It's difficult not to be both thoroughly impressed and highly intrigued by the success of Sydney's Hillsong Music and not to be captivated by the potent energy and graceful charm that constitutes the steady stream of worship that flow from within it's gates. Here Darlene Zschech, leader of Hillsong Worship & Creative Arts Department for the last five years, shares many diverse and thoughtful insights into what has helped shape the church to play such a prominent role in worship music world-wide.

  In a very real sense the book is not an easy read; right from the start it makes high spiritual demands. Ms Zschech is clearly not just a well respected singer/songwriter and worship leader. She also shines forth as one who is truly absorbed with her God. He is her utter passion and she calls for similar sold-out commitment from her readers. Thus rock-bed opening chapters 'Extravagant worshippers' and 'Explosive praise' make compelling reading for every Christian, whether musician or not.

  Many other chapters have an essentially practical focus - exploring realistically the cost and commitment of being in a worship team, advice for (would-be) lead worshippers, discussion of talent vs genuine anointing, dealing with pride, handling emotions and the necessity of team unity, discipling and close friendships. Darlene also includes an insightful chapter on the art of song-writing, as well as providing lyrics to a number of her own worship tunes. But though these more 'specialised' chapters are of particular interest to existing / future worship musicians, the general worshipper too is almost bound to find them helpful - for the author's thoughts are Scripture-based, logical, and clearly stated - and dotted throughout the book are loads of 'inside' stories from Darlene's life or from Hillsong church, each adding wonderfully to the book's charm and effect.

  Hillsong's growth has been fairly rapid. Let's face it, six years ago few of us had ever heard of the church, or of Darlene Zschech! But Extravagant Worshipper isn't about worldly fame or success. It's about deep-hearted commitment to a consistently extravagant-in-love Father. Consider a few of the author's pithy sayings;

  'True worship is ....when the very core of your being is found loving Him....lost in Him......when your heart and soul, all that is within you, adores and connects with the Spirit of God'.

  'If we can get up on the platform and if we can praise Him with our glorious song, but we can't serve Him with extravagant lives, then something is wrong with our message'.

Or this gold nugget;
  'If you are part of a worship team, save your most glorious moments of worship for off the platform. Our most precious times with our best friend have got to be in the unseen'.

  Darlene's pertinent words are infectious and ring out with the clear knell of truth. Michael W. Smith puts it succinctly...you are sure to be 'inspired as you read treasures from the heart of a true worshipper'. Herein are treasures you won't want to miss!

Review by tom lennie

  Recorded and produced between 1993 and 2000, this has got to be the longest-in-the-making album I've ever reviewed! But, the longstanding creation of New Jersey based worship leader Lenny Smith, these 15 self-composed songs stem from a much wider time-span still! For since the late '60's Lenny has been writing loads of Bible-based songs, with this collection of whittled-down favourites resulting in his debut praise & worship recording - and on his own New Jerusalem label.

  Now, while you may not recognise this musician's name, I can bet you'll have sung at least one of his compositions! For way back in the mid-70's during a time of personal Bible-study, Lenny wrote verse and chorus to the 'Our God Reigns' anthem - adding four further verses over the next few years. The song was initially rejected by every publisher in town, but has since become one of the all-time Christian classics;

'How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him, who brings good news, good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness, our God reigns, our God reigns....'

  Lenny performs this tune here, of course - his whole family joining in on the chorus, as they do too on other tracks - and while this is certainly the album's highlight, several other tunes also stand out. The opening 'Deep calls to deep', like many of these songs, features Lenny and guitar alone, and holds a thoughtful psalm-based structure. 'Beneath the shadow' carries a most infectious melody, while several other tracks are more upbeat and celebratory, such as the closing 'I see Him dancing', who's banjo tones add a tasty bluegrass flavour.

  Lenny encourages listeners to 'pick-up your instrument...and play along'. Indeed these short and fairly simple acoustic tunes are well suited to this purpose, and thankfully all lyrics with guitar chords are clearly printed in the attractive CD-booklet, along with Scripture references and personal thoughts on each song.

  It's true that some choruses are rather unmemorable, and the whole album has a decidedly '70's feel (hardly surprising as that's where many of the songs date from) - with a psychedelic, though wonderfully attractive, cover design to match! Contemporary worship has certainly changed greatly since the days of worship renewal sparked by the '70's Jesus Movement; yet it can be very refreshing to come back to some of these early, intimate choruses. Indeed, some of my favourite worship tunes, like 'Abba Father' and 'I exalt You', date from this period. So, if you're looking for some uncluttered folksy worship songs to sing and play along to, then check out the Lenny Smith collection. You may have a while to wait for the follow-up!

Review by tom lennie

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