Worship
'Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness' Psalm 115v1
Worship has always been at the core of everything we do at the Vineyard Church. We are, at our very foundation, a people who find their greatest identity, strength and joy in the presence of God. We've seen God do amazing things in the worship times; people healed, relationships restored, lives changed and passions ignited. We've seen God's presence come in truly beautiful ways, with depth, power and peace. And our prayer is, that this would only increase as we continue to press into Him.
We're here to worship and engage with God in a real and authentic way. This isn't just music, it’s not a pretense, we're not putting on a show or launching a career. This is worship. Honest, simple and true. May it be a sweet sweet sound.
"We in the Vineyard have, from the very outset of our ministry, made worship our highest priority. Believing that it is God's desire that we become, first, worshippers of God." John Wimber
We're a community of creatives. A people that carry a deep desire to love and know God more. To worship him. He is our creator and saviour, and He loves us deeply. He sent his son to the earth to die for us. To save us. And we want to respond to him with all that we have; with love and reverence, passion, skill and integrity. It is an honour to do this, to worship Him. A blessing and a privilege.
Worship Values
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Intimacy in worship is one of the foundations of the Vineyard. When John and Carol Wimber and others began meeting in a home in 1977 in California, they gathered because they were hungry to meet with God. And so, for years Vineyard worship around the world has been marked by songs that are simple expressions of love and devotion.
The Bible is full of accounts of intimate worship. As David looked after the sheep he sang intimate songs to the Lord. The woman in Luke 7 worshipped intimately as she poured perfume onto the feet of Jesus. Intimacy will always be our highest calling.
It is the primary destination for us as we worship. We draw near to God, and he draws near to us. As we encounter his presence in worship, we cultivate a deep connection with him. Intimacy is not a musical style or a tone of voice; it is a posture of our hearts.
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Our desire is that the songs that we sing, would reflect the lives that we lead. While we value the form that our worship takes, we place an even greater value on the formation of our community. Our gathered times of worship are powerful places of transformation. We enter God’s presence not as we think we should, but we come as we are - with honesty, reverence and humility. And in this place, God is so gracious to us. We are renewed and restored. And we become increasingly like Jesus.
‘Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ Hebrews 4v16
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As worshipping communities, we extend the welcome of Jesus to people; inviting them to enter into his Presence. We are intentional about bringing people with us on a journey of worship by building as many bridges both musically and pastorally. From the style of music, to the songs that we sing, we are creating environments for people to participate in worship.
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'Remain in me, and I will remain in You' John 15v4. When we draw into God, He draws near to us. So we can expect God to move in our worship times. To show himself to us and speak to us. We can be confident of His presence and His power. We experience in part what we will ultimately know in full: our complete restoration in God’s Kingdom.
Every time of worship is unique. Every time is different. We aim to be humble enough, and flexible enough to listen to and follow what the Holy Spirit is doing in that moment, willing to lay down our plans, allowing God the space and freedom to do what he wants to do.
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Passion is the expression of a fire in our hearts for God. As we worship, we not only affirm our love for God, but we learn to love what he loves. We are authentic in our worship, whether we are in a season of joyful celebration or a time of deep sorrow. As worshipping communities, we choose to be present to Jesus and engage with what He is doing in us and in our community.
We come to God with passion and devotion. Fuelled by an authentic love and relationship with God.
