Our Worship Style

The worship experience at the Vineyard might not be what you are used to. People standing, raising hands, kneeling, clapping, or even weeping during the music can be different for some. Yet these and other activities are simply a natural response to God's presence and are found commonly throughout the Scriptures.

Lifting Up Hands
An attitude of thanksgiving and surrender sometimes causes us to lift up our hands. "Yadah" is the Hebrew word found in the Bible which was translated "praise." It actually means to worship with extended hand. Examples of lifting hands in worship are found throughout the Bible (e.g., Nehemiah 8:6), and it is actually encouraged by Paul in his letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:8).

Clapping Hands
There are times of joy and celebration in the church in which clapping hands may be a natural outlet for our praise (Psalm 47:1). If a home run is worthy of clapping at the sports stadium, certainly God Almighty is worthy of our praise for the ultimate victory he has won!

Kneeling
As we realize who we are, compared to the awesomeness of God Almighty, kneeling can be a natural, outward expression of humility and submission (Psalm 95:6-7, Luke 5:8).

Weeping
Just as there are moments of tears in certain situations between people, so are there when we stop to be intimate with God. We may experience tears of healthy conviction and sorrow, tears of joy for His love, or the release of emotional pain as we are touched by Him. (Luke 7:38).

We believe such expressions are simply a matter of congruency; the natural process of expressing physically what we are expressing within our hearts and words. (i.e., honor through raising our hands, openness through open hands, humility through kneeling, etc.). Our desire is to enjoy an atmosphere of true freedom, where our focus on God is neither inhibited nor imposed upon... where we can simply focus on God rather than social or "religious expectations."

Towards this end, we respect our different personalities and preferences and simply say... 'Come worship God as you are lead by His Spirit.'