PRLog (Press Release) –
Jul 25, 2009 – Denver, CO and Kennesaw, GA - Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Holy Gatherings: A Leader's Guide for Engaging the Congregation in Corporate Worship by Michael Sharp and Argile Smith, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 6.14 x 9.21 Paperback in the Christian - Modern Worship category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $15.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/holygatherings was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
About the Book (Excerpts & Info)
From Dr. Jon Duncan, Music and Worship Specialist, Georgia Baptist Convention, Atlanta, Georgia:
Holy Gatherings is an effective worship education tool that should be on the shelf of every serious worship planner-leader. There are plenty of theological and theoretical discourses on the subject of worship. This work stands apart as it not only deals effectively with the “why” of worship; it serves well as a “how to” field manual that never erodes biblical footing. The result is a relevant work which will strengthen and deepen worship engagement among God’s people.
From Ron Willoughby, Lecturer in Contemporary Christian Studies, Cliff College, University of Manchester, UK:
Finally! A clear, accessible primer on worship leadership. This book rescues worship leadership from the trap of performance-based crowd pleasing and the clutches of sterile worship models. Do yourself a favor: buy this book. Read it. Highlight it. Put it into practice.
From Dirce Cooper, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention,Worship Leadership Training, CUBA:
Beginning with a solid foundation of a biblical understanding of worship, the authors offer practical steps to the designing and leading of corporate worship. Throughout the pathway, probing questions engage the reader in the pursuit of transformative worship. The combined experiences and distinct perspectives of a skillful musician/worship leader and a seasoned theologian/pastor have resulted in a treasure of insights that will serve worship teams as well as serious worship students around the world.
From Graham Smith, Director of the Church Music Department, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board:
What a blessing to have Dr. Argile Smith and Dr. Michael Sharp combine their many gifts from our Lord, which blest by the Holy Spirit, give such synergy to this much needed book on the highest priority of the human spirit---the worship of our Creator-God! We have needed such a defining book among worshippers and worship leaders for some time. Here, by the grace of God, is a gift from Him to us through these two worshippers and worship leaders!
From Will McRaney, Ph.D, Director of Evangelism Strategy, Florida Baptist Convention:
As scholars, practitioners, and local churchmen, Argile Smith and Michael Sharp have served us well by providing a great resource to help us worship God and lead others to worship God in both spirit and truth. You will be both inspired and informed by the work of their vast collective experience.
Deftly constructed at 147 pages, Holy Gatherings: A Leader's Guide for Engaging the Congregation in Corporate Worship is being aggressively promoted to appropriate markets with a focus on the Christian - Modern Worship category. With U.S. wholesale distribution through Ingram and Baker & Taylor, and pervasive online availability through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and elsewhere, Holy Gatherings meets consumer demand through both retail and library markets with a suggested retail price of $15.95.
Additionally, Holy Gatherings can be ordered by retailers or wholesalers for the maximum trade discount price set by the author in quantities of ten or more from the Outskirts Press wholesale online bookstore at www.outskirtspress.com/buybooks
ISBN: 9781432740740 Format: 6.14 x 9.21 Paperback SRP: $15.95
For more information or to contact the author, visit www.outskirtspress.com/holygatherings
About the Authors:
Michael Sharp is Professor of Worship Studies in the Division of Church Music of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. Both in the seminary classroom and in conferences throughout the U.S., his teaching focuses on the theology and history of worship as well as practical leadership training in planning and leading corporate worship. Active in local church ministry, Michael has served as a Worship Pastor in churches throughout the Southeast United States. He and his wife Leanne also served for a number of years as music missionaries to Venezuela. The parents of three young adults, they currently reside in Kennesaw, Georgia. His devotional series “52 worshipers” can be accessed on his website: www.worshipconneXion.com
Argile Smith is senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Biloxi, MS. He received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon completion of his doctoral degree, he served as a pastor for fifteen years before returning to the seminary as a professor of preaching. While on the seminary faculty, he occupied the J. D. Grey Chair of Preaching and was invited to chair the Division of Pastoral Ministries. In addition, he also served area churches as interim pastor and developed an extensive writing ministry. He was elected to serve as president of the 2009 Mississippi Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, and he also directs the Center for Encouraging Pastors, accessible at www.encouragingpastors.com. He and his wife, Connie, have three grown sons.
About Outskirts Press, Inc.
Outskirts Press offers full-service, custom self-publishing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available globally at www.outskirtspress.com and located on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press, Inc. represents the future of book publishing, today.
Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com 1-888-OP-BOOKS
