Worship, Worship Leader Book Reviews

Following the River by Bob Sorge: Book Review

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Following the River

Inspired by the worship leading book Following the River by Bob Sorge
Inspired by the worship leading book Following the River by Bob Sorge

I began leading worship in the church in May 1992. I was 20 years old. It has been quite a journey. I have experienced many exciting things during my journey. I have had many encounters and many dreams and visions too. I remember hearing fun worship songs about The River.

I believe everything starts with a decision. The conception of my personal worship leading journey started with a decision.

Decisions are made from our encounter with circumstance. What happens to us requires a decision from us.

In 1992, I made an intentional decision to read and study truth. 

Today, I still make this very important decision to read about truth, but…enough about me for now, let’s get into this little book by Bob Sorge called Following the River: A Vision for Corporate Worship

  • Total pages: 78
  • Short Chapters
  • Personal Stories & Scriptural Examples

Quotes about Worship

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Bob Sorge’s book Following the River:

  • Rivers don’t follow straight lines
  • It’s not by song list, it’s not by service order, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts
  • Just because you practiced the song, doesn’t mean it’s the right song for Sunday morning
  • Preparation empowers you to deviate from your preparation
  • It’s not a worship service until you find the river
  • When worship’s tapestry is finished, everyone comes away with a clear understanding of what the Spirit is saying to the Church
  • The war is between the old song and the new song
  • In the vast majority of instances, the unthrottled power of worship is tapped and unlocked in the new song
  • The wise worship leader will bring our of his or her storehouse songs new and old

Sea of Glass Worship

My favorite chapter in this book is titled Sea of Glass Worship. This enlightening chapter reveals the incredible and provoking idea that there are no worship leaders leading the worship around The Throne of God.

Referencing Revelation 14:1-2, we can gain a few detailed insights like the following from this little handbook for corporate worship:

“On the sea of glass, the great multitude is 100% proactively engaged in worship. There is no need for anyone to exhort them to wake up because a river of fire is flowing into their hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, causing each member of the Bride of Christ to erupt with extravagant affections for the beloved Bridegroom. On the sea of glass, the great multitude has ownership of the worship. Nothing can extinguish their flame.”  -Bob Sorge

The humor and wit of Bob Sorge are clearly identified:

“And I, John, beheld, and lo, a platform. And on the platform, a microphone, And at the microphone, a leader. And slightly behind the leader were four singers, each with a microphone. And the leader’s microphone was louder than theirs, And lo, I saw a keyboard. And guitars. And a drum set. And speakers. And the sound coming from the platform was so powerful that you couldn’t tell if anyone was singing. “

The Worship in Heaven

One final thought about this great little book…Bob presents a convincing thought about the primary differences between heaven’s worship and our worship today. take a look at his contrast.

“Heaven’s Worship is multitude driven; our worship is platform driven. To be successful, contemporary worship relies heavily upon the role of leaders and musicians to take us from commencement to completion.

When you look at the heavenly scenes of Revelation, you’ll notice there’s one thing curiously absent from heaven’s worship-a worship leader.”

The worshippers of heaven do not need anyone telling them to lift their hands. There is no need for someone to say,  “everyone sing…let me  hear ya say, ‘Praise the Lord’,  or Worship Him now.”

If you click on the image below, you should find a few options available for you to purchase this book if you like.

 

 

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