How We Worship

At awmach.org Churches, we worship joyfully, seriously, and enthusiastically.

During our services, worship takes many forms. Sometimes it is structured and other times spontaneous. Sometimes it is loud and other times quiet. Sometimes there is an explosive celebration of praise and other times there is quiet reverence. We may sing a variety of choruses, spiritual songs, and hymns.

Our worship involves music, the Word, praise, and both physical and vocal response. We all carry the responsibility of seeking God. Each person is encouraged to participate in the worship of our Lord.

• The Bible is our source for pattern and principle.
• The glory of God is our goal!
• Decency and order are constant watchwords.

It is our desire to follow the patterns set out in the Scriptures. Jesus said the Father desires individuals to be true worshipers,

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:23,24

We note some of the following Greek and Hebrew words to give us insight into acceptable worship:

• shabach - to address in a loud tone; to glory; triumph
• halal - to shine; to celebrate
• yadah - to hold out the hand, to throw; to worship with extended hands
• todah - hands extended; sacrifice of praise, thanks; thanksgiving offering
• barak - to kneel, by implication to bless God; adoration
• zamar - to play; to make music; to touch strings; accompanied; to celebrate in song and music; by voice.

This gives us direction to worship God with all that is within us, offering ourselves as a "living sacrifice" - Rom. 12:1. We recognize that there will be a variety of expressions and manifestations within the worship experience. These may include:

• standing - 1 Ki. 8:22; 1 Chr. 23:30; 2 Chr. 7:6; Ps. 134:1,
• kneeling - Ps. 95:6; Acts 20:36, 21:5; Phil. 2:10,
• bowing down - Is. 45:23; Ps. 95:6; 2 Chr. 20:18,
• lifting hands - Ps. 28:2, 63:4, 134:2,
• clapping hands - Ps. 47:1,
• shouting (loud rejoicing) - Ps. 47:1, 118:15; 1 Chr. 15:28,
• singing (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs) - 1 Chr. 15:22, 16:42,
• dancing and celebrating, 1 Chr. 15:29; Ps. 150:4; 2 Sam. 6:16,
• musical instruments, 1 Chr. 15:16-21, 16:42,
• thanksgiving offering (spiritual sacrifice, worship), Ps. 27:6, 116:17; Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:5,
• new song - Ps. 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9,

Other activities at appropriate times in the service may include using a prayer language (1 Cor. 14:2, 14-15, 28), praying aloud together (Acts 2), crying out to the Lord (Ps. 50:15, 55:17), praying for the sick (James 5:13-16, Is. 53:5), and laying on of hands in prayer (Heb. 6:2, 1 Tim. 5:22, Acts 13:3).

The Holy Spirit may also work through individuals in a supernatural way for ministry in

• Word of knowledge: A specific word revealing knowledge about people, circumstances, spiritual truths, or insight into God's will or plan (1 Cor. 12:8),

• Word of wisdom: A specific word applying the revelation of God's word, will, or wisdom to a specific situation or problem. (1 Cor. 12:8),

• Discerning of spirits: A revelation or insight into the spirit world, to distinguish between true and false spirits and their plans. (1 Cor. 12:10),

• Faith: The absolute belief in God and His promises without hindrance by doubt, unbelief, or human reasoning (1 Cor. 12:9),

• Gifts of healing: God's power to supernaturally heal all sickness. (1 Cor. 12:9),

• Working of miracles: God's power to intervene in natural events and to counteract natural laws (1 Cor. 12:10),

• Prophecy: A message that is not conceived of human thought and may be used to speak of future events (1 Cor. 12:10, Acts 2:18) or may speak to edify, exhort, or comfort the body of believers (1 Cor. 14:3),

• Tongues: A message in a language not known to the speaker. It is a message of God and should always be paired with an interpretation. (1 Cor. 12:10, 14:21-22, Acts 2:4-11, 10:45-46),

• Interpretation of tongues: An interpretation in the native language translating the above message in tongues so it can be understood by the body of believers (1 Cor. 12:10, 14:13, 16-17).

These ministries and manifestations are to "be done decently and in order" 1 Cor. 14:40.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" 1 Cor. 14:33.