Review
"Kevin Adams writes with great richness, passion, and verve. Above all, he writes with enormous Christian wisdom. Every Christian worshiper should read this book." -Cornelius Plantinga, former president, Calvin Theological Seminary, author of Not the Way It's Supposed to Be "Kevin Adams has written a gem of a book: one that renewed my love of the church, increased my respect for its imperfect-but-dedicated leaders, and bolstered my confidence in our ability to worship together across lines of significant difference. I laughed, winced in recognition, or nodded my head in agreement on every page. The Gospel in a Handshake should be required reading-not only for worship teams and pastors, but also the congregations that they serve." -Melanie C. Ross, Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies, Yale Divinity School "Kevin Adams is a veteran participant, observer, and professor of worship. If you find yourself desiring a fresh vision for worship and are kicking the tires of liturgy, sacrament, and the church calendar, you will find The Gospel in a Handshake a winning and winsome guide." -Todd Hunter, founding bishop, The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others "Kevin Adams' wisdom is dispersed in these short but sweet letters to worship ministry leaders, both young and old alike. He brings encouragement, knowledge, and hope with a perfect balance of theology and pastoral advice in this book." -Angie Hong, worship leader, speaker, writer, urban liturgist "Kevin Adams is a 'master carpenter' when it comes to the use of 'framing words' to help strengthen the worship life of any church. . . . The Gospel in a Handshake is a rich resource that will help build up a church and provide counsel to those called to lead and guide the worship mission ministry of the church." -Jul Medenblik, President, Calvin Theological Seminary "Worship is a public act-it is a corporate response to the public truth that Jesus is Lord. But many elements of Christian worship will seem strange to the new believer or those curious about Jesus. With clear wisdom and conversational warmth, Adams helps Christians understand and explain how worship is itself a way that we bear witness to the kingdom of God in the world around us." -Glenn Packiam, Associate Senior Pastor, New Life Church, author of Blessed Broken Given: How Your Story Becomes Sacred in the Hands of Jesus "Kevin Adams is like a seasoned sherpa who provides essential expertise and deep understanding of how to lead others in worship. This book of liturgical catechesis is a map for moving forward, an indispensable guide to finding our way in worship." -Tim Blackmon, Chaplain, Wheaton College
About the Author
Kevin J. Adams is the author of 150: Finding Your Story in the Psalms and The Book That Understands You. Kevin and his wife Gerry Ann planted Granite Springs Church, a congregation that has helped inspire a movement of church planting in the Sacramento area. He serves as senior pastor, as a Program Affiliate at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, and as an adjunct professor in university and seminary settings.
Richard J. Mouw earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, and he taught for seventeen years at Calvin College. Mouw then served as the president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, for two decades. In 2013 he stepped down and became the professor of faith in public life at Fuller. He is the author of many essays and books, and has lectured and preached widely in China.
