What To Expect from Rhythms of Grace

Several years ago, Joe Thorn emailed me a few questions for an interview at his blog. I was really encouraged by the response that blog post received, and that ultimately led me to write Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel.

The author of Ecclesiastes laments the writing of many books, and I’ll admit that I have wondered whether another book on worship is actually necessary. There are a host of great resources out there for people who want to better understand worship and think theologically about what they’re doing on Sundays. I’ve also wondered whether I in particular should write such a book.

Ultimately, two things motivated me to write the book. First, I thought back to my own journey. In many ways, this is the book that I wish someone had handed me in 2000, when I was asked to be in charge of our worship ministry at Sojourn. Second, I thought about the amazing servants that show up, week-in and week-out at Sojourn, making music and singing with the church. I wanted to write a book that helped them understand how their service to the church was part of a big story that God is telling about worship in redemption history.

Here are a few thoughts on what one might expect from the book:

• It’s a book for any Christian. Worship is not the job of a select few; it’s a call for the whole Church. I wanted to write something that would be readable and interesting for both musicians and non-musicians. Rhythms of Grace first tells the story of worship throughout redemption history, then digs into how that story should shape our gatherings - both as planners and participants. I hope that regular church-goers will read this book and be encouraged about the story they’re a part of and the opportunity before them in the church’s gatherings.
• It’s a book for practitioners. If you’re a worship leader that’s ever stopped and wondered, “why do we do this?” this is definitely a book for you. As I said already, it’s the book I wish I’d had when I began leading a worship ministry.
• It’s got a little bit of everything. Rhythms of Grace dips its toes in the water of theology, church history, and practical worship planning. Sometimes it only dips its toes. Hopefully, it will spur you onto a longer journey of discovery.

At the end of the day, it’s my hope that this book is a blessing to church musicians and congregations alike. I hope it helps us to gather, pray, and sing with our whole, glorious story in mind.

And… it’s available now.

What others are saying:

“I have read and heard preached a ton on the reality that ‘all of life is worship.’ It is and I wouldn’t want to argue that point, but what about when the covenant people of God gather together? Are there not some ways God desires us to worship corporately that can differ from how we worship in ‘all of life’? Mike has served the church well with Rhythms of Grace. I was both convicted and compelled as I read it.”

—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network; author, The Explicit Gospel

“For many churches, having a well thought out approach to how to lead music is woefully lacking. This needs to change, and this book will surely help. Rhythms of Grace will be a book that I will rely on in the future to develop music leaders for our church and the churches we plant. Clear, beautifully written, theologically grounded yet very practically helpful, and completely gospel-centered—this is a book for pastors and music leaders alike. In fact, I would get two copies so that pastors and musicians can read it together!”

—Zach Nielson, Pastor, The Vine Church