Lifting Him Up

\n Lifting Him Up

LIFTING HIM UP

RON KENOLY AND DICK BERNAL (1995)

Creation House

If you asked me to sum up my advice concerning this book, I would say, "It's practical. Go get a copy". Indeed, Ron Kenoly has teamed up with his church pastor, Dick Bernal, the author of "Storming Hell's Brazen Gates", to produce a book teeming with experiences, insights and encouragement.

Given that advice, if you still choose to read the rest of this review, let me assure you my opinion won't change, and I'll describe this book in deeper detail to make it clearer why this is required reading for the new worship leader.

"Lifting Him Up" is a dual-sectioned book. The first section, by Ron Kenoly, starts by describing Ron's "Concert of One", which reinforces an important worship principle: that as leaders our overriding priority is to enter the presence of God in the worship and not to allow fretting over minutiae occupy that spot.

Backed with Biblical support, Ron goes on to describe how the worship leader may enter the presence of God and pitfalls which may prevent him from doing so, such as one's ego. He then lays out the reasons why the leader should consider writing new worship songs, and follows by listing characteristics of good worship leaders, including practical advice how not to bother the pastor with the worship and instead make it edifying. With a poignant note, he then describes his own salvation experience, which is a powerful testimony how God can use anyone who is willing for His good purpose and for His glory. Finally, he makes a strong case for the leader to keep growing in maturity both in his relationship with God and in his worship experience, and how striving for unity in Christ's body here on earth provides a glimpse of how worship in heaven will be like.

Dick Bernal carries on the tempo smoothly in the second half of the book. He starts by exploring praise and worship in the Bible, and goes on to describe principles of worship, including personal vignettes to illuminate his analyses. Next he goes on to describe in practical detail how worship can be part of a smoothly integrated service and how a church should stick to its ministry priorities. He explains the usage of worship in spiritual warfare, and gives examples of how it opened the way for the work of the Holy Spirit in his church. Finally he closes with an exciting description of how the prophetic gift and worship go together with spiritual warfare in his church, and how they avoid having a "canned" worship experience by practicing spontaneity in the Spirit.

For the young worship leader, this book is inspiring because it sets a standard for what worship should be like. Gleaned from years of experience of two very blessed servants of the Lord, the wisdom contained within is invaluable. I hope that as you apply these principles, you too will even more abundantly find the release and joy that comes from worshipping in the presence of our Almighty God. Amen!