Worshiptainment by Matthew Everhard

A Timely and Necessary Correction

Picture a church service where Batman portrays Jesus on the cross, complete with the Bat-Signal illuminating the sanctuary. Sound absurd? Welcome to the reality Matthew Everhard confronts in "Worshiptainment," a book that arrives at a crucial moment when such theatrical displays have become disturbingly commonplace in American worship services.

The Hardcopy Experience

The physical book is expertly crafted with accessible writing that makes complex Reformed principles digestible for readers across the theological spectrum. Everhard's chapter organization flows seamlessly from diagnosis to biblical prescription, building a compelling case for returning to Scripture-based worship. The book's approachable size and clear prose create a low barrier for entry; this isn't academic jargon but practical theology written for both lay Christians and church leaders.

What makes Everhard's critique particularly effective is his strategic use of dry humor. When addressing megachurch productions featuring Barbie themes or Star Wars elements in sacred narratives, his wit perfectly highlights the absurd nature of these spectacles without becoming unnecessarily inflammatory. His tone remains pastoral even when confronting serious theological errors, making the medicine easier to swallow.

Personal Impact from a Reformed Perspective

As someone who grew up in a Presbyterian church, I found Everhard's arguments particularly compelling because they reinforce the positive traditional liturgy many of us already embrace while challenging us toward even greater reverence. While the extreme theatrical practices he critiques are less common in traditional Reformed settings, this book serves as both a welcome guard against such trends and a call for us to pursue even more robust liturgical worship. Even in churches practicing sound theology, there's room to grow in our commitment to biblical worship principles.

Though not the book's primary intent, Everhard's emphasis on liturgical reverence has inspired me to elevate our family worship practices. His advocacy for psalm-singing and structured liturgy has challenged me to bring more organization and traditional elements into what is often a casual home setting, ensuring our domestic worship reflects the same reverence we experience in Sunday worship services.

The Audiobook - Convenient with Minor Reservations

The audiobook format transforms this important message into a convenient listening experience. The format proves invaluable for busy schedules (I appreciated being able to engage with the material during walks and while driving, and I specifically listened to several chapters while mowing the lawn). However, as someone familiar with Everhard's YouTube content, I couldn't escape hearing his distinctive voice coming through the text. While the narrator performs admirably, Everhard should have recorded this himself. Despite this minor quibble, I'm grateful they offer an audiobook option, as it significantly increases accessibility for different learning styles and busy lifestyles.

Universal Application and Accessibility

This book deserves a broad readership. High church and liturgical congregations will find reinforcement for their biblical practices while being reminded to continually strive for scriptural fidelity. The message desperately needs to reach megachurches propagating entertainment-driven worship, along with their pastors, elders, and congregants. But honestly, all Christians could benefit from this reminder of what worship should look like according to Scripture and early church tradition.

Everhard strikes an impressive balance between theological conviction and genuine care, never coming across as merely critical but genuinely concerned for the church's spiritual health.

A Necessary Wake-Up Call

My hope is that this book reaches the ears that most need to hear its message and inspires genuine reform in practices that have become embarrassing to witness from afar. While much of this theatrical behavior is less prevalent in traditional and high church settings, seeing it proliferate on social media and YouTube reveals how it damages the church's witness. Our lack of reverence, displayed in such disturbing ways, undermines the gravity of what we claim to believe.

"Worshiptainment" offers more than critique, it provides a biblical roadmap forward, grounded in Scripture and tested by centuries of faithful practice. This is essential reading for anyone concerned about worship's current trajectory and a timely reminder that authentic worship honors God rather than entertaining ourselves. Every pastor's library and every serious Christian's bookshelf needs this book.