. Vernon M. Whaley, Dean, School of Music, Liberty University As the 'worship pastor' becomes a standard job title in local churches across the globe, we are in dire need of a guide for this unique vocation. Gleaning from the best Biblical, historical, and liturgical models, Zac Hicks has given us a masterpiece that is equal parts manual and manifesto. The fruit of Zac's faithful life and work as both a scholar and a worship pastor, this book is both theologically rich and readily applicable. It is pastoral theology at its very best. -- Glenn Packiam, Pastor, New Life Downtown; Author of Discover the Mystery of Faith and Secondhand Jesus The position of the worship leader has morphed into a highly influential place in church life over the past two centuries. Unfortunately, the actual role has often been relegated to picking a few songs, and not much more. Zac Hicks has laid down some important principles for worship leaders to function beyond merely choosing songs - as pastors. Worship leaders can have lasting, formative impact on congregational life - pastoring from the platform, as well as in relationships with those they serve. Worship leaders who will adapt Zac's principles and disciplines will find that their call to ministry will be widely enhanced...to the Glory of God. -- Dr. Edwin M. Willmington, Director of the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts, Fuller Seminary It's been 50 years since the first forms of contemporary worship. It's been 30 years since the position of "worship leader" developed. It's been 20 years since mainline churches adopted contemporary styles. And so it's time for a mature, multifaceted guide for those who have the stewardship for leading God's people in this worship. Zac Hicks' The Worship Pastor fills that need wonderfully. -- Lester Ruth, Research Professor of Christian Worship, Duke Divinity School This is book is an invitation to fundamentally re-envision the very identity of all of us who lead God's people in worship. We not are called to be performers and spiritual engineers. Rather, we are graced with the profound opportunity to shape a gifted response to the triune God, walking in step with God's Holy Spirit to give shape to the reception of God's Word and the response of God's people. My prayer is that this book will encourage and inspire both beginning and lifelong leaders of God's people, and lead to worship of greater theological depth and Christian joy. -- John D. Witvliet, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary

About the Author
Zac Hicks is pastor of Church of the Cross and adjunct lecturer in music and worship at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of The Worship Pastor and Worship by Faith Alone.

Reviews
'As worship pastor becomes a standard job title in churches across the globe, we are in dire need of a guide for this unique vocation. Zac Hicks has given us a masterpiece that is equal parts manual and manifesto. This book is pastoral theology at its very best.' * GLENN PACKIAM, pastor, New Life Downtown; author, Discover the Mystery of Faith *
'If I could choose one worship pastor to serve with for the rest of my life, it would be Zac Hicks. Marinate in his book, Worship Pastor, and you'll understand why my words aren't pastoral hyperbole. Get it; soak in it; share it with many.' * DR. SCOTTY WARD SMITH, teacher-in-residence, West End Community Church *
'In The Worship Pastor, Zac Hicks holds up the diamond of worship leading and wonderfully encourages us in its many faceted roles, reflecting the glory of the gospel with every view. This book is a must-read for pastors, worship pastors, and even worship team members.' * STEVE AND VIKKI COOK, songwriters, teachers, worship leader/team member *
'It's been fifty years since the first forms of contemporary worship appeared. It's been thirty years since the position of worship leader developed. It's been twenty years since mainline churches adopted contemporary styles. And so it's time for a mature, multifaceted guide for those who lead God's people in worship. Zac Hicks' The Worship Pastor fills that need wonderfully.' * LESTER RUTH, research professor of Christian worship, Duke Divinity School *
'Leading worship is a high and important calling, and leaders need the tools and resources to pull it off each Sunday. This book provides those resources and the inspiration that worship pastors need each week and in their own lives. There is no better guide than Zach Hicks.' * JIM BELCHER, PhD, president, Providence Christian College *
'Long has the worship community needed a guidebook for understanding that the role of the worship leader encompasses more than great music. I highly recommend The Worship Pastor to anyone seeking to follow God's call to lead worship.' * DR. VERNON M. WHALEY, dean, School of Music, Liberty University *
'Not only is this book well-written, it is deeply wise and consistently scriptural. I love this book. I wish that every worship pastor (and every pastor) would read it. Read it. You will be pleasantly surprised.' * ELYSE M. FITZPATRICK, author; Home: How Heaven and the New Earth Satisfy Our Deepest Longings *
'Speaking from years of personal experience, Zac Hicks offers this winsome invitation to worship leaders to think of themselves as ministers as well as musicians. Essential reading.' * MAGGI DAWN, associate professor of theology and literature, Yale Divinity School *
'The modern role of the worship leader . . . has emerged in recent years as a missioncritical position on church staffs," writes Zac Hicks. But how do we characterize that role? With years of contemporary worship-leading experience, theological acumen, love of the church, and profound respect for the calling of leading God's people in declaring his glory, Hicks identifies the role as pastor. Hicks explores perspectives that will inspire worship leaders and ennoble the worship practices and priorities of God's people. ' * DR. BRYAN CHAPELL, pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church; author, Christ-centered Worship *
'This book is a welcome introduction to the multidimensional nature of worship leadership. Written for practitioners by a practitioner, Hicks brings a convincing voice to the slow-growing but much-needed plea for worship leaders to take up the pastoral duties that are so vital for successful ministry. I highly recommend it for persons in any stage of worship ministry.' * CONSTANCE M. CHERRY, professor of worship and pastoral ministry, Indiana Wesleyan University *
'This is book is an invitation to reenvision the identity of all of us who lead God's people in worship. My prayer is that it will encourage and inspire both beginning and lifelong leaders of God's people, and lead to worship of greater theological depth and Christian joy.' * JOHN D. WITVLIET, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Calvin College and Theological Seminary *
'Zac has thoughtfully and thoroughly addressed the many creative avenues in which worship can be pastored. And that's so important, because techie artists like me need a better, deeper theological understanding of the influence we have over the worship space. And how we may actually be worship pastors even though it's not in our job title.' * STEPHEN PROCTOR, visual liturgist and projection artist, illuminate.us *
'Zac Hicks educates and challenges us to carefully consider how we "do" our function as congregational leaders of prayer, all the while christening us with an elevated title that suits the role: the worship pastor.' * CHUCK FROMM, founder, Worship Leader Magazine *
'Zac Hicks has laid down some important principles for worship leaders to function beyond merely choosing songs---as pastors. Worship leaders who adapt Zac's principles and disciplines will find that their call to ministry will be widely enhanced to the glory of God.' * DR. EDWIN M. WILLMINGTON, director, Fred Bock Institute of Music, Fuller Theological Seminary *



Book Information
ISBN 9780310525196
Author Zac M. Hicks
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Zondervan
Publisher Zondervan
Weight(grams) 181g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 152mm * 17mm