What do you think of when you hear the word 'worship'?

Is worship only associated with the singing we do in our public worship services? Is worship only viewed as something distinct from the portion of the service that is devoted to preaching? Is the pinnacle of worship some kind of inexpressible, intangible feeling or emotional high? Here at WBC, we think the answers to these questions are NO.

We see worship as the result of everything we do in the life of our church. We envision our church family being passionately and completely engaged in biblical worship that consumes our worship services, ministries, and lives. We hope our church is a place where love for people springs from love for God; where joy permeates the air, and where people are one in spirit.

As we seek to make our vision a reality, we have a heart for our ministry to be based on the Bible. The Bible has much to say about worship. We believe the Bible defines worship in its most basic form as “acknowledging God and submitting your life to Him.” This includes making Jesus Christ the center of the things you love, desire, and imagine to be good. Everyone worships. The questions are who, what, when, where, how and why do we worship? 

> WHO DO WE WORSHIP? 

- The Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one God in three persons. (Genesis 1:26, Hebrews 1:2, Genesis 1:1-2, John 17:1-5) 

> WHAT DO WE WORSHIP WITH? 

- With all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Worship cannot be limited to one part of our body or area of life. (Mark 12:30)

- Preaching of the Word. (2 Timothy 4:2)

- With all kinds of music and other art forms. The Bible promotes several styles of music and art forms in worship. (Colossians 3:12-16, Ephesians 5:18-21, Exodus 31, Psalm 20:5, 2 Chronicles 3-5)

> WHEN DO WE WORSHIP? 

- All the time. Worship is not limited to a day. Worship should be seen as a lifestyle. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, John 4:19-26) 

> WHERE DO WE WORSHIP?

- Everywhere. Worship can not be limited to a building or a church service. (John 4:19-26)

> HOW DO WE WORSHIP?

- As a family. The Bible promotes worship that is multi-generational. (Psalm 145)

- By pointing to the story of Jesus Christ and His mission in the world. Biblical worship is centered on Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 9:1-12)

- Orderly. The Bible speaks of a particular flow of worship. In the Old Testament the sacrifices generally followed this order: sin offering, ascension offering, and fellowship offering. (Lev. 7:16-21,9, 1 Kings 8, Nehemiah 8).While the animal sacrifices were types and shadows that pointed to Jesus (Luke 24:27), their order was logical and relational. The New Testament also directs worship to be done in a orderly way. We seek to proclaim the gospel story of Jesus Christ in the order in which we worship. (1 Corinthians 11-15)

> WHY DO WE WORSHIP?

- Renew God’s Covenant with Us. The Bible promotes worship that renews our relationship with God. Despite our problem of ongoing sin, God is faithful to forgive us and keep us.

- To Be Formed and Edified by the Gospel of Christ. We are formed by the story of the gospel in our lives as we come together to practice the rhythms of adoration, confession, assurance, thanksgiving, petition, instruction, charge, and blessing. (Isaiah 6, Deuteronomy 5, 2 Chronicles 5-7, Joshua 24, Romans 11-15, 1 Corinthians 11-15, and Revelation 4-21)