Vineyard

The relationship of people with God, expressed through worship, is the central focus of the Vineyard churches. Viewed in this relational perspective, worship clearly enhances and interacts with all other areas of ministry in the church.

The priority of each Vineyard gathering (including staff and other business meetings) is to express the worship of the Lord. Among other things, this worship helps to soften the ground of people's hearts to other ministries. What follows are a few comments with respect to the relationship of worship to evangelism, social action, intercession, and the roles of women and children in the church. The Role of Women. The place of women in worship has not been a major issue in Vineyard churches. Several factors may account for this. Many women are involved in the various visible functions of worship as leaders, musicians, vocalists, and dancers. It is the conviction of Vineyard leaders that a person's function in the church should be based on that person's calling, character, and gifts, rather than on gender. Roles performed by women vary across the Vineyard movement, but all forms of ministry are open to them. Furthermore, it is perhaps because of the emotional openness of many women that the intimacy of Vineyard worship is especially satisfying to them, both musically and lyrically. Worship and Social Action. Worship in Vineyard churches also relates strongly to the areas of social action and ministry to the disadvantaged. In times of worship, participants are able to recognize the heart of God for the poor and fatherless. Indeed, worshipers come to understand themselves as the poor and fatherless, standing in awe of the favor and compassion shown to them by the Lord. Worship is a time to invite God's compassion to fill us as believers, so we may go forth to love as we have been loved. This thought is expressed in prayer, in teaching, and in song. The "?Lord of the Poor?" by Brian Doerksen is an example:

You have chosen the poor to be rich in the faith.

You have chosen the weak to shame the strong. So pour out your mercy on the ones who know their need; Pour out your Father's love on the fatherless children. Lord of the poor, God of the weak and helpless ones, Stretch out your arm, And be a safe refuge for the ones who have no hope at all. Arise, O Lord, and have compassion on the poor and needy ones. You hear every cry of all the lonely ones. You reach out your hand to care for the children. Worshipers are encouraged to incorporate acts of kindness for the disadvantaged into their Christian lifestyles. Many congregations sponsor annual banquets for the needy. Evangelistic Worship. At this point in the Vineyard movement, evangelistic worship is a major concern. It is the conviction of Vineyard leaders that worship encourages evangelism, for in evangelism we are calling people to worship—that is, to a relationship with God. More and more, congregations are discovering that worship is evangelistic in and of itself. When a person witnesses another person involved in true worship, something in his or her spirit says, "?That is what I was made for!?" It is not unusual for people to be converted to Christ during worship, even if nothing expressly evangelistic is emphasized. Vineyard leaders are looking for ways to take worship beyond the walls of the church to the watching and waiting world. People have a deep hunger for stability, intimacy, and unconditional love. All these desires are found in worship. Responding to these needs, some Vineyard churches have set worship bands in public areas and played worship songs, both to lift up Jesus in that place and to ask his Spirit to draw people to himself. Ministry team members, scattered throughout the crowd that gathers, are prepared to share Christ and to pray with those touched by the Spirit of God. In addition, public praise in the form of "marches of Jesus" (pioneered by Graham Kendrick in England) is taking worship to the streets and making a global impact. The Vineyard organized Vancouver's first "march for Jesus" in 1992 as part of a worship festival; in this event, approximately ten thousand people took to the streets proclaiming Jesus as Lord in a powerful demonstration of Christian unity. Worship and Intercession. More and more, the ministries of worship and intercession are being placed together; these two ministries seem to empower one another. Worship without intercession can eventually lead to losing touch with the needs of others, while intercession without worship can lead to human-centered prayers and to humanitarianism, or even to depression. Some of the most powerful experiences of intercession, both in praying the prayers of Scripture and in praying extemporaneously, have occurred in the context of worship. One way this has been facilitated is through "worship intercession," an informal gathering on Saturday evening in which these two actions are combined. Children in Worship. In a typical Vineyard church, families remain together expressing their worship. Then, after a break, children are divided into different age groups, in which they may also worship together using songs appropriate for each age level. The purpose of these times with children is to nurture their relationship with God and to train them in doing the work of God's kingdom. The Vineyard also publishes worship music and worship training resources for children. In conclusion, members of the Vineyard believe that worship is to permeate every part of the life of the church. As we worship, the presence of God comes with healing, empowering us to serve and to be the body of Christ in this world.