WORSHIP

WORSHIP

Worship is meant to be God-centered. The Father seeks worshippers who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Spiritual worship is according to the design of the Holy Spirit, who always shines the spotlight on Jesus Christ. He, in turn, being called the truth, glorifies the Father by being the exact representation of His Being. Worship “in Spirit and in truth” is therefore Trinitarian and Christ-centered. Moreover, God’s glory is most visible in His grace, and the pinnacle of God’s grace is the cross. So, true and Spiritual worship is God-centered, Trinitarian, Christ-exalting, and very often focused on the work of Christ on the cross.

Our worship style can best be described as contemporary. We embrace what we consider to be a spiritually healthy mixture of modern worship songs and timeless classic hymns.

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:16-17

 

We understand that listening to or singing a song in church does not endorse everything someone believes. We look at the lyrics and confirm they are trustworthy and Biblical before the church sings them. The songs we sing cannot be entirely separated from the church, ministry, or leaders they come from.  We must practice discernment and cultivate the ability to test everything we hear by the Word of God (Acts 17:11).

 

We are not saying that a pastor, artists, or producers are unbelievers or have wrong intent with the music they produce. Still, we must realize that there is more baggage that comes along with it. Church leaders must train and disciple the saints to be discerning. Throughout the Bible, there are warnings about false teachers. For that reason alone, we should take our responsibility seriously and watch out for them.

 

It is our conviction that we will not lead the church in singing songs by Bethel Music, Jesus Culture, Hillsong Music, Elevation Worship, and others because of several concerns.

Theology & Doctrine

Influence

Financial Support

As believers, we have a responsibility to exercise discernment. We should evaluate the lyrics and the overall context, theology, and impact of the music we engage with. It is essential to weigh the potential influence of worship music beyond its immediate lyrics. We don’t need to agree with someone on every point of doctrine to buy or listen to their music. Still, we must examine the ramifications when theological issues arise, especially when we use that music in congregational worship. Discerning believers must seek truth and grace in their worship. We don’t need to be paranoid, but we do need to be vigilant. May everything we put before Jesus’s church ensure that “we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph. 4:14).

CONTACT MICHAEL