Few people have been speaking into the worship of the local church more consistently and more dynamically than Bob Sorge.

Ever since I read his landmark book Exploring Worship over a decade ago, I’ve been hooked on his writings. They’ve fed my spirit in my life’s darkest seasons.

If you’re not familiar with Bob’s story, Bob had a vocal injury during a surgery over 20 years ago that has left him in constant pain ever since. He can only speak for one hour a day before the pain takes over.

What happens to a pastor who can’t speak and a worship leader who can’t sing?

It’s incredible to see where God has brought Bob and the rich truth that comes forth in his teaching. I was able to ask him a few questions.

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Over the last 10-15 years there has been a beautiful resurgence of worship songs about pain and suffering.

Songs like You Never Let Go, Whom Shall I Fear, and The Desert Song have provided weary saints with declarations of faith in the midst of their pain. This is wonderful. Our worship expression needs to touch on all the areas of human experience – joy, celebration, lament, suffering, confusion, hope, and loss.

Worship isn’t a place to forget your circumstances. It’s a place to bring them. It’s a place where they find their God-ordained context.

But until your life has been touched by fire, you don’t know what it’s like to actually worship in the midst of it.

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