Worship A down-to-earth guide to planning and implementing meaningful worship experiences for pastors, written especially for those new to the job. This practical book is for new pastors as they move into the role of worship leader and planner. When faced with the weekly rhythm of planning and leading worship, new pastors sometimes find themselves overwhelmed with the tasks.  The book centers on the pastor and his/her identity as worship leader, on guidelines for leadership, and on the 'why' and 'how' of worship services. Contents include: The Pastor as Leader; Leading on Your First Sunday; Rituals: "The way we do it here"; Leading in the Worship Service; Leading Prayer; Leading Communion; Leading Baptism; Leading through the Christian Year; Leading with Musicians; Leading the People into Leadership. To read chapter oneclick here "I heartily commend this book to new pastors. Get it and read it before you show up at your first appointment. Barbara Day Miller will save you from many a heartache and embarrassment. Though tagged as a new pastor's guide, most pastors I know will benefit by reading the New Pastor's Guide, especially the latter chapters about leading with musicians and guiding members of the congregation into worship leadership." Reverend Daniel T. Benedict, Jr., Director of Worship Resources, General Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church "In the past couple of years, I have worshipped in about a hundred congregations.  After that experience, I can tell you, HERE IS THE BOOK WE NEED!  Barbara Day Miller packs this little book with a lifetime of the creative worship leadership and the inspired preparation of pastors to lead worship. Combining practical help with a deep theological understanding of, and heartfelt love of Christian worship, she gives pastors everything they need to lead God's people in prayer and praise." William H. Willimon, Bishop, the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.   Barbara Day Miller is the Assistant Dean of Worship at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia. Church & Ministry/Church Life/Worship/Liturgy Barbara Day Miller is the Assistant Dean of Worship at Candler School of Theology. The New Pastor's Guide to Leading Worship By Barbara Day Miller Abingdon Press Copyright © 2006 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-687-49720-1 Contents Foreword, I The Pastor as Leader: Preparing to Lead, II Leading Worship on Your First Sunday, III Rituals: The "Way We Do It Here", IV Leading in the Worship Service, V Leading the Prayers: Praying with the People, VI Leading at the Table: Holy Communion, VII Leading at the Font: Baptism, VIII Leading through Seasons and Times: The Christian Year, IX Leading with Musicians, X Leading Worship with the Hymnal: Singing a New Song, XI Leading an Expanded Practice: Reflection on the Patterns, XII Leading the People into Leadership: Expanding and Renewing, XIII Leading the Preparation: Planning Together M, XIV The Pastor as Leader: Ongoing Work, Appendix: Other Resources, Annotated Bibliography, CHAPTER 1 The Pastor as Leader: Preparing to Lead As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. —Mark 1:16-18 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? —The Summons, John Bell, Iona Community As I stood at the front of the sanctuary and looked at the people, I realized they were looking to me for leadership. I had been in "leadership" in the church for many years, had taught Sunday school, had led the singing, but now I was the leader. I was the pastor. — Glenn, newly licensed pastor You have answered the call to pastoral ministry. You have had or are receiving training for this work. Your denomination has given you authority, and you are now the pastor at your first church. In this appointment you are responsible for leadership in many areas. You will teach. You will visit in homes and hospitals. You will administer the budgets and programs of the church. You will be responsible for the upkeep and the use of the church buildings. You will encourage the outreach efforts of the congregation and the church's involvement in the community. And, on the Sabbath, when the people gather, you will be the leader of worship. In thinking how you will lead, you will recall other pastors whom you have seen in this role. You have been in worship services in which the pastor made this work look easy—a smooth and natural flow of gesture and action and word. The worship was a deep experience in the presence of God. In fact, you did not notice the pastor, but were led along by the pastor's skill—confident but not in the spotlight, inviting but not imposing. You may have thought, "Some peo