Composing Music for Worship

This work asks important questions about contemporary church music: what kind of music is needed?; what will speak deeply to people?; and what will embody the Christian good news and attract people to church? Graham Kendrick, John Bell and John Harper join other top names in religious music in this manual for church musicians which covers all tastes and styles. They explore what kind of music will speak in today's consumerist, multi-cultural, post-modern society where church attendance is in decline, yet chart-topping sales of CDs by composers such as John Tavener indicate real spiritual openness. This volume assesses the great variety of music on offer in different churches and searches for a way forward for music in worship. A cross-denominational resource, it is aimed at musicians, worship leaders, clergy and all concerned with the mission and worship of the churches.