My Philosophy of Worship

How can one express the full essence, significance, and expression of worship? I might as well not even try! But as I am often asked, I do hold to several non-negotiable scriptural fundamentals regarding Christian worship, but believe that the Lord has given discretion to the Church for cultural stylings and musical preferences (that may be an abomination to some!). 

Below are some very important points I stress when communicating my views about the worship of God. Again, these points are by no means exhaustive, and an expert in theology may be amused by this elementary list. In any case, these points are vital to my personal philosophy of worship—views that guide my life and ministry. I hope they somehow help others form their own worship philosophy.

Jamie Harvill

Philosophy of Worship

Worship is central to Scripture. Worship is the appropriate response of a God/man relationship (John 4:23; 1 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 12:28–29; Col. 3:16; 2 John 1:9; Rev. 22:18–19). Worship must be biblical to be acceptable to God (Lev. 10:3). Biblical worship is made possible only through Christ (John 14:6).

God initiates worship (John 14:6; Rev. 3:20; Rom. 5:10, 6:23; 1 John 4:19; 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 2:8; 1 Cor. 1:9), requires worship (Matt. 22: 36-40), and sustains worship (Gal. 3:3).

Biblical worship must be Christ-centered (Heb. 1:6; Rev. 4:1-11). D. A. Carson said, “Christian worship is new-covenant worship; it is gospel-inspired worship; it is Christ-centered worship; it is cross-focused worship.”[1]

Worship must be the priority of the church. Isaiah 43:7 defends that mankind was created to glorify God.  The purpose for each ministry of the church is ultimately to bring glory to God. Ephesians 1:11-14 stresses that worship is the goal of His redemptive work. Ronald B. Allen said, “[Various] ministries...have wonderful meaning in their own terms; but all of them, when done in the power of God’s Spirit and to God’s glory, have one end—the worship of God.[2]

Biblical worship must be balanced; one must worship Him in spirit (subjectively, with heartfelt devotion) and in truth (with biblical principles and guidelines—John 4:23-24).

            Biblical worship and evangelism are inseparable. According to Matthew 28:18-20, evangelism and worship are uniquely related—the worship of God leads to evangelism and discipleship.[3] Worshiping God goes hand-in-hand with loving one’s neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40).

Congregational worship edifies and instructs the Body of Christ (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).[4]

Multigenerational worship is biblical (Ps. 133:1); it is to be a priority in the Body so as no age group is valued or served above another.

Multicultural worship is biblical (Eph. 2:11-3:7; Gal. 2; 5:1-6; Acts 15). The Bible must be the final and definitive authority for Christian beliefs and practices.

Worship must be practiced with excellence (Ps. 150:2). Excellence in worship honors God and respects the congregation by removing distractions that may obstruct a clear view of God and His greatness (Is. 62:10).

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[1]D. A. Carson, “Worship Under the Word,” in Worship by the Book, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 59.

[2] Ronald B. Allen, The Wonder of Worship (Nashville: Word Publishing, 2000), 21-23, 179.

[3] David Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley, Worship and Witness: Becoming a Great Commission Worshiper (Nashville: Lifeway, 2012), 11.

[4] Jamie Harvill, To Jesus We Sing: A Concise History of Christian Worship (Mobile, AL: Wyatt House Publishing, 2016), 61.