Facing The Wall - Don Potter (Book)

 Review

"I think anyone who wants to know His pleasure more than the compliments or criticisms of man will need to face their own wall, until the shadows begin to dance as you praise."

Don Potter is a man who knows music. He has been a musical support for such well known artists as Faith Hill, Lyle Lovett, Bob Seager, Sting, Aaron Neville and a host of others. He was a key element in the unique jazz sound of Chuck Mangione and has played a vital role in the music of the mother/daughter duo now known as the Judds. This kind of musical background has given Don a perspective many of us will never have the opportunity to have. Having experienced the success of stage and studio and the resulting fame and recognition, he can truly say that none of it compares to the pleasure of the Lord's approval.

Facing the Wall is a book that hammers home the indispensableness of a life of private worship and devotion to God. Having led worship in churches and Christian gatherings for a number of years, he recounts that "the Lord stopped me in the middle of a song and said, 'I want you to go home and praise me until you learn to truly sense My presence." Don's response to this word from God was to go home, set up his guitar in his bedroom and, while "facing the wall," begin to worship before an audience of One. "It wasn't long before I knew I couldn't play my crowd-pleasing songs for the Maker of the world. I had to play something from my heart and it had to be true."

This book is specifically written to current or prospective worship leaders. Don shares the lessons he has learned through years of leading worship in almost any context you can imagine. He willingly lays bare his failures and then shares with us the insight he gained into the heart of God as a result of those experiences. Just as in the Bible, we see the weaknesses of God's servant as well as his strengths.

Throughout the book, Don shares the meaning of numerous Hebrew and Greek words that are related to worship and then shares with us how they might apply in our current culture. In the appendix, he gives us the seven Hebrew words used for praise. I think the reader will find himself referring back to that list throughout his life-long worship journey.

Don is known for his spontaneous worship music. In Facing the Wall, he gives us a biblical basis for that type of music, often referred to as prophetic music and song.

Some of the most helpful teaching has to do with many of the practical areas of worship ministry: the musician's relationship to the church, the musician's relationship to the pastor, the musician's relationship to the other worship team members. In chapter 5, there is an especially good list of things a worship leader should consider when selecting team members. Don also shares his insights regarding the role talent and musicianship play for the individual player/singer, as well as the worship team as a whole. Having earned his living in the entertainment business, Don is especially qualified to address the problem of worship services that entertain men as opposed to honoring God. For the worship leader, the temptation is always present to design a service that pleases men instead of God.

Facing the Wall is the story of one man's journey on the road to becoming a worshipper of God "in spirit and in truth." Throughout the book, he continues to return to the theme of our private worship life. If we are not truly experiencing God's presence there, we will never be able to lead a congregation into anything approaching the demonstrated presence of God. I believe this book will help fellow worship leaders stay out of the ditch and headed in the right direction.

He concludes the book by saying: "If you are a praise leader or hoping to be one, then you have agreed to stand between God and His people. This is when you automatically give up your right to refuse God's process of making you transparent. He is not looking for a door to heaven, but a window without glass."

If you are looking for a polished literary work, this isn't the book for you. However, if you are looking for the insights of a polished worshipper, you have hit the jackpot.

At His Feet,
Danny Mullins
Associate Pastor and Worship Leader
Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Gilbert, Arizona