10 markers of strong worship

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“I admit that my assessment is entirely subjective, but here’s what makes the worship so strong for me that I can’t wait to preach.” - Chuck Lawless

What Is Hypocrisy?

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“In ancient Greek theater, a hypocrite was an actor—someone who wore a mask and stepped into a role, performing not as himself, but as another…. A religious hypocrite may not act on a literal stage, but he does put on a show before God and man.” - Ligonier

Worship Leader, Tell the Whole Story

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“To convey the story, worship leaders ought to aim for songs that convey (1) the glory of God, (2) our need for his grace, (3) his provision of that grace, and (4) our mission in response. Without each of these elements in your regular worship, your church will sing an incomplete gospel.” - TGC

Sometimes Worship Should Be Hard

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“on Sunday, July 6, 2025, it was hard. As we filed into the church and greeted one another, nearly 100 people were still missing due to flash floods in Texas. Tragedies happen, and they are all difficult—but this was different.” - P&D

Fake Worship Is a Problem Everywhere

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“One worship tradition over another is not the test of genuine worship. Both can be fake. Enthusiasm is not a measure either.” - P&D

A Brief Review of “Doxology: How Worship Works”

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There are many books on Christian worship: some helpful and some not-so-helpful. Nicolas Alford’s Doxology: How Worship Works clearly belongs in the former category. Though affirming the broader sense of worship (as a way of life), the book intentionally focuses on congregational worship. Alford is preeminently concerned that God’s people worship by the Book. Drawing from the Reformed tradition, he concisely expounds and carefully applies the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW), which, in essence, is the doctrine of sola Scriptura applied to church life and ministry.

But Alford does more—which is what makes this book superior to many others. First, he prefaces the the major principles that should govern our worship with a chapter that distinguishes between authority and influences. The Bible is the ultimate authority for worship. Nevertheless, there are other considerations that may and, in some cases, should affect the way we understand and apply the Bible. Alford defines and explains these influences in the following order of priority: Confessional/Convictional, Traditional/Cultural, and Preference/Deference.

Second, Alford identifies seven prefatory principles that we must employ as we seek to order our worship aright: the Biblical, Trinitarian, Covenantal, Ecclesiastical, Sabbatic, Governing, and Commissioned principles. These are Scriptural vantage points or perspectives from which we can ascertain the biblical contours of worship more clearly.

How the Regulative Principle Can Free You

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“What should churches do when they gather on Sunday? The answer isn’t as obvious as it may seem. In this episode, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share how they prepare for Sunday worship in light of their pastoral role.” - TGC

Tips for Shaping the Sunday Gathering

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“…since ordering my church’s worship is a part of my job, I knew I needed some help. I needed to get organized. For pastors like me, here are some tips for getting organized for the task.” - 9 Marks