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- Blog
- Books
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- CMA Merchandise
Contact

To the Chief Musician | Blog

Named after the psalm superscriptions, To the Chief Musician exists to help church leaders recover a vision of worship that is doctrinally rich, pastorally wise, and practically grounded. Each post offers biblical insight and real-world guidance for leading music ministries that serve the church and glorify God.

Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People

April 15, 2025
Jordan Cerny

It’s easy to think about worship in individual terms—my experience, my preferences, my response. But Matt Merker’s Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People reminds us that biblical worship is something we do together—as a body, as a family, as a redeemed people gathered before our holy God.

This book is short, clear, and packed with insight. It’s not just for pastors—it’s especially helpful for music ministers and worship teams who want to think more deeply about what corporate worship really means. Merker helps us step back from the logistics of Sunday planning and remember the bigger picture: worship is God’s people, gathered by grace, declaring His glory and building up one another.

One thing I appreciated is how balanced this book is. It’s thoughtful without being stuffy. It’s theological but extremely practical. Merker covers topics like:

Why the church gathers and what makes it distinct from personal devotion
How congregational singing is formative, not just expressive
The importance of every element of the service—from Scripture reading to the Lord’s Supper
How unity and edification should shape everything we plan and lead

One quote that stuck with me:

“Corporate worship is not primarily a time for individuals to have a quiet time with God simultaneously. It is the gathered church meeting with her Lord.”

That line alone reframed how I think about worship planning. It reminded me that my job isn’t just to create a meaningful experience—it’s to help God’s people worship together in a way that reflects the gospel and builds up the body.

If you’re involved in leading music, planning services, or discipling worship teams, Corporate Worship is a book you’ll want to keep close. It’s accessible enough for new leaders and rich enough for seasoned ones.

At Chief Musician Alliance, we’re committed to helping music ministers think biblically about worship—not just what we do, but why we do it. This book helps make that vision clear.

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