Worshiptainment

The Modern Church's Golden Calf

By: Matthew Everhard

Narrated by: David K Martin

Worshiptainment: The Modern Church's Golden Calf is a hard-hitting look at the ungodly practice of mixing Christian worship services with the popular entertainment practices of the secular world.

In this book, Presbyterian pastor Matthew Everhard offers a sincere, heart-felt critique of the availing techniques that are all-too-common in our day such as using worship as a platform to build celebrity pastors, gain large followings, and entertain the people. Meanwhile, such churches given to these theatrics are jettisoning traditional worship, Biblical doctrine, and reverent attention to the True and Living God.

In this work, Everhard looks at common "worshiptainment" practices as it regards preaching, liturgy, music, the sacraments, and Christian leadership. All the while, Everhard argues that the church should return to the Regulative Principle of Worship, the Reformation-era ideal of only doing in worship what God specifically requires us to do in Holy Scripture.

©2024 Dr. Matthew V Everhard (P)2024 Dr. Matthew V Everhard

Very good book!

Everhard’s writing is both pastoral and prophetic, speaking with compassion for those caught in the allure of worshiptainment but uncompromising in his insistence that worship is ultimately about glorifying God. Readers will appreciate his ability to blend historical insight, scriptural exposition, and practical application.

For those concerned about the direction of modern worship or longing for a return to reverent, Christ-centered services, Worshiptainment is a must-read. It not only critiques but also offers a hopeful vision of worship that transforms hearts by drawing congregations deeper into the presence of God.

God must be our heart's desire

So true! Thank you for boldly drawing attention to one of the major problems in our churches today! We must not take any part in pagan worship and speak up when we see it sprout in our own churches! God Bless and Keep you and your family!

An Important Message for a Critical Time!

As someone who has recently migrated to the Reformed tradition of Christianity, and who is regularly horrified by the antics of too many American evangelicals and progressives alike, I was very excited to read this book. It did not disappoint! Pastor Matthew is honest and critical of a very disturbing trend in the modern faith, yet is gracious as a shepherd of the flock ought to be. He contrasts the insanity going on in many churches today with a clearly laid-out description of the more historic methods of the Reformed tradition. Most importantly, you can feel the heart behind the author and why he has such conviction to share this message: his love for God and the desire to worship Him in the proper manner, and his love for the Church and desire for her members to conduct themselves honorably and reverently before our Most Holy God.

I would highly recommend this book to any Christian, and fully intend to do so to my friends and family who also share a passion for Christ and his proper worship!

Challenging and Informative

I come from a more charismatic and large church background. However, in recent years, I found myself employed by a reformed church, and this book has provided me with some truly valuable and insightful advice. I believe this book presents a compelling challenge to the current entertainment or “Worshiptainment” phenomenon prevalent in America. I strongly recommend that pastors, worship pastors, or church leaders read this book and engage in thoughtful reflection on the authors’ loving challenges. I am certain that many of those I have led worship with or churches I have served would find this book beneficial, but they may reject it due to straw man arguments or a reluctance to seriously consider whether their practices are optimal or simply a continuation of what other popular churches have done for years.

very good.

Good book! I had a few disagreements with the author on the subject of baptism. but other then that very well done.