Review of Singing and Making Music: Issues in Church Music Today

Singing And Making Music: Issues in Church Music Today by Paul S. Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was difficult to rate. Paul Jones is clearly qualified as a church musician because of his experience as the lead musician at the 10th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. His interaction with men like James Montgomery Boice also add to his ability to converse on the theology of worship. Jones writes for both the layman and the accomplished musician. And so, depending on your level of expertise, the relevance will be evidently clear. That being said, his discussion of the theology of corporate worship and song are accessible to all. The section on Composers and Composition might be a bit technical for those not trained classically, but it is readable. For those who are interested in writing new hymns, he offers some excellent advice in how to do this. The book will be provocative for those who gravitate toward's gratification in worship. Jones reminds us that "Worship is not about us, but about the Almighty." This is a must read for those who are starting to re-evaluate their music philosophy, have a desire for a theological framework, or want to consider some corollary issues related to worship in general. I would rate the theological sections as five stars and the technical sections as three stars.



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