PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF WORSHIP

A Formal Definition and Discussion:

I have adapted a formal definition of congregational worship from Dr. Allen Ross
Recalling the Hope of Glory; the following definition is a condensed version, emphasizing three
specific foci: True congregational worship is the celebration of the one and only Triune God
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit giving Him all praise, honor, and glory through the believing and
committed covenant community, those who anticipate confidently the consummation of Gods
promises in glory.
True congregational worship is a celebration because of the creative and redemptive
works of the Trinity accomplished to the praise of His glory. The truth that believers in Christ are
no longer under condemnation for sin calls for both the congregations spontaneous and
structured response (Rom. 5:1; 8:1). However, one must worship in spirit and in truth, which
means that the believer must be sincere and genuine in their submission to the one true God as
revealed in the Holy Scriptures (John 4:23-24; 17:17).
True congregational worship is offered only within the believing and committed covenant
community. Those who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ are under the New Covenant,
which has been established and confirmed by the Saviors death and resurrection (Matt. 26:2630). Therefore, New Covenant believers, secured by the sealing of the Holy Spirit, can freely
serve God from a clear conscience while keeping their covenant responsibilities through
reenactments and periodic renewal (Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
True congregational worship anticipates the consummation of Gods covenant promises,
namely, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to resurrect and judge believers into eternal life and
unbelievers into eternal death. Those who worship in the New Covenant community not only
look back to remember Christs death and resurrection, but also to the future toward Christs

return in glory and their own bodily resurrection (1 Cor. 15; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). Thus, an accurate
and faithful teaching of biblical eschatology is essential to instill the hope of glory in
congregational worship.

Parameters in Corporate Worship:

For true worship to take place within a New Covenant gathering, there must be fixed
parameters to guard against the ever-changing cultural norms from altering Christian theology
and practice. While the local church must be flexible in regard to different forms within various
cultures, this does not mean separation from the historic faith and functions handed down to
believers through the centuries.
The fundamental focus of corporate worship is two-fold: Word and Table. Specifically,
the established pattern of worship supported by the New Testament and church history is the
exposition of the Scriptures and the celebration of the Lords Supper (a.k.a. Holy Communion, or
Eucharist). Without these two set functions, the gathering can hardly be called New Covenant,
and true corporate worship becomes unmoored from its foundation and the people then drift into
apostasy.
Ultimately, the forms and functions used in corporate worship should impart sound
doctrine to the people, whether implicitly or explicitly. Therefore, in order to accomplish the goal
of communicating truth to the congregation, worship leaders must teach and exposit the Word of
God along with providing regular access to the Lords Supper. In addition to these two
parameters, local congregations should have baptism as a rite of passage into the covenant
community, and those who express interest in baptism must confess the orthodox Christian faith
(the Nicene Creed can aid in preparation for the baptismal confession).

A Strategy for Stagnation and Loss of Aesthetic Flow in Corporate Worship:

I believe that stagnant worship and congregational disengagement can be diminished by
adhering to the elements of a good story. In order for the congregation to experience separation
from the distractions of everyday life and be transported into a realm where they can focus
exclusively on God, worship leaders can utilize structure, momentum, and a definitive
conclusion to combat persistent problems that hinder aesthetic flow.
First, a good story has a beginning, middle, and an end. By default many worship leaders
already follow this structure intuitively, yet there can always be more preparation and planning
when it comes to the order of the worship service. If done with skill and artistry, good structure
can take the congregation through a journey and send them out as transformed worshippers to
Gods glory.
Second, worship leaders must work on transitions between the planned events within the
service. There is nothing like fifteen minutes of announcements to deaden worship and kill
momentum. Thoughtful and rehearsed transitions can minimize distraction and disengagement
and prevent the congregation from checking out.
Lastly, the service needs a definitive conclusion so that the congregants arent left dazed
and confused. This does not have to be a resolution of tension per se, because one can send out
the congregants to personally reflect upon last words and return ready to engage [i.e. a Good
Friday service that leaves the tension of Christs death unresolved until Sunday].