Includes bibliographical references and index.

Phase one: laying the foundations for worship. Establishing the foundation: biblical worship -- Setting the cornerstone: worship is centered in Jesus Christ -- Phase two: building the structure for worship. Four rooms for encountering God: the general order of worship ; The first load-bearing wall: the gathering ; The second load-bearing wall: the word ; The third load-bearing wall: the table of the Lord ; The third load-bearing wall: the alternative response to the word ; The fourth load-bearing wall: the sending -- Phase three: creating doors and windows for encountering God. Encountering God in prayer: capturing the heart of worship ; Encountering God in music: singing the church's song ; Encountering God in music: offering "sound" musical leadership ; Encountering God in the Christian year: remembering the whole narrative -- Phase four: adding style to the worship event. Principles of worship style: expressing your corporate identity ; A more excellent way: exploring convergence -- Phase five: Nurturing hospitality at the worship event. The hospitable worship leader: engaging worshipers as participants -- Appendix A: ten basic steps in designing vital worship -- Appendix B: checklist for designing vital worship.

The metaphor of an architect is used throughout the book to illustrate how persons responsible for worship in the local church function similarly to architects: They envision the concept, do the ground work, develop a plan, establish the framework, create focal points of beauty, and design it all with a special purpose in mind. In the case of worship, the purpose is for the community to be in relationship with the one true God through Jesus Christ. This book provides a reliable architectural plan for designing worship on a weekly basis. It sets forth basic principles and demonstrates how those principles are conducive to virtually any style of worship practiced today in a myriad of Christian communities. --from publisher description