Zac M. Hicks - The Worship Pastor: A Call to Ministry for Worship Leaders and Teams

The modern role of the worship leader... has emerged in recent years as a mission-critical 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 Gods 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 Gods people.

DR. BRYAN CHAPELL, pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church; author, Christ-centered Worship

Zac Hicks has laid down some important principles for worship leaders to function beyond merely choosing songsas pastors. Worship leaders who adapt Zacs 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

Its been fifty years since the first forms of contemporary worship appeared. Its been thirty years since the position of worship leader developed. Its been twenty years since mainline churches adopted contemporary styles. And so its time for a mature, multifaceted guide for those who lead Gods people in worship. Zac Hicks The Worship Pastor fills that need wonderfully.

LESTER RUTH, research professor of Christian worship, Duke Divinity School

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

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 youll understand why my words arent pastoral hyperbole. Get it; soak in it; share it with many.

DR. SCOTTY WARD SMITH, teacher-in-residence, West End Community Church

This is book is an invitation to reenvision the identity of all of us who lead Gods people in worship. My prayer is that it will encourage and inspire both beginning and lifelong leaders of Gods 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

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 Gods call to lead worship.

DR. VERNON M. WHALEY, dean, School of Music, Liberty University

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

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

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 has thoughtfully and thoroughly addressed the many creative avenues in which worship can be pastored. And thats 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 its not in our job title.

STEPHEN PROCTOR, visual liturgist and projection artist, illuminate.us

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

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

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

ZONDERVAN

The Worship Pastor

Copyright 2016 by Zachary M. Hicks

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition February 2018: ISBN 978-0-310-52524-0

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Cover design: Julie Calareso

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

Interior art: Julie Calareso, Scott Bajgrowicz

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