The Vineyard Community of Knoxville
ABOUT OUR SERVICES
Our gatherings are a reflection of our uniqueness. Although we seek to be relevant, we are unwilling to pattern the ministry after tradition or contemporary trends. We simply want to be among those of whom Jesus spoke as He encountered the woman at the well. He said to her, “the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:22-25
Our worship must be in the Holy Spirit rather than originating from the preferences and patterns of man. This is possible as we each come to the house of God personally and spiritually prepared. We then allow Him to lead by the Holy Spirit.
Our worship must always be consistent with the Truth of God’s Word. He always leads consistent with His written and inspired Word. Here are some things that may be part of our worship as the Holy Spirit has His way.
- Lifting hands
- Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Ps 63:3-4
- Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. Ps 134:2
- Audible praise
- Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Ps 103:1
- I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Ps 34:1-3
- Clapping hands
- Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! Ps 47:1
- Singing scripture, spiritual songs, as well as hymns
- …be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Eph 5:18-19
- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:16
- Anointing with oil…
- …call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Ja 5:14-15
- Dancing before the
Lord
- Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. Ps. 149:3
- …praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, Ps. 150:4
- Agreement in
prayer
- So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord Acts 4:23-24
- Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matt 18:19
- Giving of tithes and
offerings
- “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ”In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. Mal 3:8
- Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. Mal 3:10
- The operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (especially prophecy)
- Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Cor 14:1-5
- Order and reverence
- Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Cor 14:40
Why we say please obey the Holy Spirit
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Cor 14:26-27
We believe the Holy Spirit has a plan and design for every gathering. Jesus is the Head of the Body and when we come together we must get our direction from Him. As the scripture above indicates, we need to come together prepared to contribute and do so as the Holy Spirit leads. It is essential that we make no requirements or have no expectations other than to desire only Gods will.
Freedom to obey the Holy Spirit is not the same as a freedom to express self. There are many good and creative thoughts and possibilities but only that which is prompted by the Holy Spirit should become part of the public worship experience. The Bible tells us that Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered in her heart the many things that she could have shared. (Luke 2:19) Most things need to be treasured in our hearts but there are specific prayers, testimonies, songs, exhortations, and praise that the Holy Spirit ordains for everyones edification. A key to remaining in the Holy Spirit is submission. God has appointed a spiritual overseer along with other elders and pastors to help the congregation know how God is leading.