The “Philosophy of Worship” at Valley contains 11 principles that guide the pursuit and expression of our corporate worship. Those principles fall under the two main aspects of worship: vertical and horizontal. This philosophy, in its entirety, is available by request, but the principles and summary are as follows.
The vertical aspect of worship includes six main principles.
1. Worship is a celebration of God, His works, and His character through prayer, praise, and singing. Psalm 92:4
~ The primary focus of our Sunday services is to lead hearts to exalt and exult in God.
2. God is always to be the only object of worship; He is jealous to receive the sole worship of His creation. Isaiah 42:8
~ Our corporate worship services are primarily intended as opportunities to see, encounter, and revere our transcendent and majestic God.
~ The fundamental calling of our volunteers is the authentic worship of God in their hearts.
3. We worship God in spirit (not in a temple). John 4:21-24
~ Worship is a proper, heartfelt response to who God is, not merely a “place” or “task."
4. We worship God in truth. Psalm 145:18
~ Our worship is only made acceptable by the blood of Christ, and only those reborn in Christ may offer acceptable worship to God.
5. God has prescribed the elements of worship that He delights in receiving. Mark 7:7-9
~ Biblical worship is offered in fear, awe, and reverence. It includes adoration and thanksgiving, obedience and service, confession of sin, and praise.
~ Such worship demands our focus, a right posture, and a sacrifice of time, talents, tithes, and offerings.
6. God does not accept worship when sin is unconfessed. Joshua 7:19-20
~ God sees our sin. Our worship service includes a time for us, individually and as a body of believers, to confess our sins to God and seek His
forgiveness and mercy. To refrain from confession of sin means His word is not in us. (1 John 1:10) We cannot lead where we’re unwilling or unable
to go ourselves.
The horizontal aspect of worship includes five main principles.
7. Valley Presbyterian Church strives for undistracting excellence in worship. Psalm 33:3
~ We seek to create a seamless musical and liturgical worship experience. This takes a lot of skill.
We desire for our volunteers to be skillful as musicians, vocalists, choir members, or A/V technicians.
~ It is expected that all Worship Ministry volunteers seek to constantly improve their abilities through regular practice in private (musicians and
singers), and group rehearsals via team schedule.
~ Such undistracting excellence requires a certain amount of simplicity. Simplicity doesn't mean unskilled playing; quite the contrary, it means
playing so well, so tightly, so naturally and organically that people forget we're even on stage. It means we minimize any overly flashy and
distracting musical parts and only play what helps people engage in worship.
~ Excellence is not the same as perfection. While perfection may be attainable, excellence side-steps perfection and goes to the fullness of ability.
8. Corporate worship at Valley begins when people arrive on campus and ends when they leave.
~ Our sanctuary is a place of safety amid a fallen and dangerous world. People enter our doors weary, hungry, and struggling – often well
hidden in smiles and “fine-ness”.
9. Corporate worship in Scripture involves training and requirements for speakers, pastors, singers, and musicians.
~ Volunteers will be expected to attend occasional in-house training events for personal and spiritual development and area-specific training
like musicianship, A/V tech training, etc.
~ Valley will provide occasional opportunities for worship conference attendance to inspire, encourage, and develop its ministry.
10. Christ became relevant to man through His incarnation; Paul tells us to be all things to all men. John 1:14
~ Our music selections and choices are intended to be relevant to the body of believers, that is, the members and attendees of Valley.
We offer a blended casual worship style. We will not perform songs or styles simply because they are popular or trendy.
11. Corporate worship should be conducted without offense to weaker brothers. Romans 14:13-15
~ Worship Ministry volunteers will maintain an appearance of modesty in dress out of love for their brothers and sisters so as not to draw
unnecessary attention to themselves.
~ We will leave all egos and agendas in the past and pursue our callings with humility and love.
~ We will not elevate the pursuit of musical excellence above shepherding people with compassion. The people involved in the worship ministry
are our priority as a ministry.
If you want to join the Valley Presbyterian Worship Ministry, please submit the Volunteer Application below.
Thank you, and God bless you as you serve Him!