When asked by his son why some churches have smoke machines, worship pastor Manuel Luz found himself responding, ‘Well, technically, you need smoke machines to see the lasers.’ But when you take down the smokescreen, what do you have left? Where do we encounter the Holy in the midst of all this? Where can we worship with our full selves—heart, soul, mind, and body—in Spirit and truth?Drawing from his own experience leading worship in a large congregation and feeling the pull of performance, Manuel Luz guides us on a journey through worship that takes us far beyond style and deep into our own souls. He calls us back to an honest worship that moves past facades and pulls us inward toward the true self that God is forming within each of us. Each chapter ends with a spiritual practice designed to help us set aside pretense and enter into the very presence of God.
Table of Content
Introduction: Falling on My Face
Part I: Worship on the Cutting Edge
1. Smoke Machines and Laser Lights
2. Golden Dreams, Golden Calves
3. The Consumer-Driven Life
4. The Culture of Narcissism
Part II: Pride and Humility
5. Pride on the Platform
6. The Nature of Identity
7. Worship from the True Self
8. Soul Worship
Part III: Rediscovering Worship
9. The Church Gathered
10. The Rhythm of Worship
11. The Other Six Days of the Week
12. Compassion and Justice
13. The Deep End of the Pool
Epilogue: Still Falling
Acknowledgments
Discussion Guide
Notes
About the author
Rory Noland is the director of Heart of the Artist Ministries. He holds a doctorate in worship studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute. Rory has served at Willow Creek Community Church and Harvest Bible Chapel. A published songwriter, he has authored five books, including The Heart of the Artist.
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