Workship Resources - The Worship Curve
What is the "Worship Curve"?
The Worship Curve is an idealised outline for Christian worship that uses the Holy Communion Service as its foundation.
Whilst you wouldn't use the full thing except in longer, more formal services, it does also show how the emotional side of worship can be used to help drive the practical side in that it acknowledges that at some point, you need to "come off the mountain" and move out (5. The Commision) into the kind of worship that is our daily lives of helping and serving others.
This has been developed by Gareth Robinson, Director of Worship at St. Thomas' Church, Sheffield, UK for use as a teaching aid within the church. If you would like to use it in your own church, please get in touch and I will pass on your details to Gareth.
The Worship Curve
Origin of the word
Old English weorthscipe, from worth + -ship.
(Source: The Collins English Dictionary © 2000 HarperCollins Publishers)
Biblical words
There are six Hebrew words in the Old Testament (OT) and one in the Greek New Testament (NT) that relate to what we use the word "worship" for:
| OT: | SHAHBACH (Ps 63:3) | - commend, praise, adore, glory in something, to still, quiet, pacify |
| TEHILLAH (Ps 100:4) | - celebrate, laud, admire, exalt | |
| HALAL (1 Chr 23:30) | - rejoice, boast about | |
| BARACH (Ps 145:2) | - bless, salute, thank, kneel down | |
| SHAHCHAH (Ps 99:5) | - bow down, stoop, submit, revere, pay homage, make oneself low | |
| AVAD (Ps 100:2) | - serve, work/labour for | |
| NT: | PROSKUNEO | - come towards to kiss |
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father
in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is
Spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24
(Source: The Holy Bible, New International Version © 1984, International Bible Society)
- Father
Implies intimacy, vulnerability and tenderness in worship - Truth
‘not hidden’ – reality, sincerity, integrity, honesty, bible-based (revealed) - Spirit
‘identity’ – worshipping as who we are… Luther translating Latin, Wesley changing words of pub songs, Moody using ‘wordly music’ like waltzes…
The "Worship Curve"
The mountain imagery of worship.
- Exaltation – thanks and praise (What God has done)
Tehillah – celebration. Volume and pace important – express joy. - Reflection – God’s character and attributes (Who God is)
Including readings from bible, repentance, creed - Adoration – Reverence and awe (God ‘turns up’)
Sense of calm in praise, bow in reverence, open to God, gifts, intercession - Consummation – Lost in wonder love and praise (The kiss)
Face to face encounter, experience love and healing, sermon, communion - Commission – The sending out (Our response)
With thanksgiving, valley of society, home, family, work; transfiguration
