Statements on Worship

Thornapple Statements on Worship

Definition of worship:
"All of life is worship. Worship is responding in love to all that God is with all that we are, every moment of our lives. It results in a transformed heart which leads to a changed life."

Corporate worship:
"Corporate worship begins with a conviction that we are in the presence of God. That conviction leads us to celebrate who God is, what He has done, and what He will do."

Philosophy of Worship:
In humility, we recognize that there are a wide variety of styles and expressions of worship that are equally pleasing to God. Our church has chosen an approach that seems appropriate to the Thornapple community and culture. Yet because of the dynamic nature of worship, we are open to God's leading us into fresh ways of worshiping Him.

Essentials of worship:
As we draw near to God, our corporate worship has three essential components: (1) revelation, (2) reflection, and (3) response:

1. Revelation: Worship begins with the Holy Spirit's revealing the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2. Reflection: Worship cannot be rushed. Worshippers must have time to reflect, meditate on, and express what they have seen, heard, and experienced.
3. Response: Worship should transform us as we respond to ourselves, to God, to fellow worshippers, and to our neighbors.

Components of worship:
At Thornapple we strive to grow active worshippers rather than passive observers. We consider worship a verb. Through each of the elements listed below our goal is to engage each person present into active participation.

• Gathering and Sending Forth:
  The coming together of God's people for corporate worship strengthens them to then go out and be light in a dark world. God's people are greeted and shown that they are valued and concerns are shared.
• Prayer and Congregational Singing:
  Worship is an act of communication. St. Augustine said, "He who sings prays twice." Singing and prayer are the means by which one of three things happens: we talk to God, God talks to us, and we talk to each other.
• Scripture and Preaching:
  God's Word and the teaching from his Word are the cornerstone elements of the service. All other components of the service are servants of these two, and must strive to illuminate them.
• Worship Arts:
  Worship itself is an art...we must practice it every day of our lives. Worship Arts are the tools to support the message. They include music, readings, visual arts, movement/dance, and space, (how we use our sanctuary).
• Confession and Assurance:
  These prayers break down barriers between the worshipper and God, and enhance the building of community among believers.
• Offering:
  All we have comes from God and belongs to God. Our offering is our cheerful response to a loving God, the giver of all gifts.
• Sacraments:
  Holy Communion (Celebration at the Lord's Table)
     ...As Christ's body, we gather around his table to remember his sacrifice, (his broken body and shed blood), on our behalf. Christ invites all who know him to celebrate at his table.
  
  Baptism
     ...As a church body, we believe that baptism is not a saving act, but an act in which we celebrate life in Christ. We affirm both the baptisms of infants and believers as valid expressions of faith.
• Special Service Elements:
  Commissioning (missionaries, teachers, etc.)
  Child Dedication
  Foundations Events (Confirmation)
  Creeds/ Affirmations of Faith/Testimonies/Invitation (vary by circumstance)

At Thornapple, we believe that scripture-based content in worship is absolute, but the approaches to worship are variable. The central focus of each service plays a strong role in defining the particular contents of a worship service. We maintain two distinct service styles. One service more frequently explores and builds on the strengths of many of the contemporary expressions in worship. The other service continues to rediscover in a new context the beauties of traditional forms of worship. Yet, both services have freedom to explore appropriate expressions of worship on a weekly basis. The approaches and styles can vary, but the content belongs equally to both services and is not compromised. While we celebrate diversity in worship styles, we consider it a privelege to honor one another's individual preferences.

We, at Thornapple, pray "that we may exploit the inner yearning that millions possess to be intimately connected with their Father in heaven through genuine, authentic, consistent, purposeful, loving, and pleasing expressions of worship." (George Barna, Experience God in Worship, Group Publishing, 2000).