Worship Arts

Beliefs

  • We believe worship is an act of the heart. John 4:21-24; Matthew 15:8-9
  • We believe worship is inextricably based in the truth about God, specifically the holy scripture and what He has done in our lives. John 4:21-24
  • We believe that worship is made possible by the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 12:3
  • We believe that the only way to worship God is through Jesus Christ; (John 14:6) because He is fully God; (Colossians 2:9) because He is the place for worship, the Holy Temple of the new covenant; (John 2:19-21) because He is the atoning sacrifice that clears our consciences; (Hebrews 9:14) and because He is the High priest who intercedes on our behalf and precedes us in to the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:24)
  • We believe the people of God are called to be worshippers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all areas of life. Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 1:9-10; 1:20-21; John 4:21-24
  • We believe the people of God are called to worship God together, and in unity. Hebrews 10:25; Psalm 133; Romans 15:5
  • We believe the people of God are called to sing to Him and one another. Ephesians 5:19-20
  • We believe the people of God are called to sing new songs to Him. Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 144:9; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9; 14:3
  • We believe the meeting of the church in worship is a time to give to God the adoration He is due and enjoy deep satisfaction in God together. We believe God does not need us to minister to Him or serve Him. Acts 17:24-25
  • We believe nonbelievers can and will be changed by experiencing the church together in worship. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25
  • We believe there are appropriate times during corporate worship for celebration, joy, fun, humor, repentance, reverence, introspection, encouragement, adoration, admonishment, and teaching. Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 16:11

Purpose of Corporate Worship Services

Corporate worship services at Missio Dei Church exist to proclaim to God and to one another the joy and satisfaction we know in Him. Our corporate worship services are not our evangelism. However, if we are a family of believers that is truly a missional community, our corporate worship will be appropriate and attractive to our culture. Our language, music, hospitality, and value of the arts during corporate worship is merely an extension of who we are. We believe God ministers to everyone in the context of authentic worship.

Purpose of the arts in corporate worship

We employ the arts: picture, music, drama, video, and story to communicate, celebrate, clarify, stir emotions, empower responses, ask poignant questions, and convey ideas. If written and verbal communication makes a statement to the left brain, the arts communicate to the right brain. We believe the arts are a powerful gift from God to celebrate His goodness and communicate His story.

A Question of Style

At Missio Dei Church we see the feel and style of art in our culture as liquid and tribal. Liquid because technology allows us instant access to art from every time and place. Most North Americans are influenced by national and international art whether they see a band play a song on a late night talk show, or watch the movie Supersize Me. American teens may have Yo Yo Ma, Led Zeppelin, and Green Day all together on their ipod. Artistic style is also tribal in that people value art according to their time, place, and affinity group - 20 something punk rockers in Seattle value different art than 45 year old fathers in Wisconsin . At Missio Dei Church our artistic style is influenced by our local culture, and the greater culture around us. Our people live in and interact with our culture for the sake of the gospel, and they bring their artistic values in to the church. This creates an artistic style that is liquid, tribal, attractive, heterogeneous, and indigenous.

What it means in practice

What all this means in practice is that at Missio Dei Church we use drums, guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, electronica, djembes, flutes, cellos, violins, and any other instrument that fits our cultures, local or greater. The primary form of music for our church, our local culture, and our greater culture is a band playing music influenced by Rock, Country, Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Gospel, and Punk. Boiled down, the music in our church looks and sounds like the music in our culture.

Excellence

We value excellence in all things for three reasons. First, God is a masterful creator and we should imitate Him. (Ephesians 5:1; Genesis 1 & 2) Second, excellence is attractive, crap is repellant. Third, excellence stirs the emotions and causes us to worship saying, “Praise be to God!”; crap is distracting. The right thing done wrong is wrong. Those who plan corporate worship, play instruments, speak, create video, etc. are held to a standard that is above average. In practice this simply means that a guitar player that knows four chords is not ready to lead corporate worship, and someone who put their family vacation in imovie is not ready to create video for corporate worship.

Tongues, Prophecy, & Gifts

We do not believe that tongues, prophecy, and other gifts have ceased. We hold fast to the teaching of the Apostle Paul that the things that are said and done in corporate worship should be beneficial and understandable to all, including nonbelievers. The gift of tongues is primarily for the encouragement of the individual. (1 Corinthians 14)