Highpoint Church is all about living life and growing faith. We are committed to creating spiritually mature Christians by moving them through a strategic process of experiencing God, growing faith, serving each other, and loving our world. Our goal is to provide a process that causes people to move through the following levels of growth and maturity:

  • Experiencing God through worship, prayer, and teaching.

  • Growing in faith by learning and living God’s Word.

  • Serving God and each other.

  • Loving our community and world.

Soon after a person becomes a follower of Christ, the Bible encourages him/her to start identifying with the community of faith in public worship. Since public worship is usually the starting point in a person’s journey to maturity, we would like to answer some simple questions about experiencing God through worship at Highpoint Church.

What is community worship?

Worship can mean many different things to each of us. Our word worship derives from an Old English word meaning “worthiness” or “worth.” Therefore, worship is expressing God’s “worthship” in our lives. Community worship is the combined expression of our love to God—for who He is, for what He has said, and for what He is doing in our lives. Although this can and should be done on an individual level, community worship occurs when the body of Christ gathers to do this as a group.

Why is experiencing God through community worship important?

Community worship is important to our church, and to every Christian, for the following reasons:

The Bible teaches us that God wants us to be faithful to attending worship services because it is rewarding, encouraging, and prepares us for the second coming of Christ (Psalms 34:3, 95:1-7, 100, 105:1-6, 107:1-3, 111:1, 150; Hebrews 10:25).

The presence and power of God is most easily encountered in times of public praise and prayer. When God’s people gather together for worship, prayer, and teaching, God is present in their midst in a special way (Matthew 18:20; James 4:8).

Being faithful to attending worship services exposes you to the ministry of people who are called, gifted, and trained to help you grow in your faith (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:6–7; Ephesians 4:11–13; 2 Timothy 2:1–2).

A desire to identify with the body of Christ is a characteristic of Christian health. The more you grow as a Christian, the more you will desire to be in God’s house (Psalms 122:1; 84:1; Romans 10:17; Acts 2:42).

During a worship service, everything we do as a body of believers turns our minds and hearts toward God in united worship. This state of united focus honors God’s deepest desires for us as a people (John 17:11,20–23; Psalm 133:1).

Worshipping together enables individuals to follow the same shepherd in leadership and hear God’s heart for our church. While God is guiding the pastor to call his people to prayer, repentance, and growth in Christ, the believer who does not participate in worship services regularly cannot receive the guidance that the rest of the body is receiving. In a sense, they are missing the team huddle and disconnected with the others (Romans 12:1–2; Revelation 2:7,11,17,29, 3:6,13,27).

Corporate worship at Highpoint Church includes not only the worship service itself, but also the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26), water baptism (Romans 6:1–4), baby dedications, our offerings (1 Corinthians 16:1–4), as well as preaching, teaching, and discipleship opportunities (1 Timothy 4:13). Corporate worship also includes the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12–14), and service and outreach opportunities (Isaiah 58:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7; Matthew 25:43–45).

Community worship enables us to respond to those who are needy, mourning, and sick (Romans 12:16; James 5:14; 1 John 4:12; Hebrews 10:24; 3:13; Romans 15:14; 12:10; Ephesians 4:32).

Why is experiencing God through community worship important?

Community worship is important to our church, and to every Christian, for the following reasons:

The Bible teaches us that God wants us to be faithful to attending worship services because it is rewarding, encouraging, and prepares us for the second coming of Christ (Psalms 34:3, 95:1-7, 100, 105:1-6, 107:1-3, 111:1, 150; Hebrews 10:25).

The presence and power of God is most easily encountered in times of public praise and prayer. When God’s people gather together for worship, prayer, and teaching, God is present in their midst in a special way (Matthew 18:20; James 4:8).

Being faithful to attending worship services exposes you to the ministry of people who are called, gifted, and trained to help you grow in your faith (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:6–7; Ephesians 4:11–13; 2 Timothy 2:1–2).

A desire to identify with the body of Christ is a characteristic of Christian health. The more you grow as a Christian, the more you will desire to be in God’s house (Psalms 122:1; 84:1; Romans 10:17; Acts 2:42).

During a worship service, everything we do as a body of believers turns our minds and hearts toward God in united worship. This state of united focus honors God’s deepest desires for us as a people (John 17:11,20–23; Psalm 133:1).

Worshipping together enables individuals to follow the same shepherd in leadership and hear God’s heart for our church. While God is guiding the pastor to call his people to prayer, repentance, and growth in Christ, the believer who does not participate in worship services regularly cannot receive the guidance that the rest of the body is receiving. In a sense, they are missing the team huddle and disconnected with the others (Romans 12:1–2; Revelation 2:7,11,17,29, 3:6,13,27).

Corporate worship at Highpoint Church includes not only the worship service itself, but also the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26), water baptism (Romans 6:1–4), baby dedications, our offerings (1 Corinthians 16:1–4), as well as preaching, teaching, and discipleship opportunities (1 Timothy 4:13). Corporate worship also includes the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12–14), and service and outreach opportunities (Isaiah 58:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7; Matthew 25:43–45).

Community worship enables us to respond to those who are needy, mourning, and sick (Romans 12:16; James 5:14; 1 John 4:12; Hebrews 10:24; 3:13; Romans 15:14; 12:10; Ephesians 4:32).

How does community worship occur at Highpoint Church?

Although public worship can occur through many ways, the Sunday morning worship service is the primary (although not only) vehicle for community worship at Highpoint Church. We will seek to provide an opportunity for community worship through two Sunday morning services at 9:00AM and 10:30AM for all ages, children through adults.

What does the worship experience look like?

The community worship opportunities at Highpoint Church are inviting, inspirational, and intentional experiences consisting of the following components:

Each service includes fifteen to twenty minutes of heartfelt worship and praise that is led by a worship leader and assisted by a worship team and band.

The worship experience also features a meaningful song by a choir, ensemble, soloist, or instrumentalist.

Most services include a time for those with special needs to receive prayer and support.

The services also have a creative media or dramatic presentation to highlight an important spiritual theme or principle.

Each service includes a short communications window to inform people of important information or opportunities for spiritual growth and involvement.

The worship experience includes a thirty-five minute teaching where biblical truths will be communicated and applied in creative ways.

The worship experience concludes with some kind of creative application that encourages people to act upon truth or embrace spiritual growth. Although the specific order of these things may vary depending on the day, each service usually has them in some form or another.

What does the worship experience look like?

The community worship opportunities at Highpoint Church are inviting, inspirational, and intentional experiences consisting of the following components:

Each service includes fifteen to twenty minutes of heartfelt worship and praise that is led by a worship leader and assisted by a worship team and band.

The worship experience also features a meaningful song by a choir, ensemble, soloist, or instrumentalist.

Most services include a time for those with special needs to receive prayer and support.

The services also have a creative media or dramatic presentation to highlight an important spiritual theme or principle.

Each service includes a short communications window to inform people of important information or opportunities for spiritual growth and involvement.

The worship experience includes a thirty-five minute teaching where biblical truths will be communicated and applied in creative ways.

The worship experience concludes with some kind of creative application that encourages people to act upon truth or embrace spiritual growth. Although the specific order of these things may vary depending on the day, each service usually has them in some form or another.

Experiencing God

How can I maximize my worship experience?

At Highpoint Church, we want each and every person to grow in faith. Here are some practical ways you can make the most of your worship experience.

A strong commitment has always been the prerequisite of personal spiritual growth. We see this in the lives of the New Testament believers in Acts 2:42 where it says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (NIV, emphasis added). Without commitment your faith will never move past good intentions or inconvenient circumstances. There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. But when you’re committed to something you do it whether you feel like it or not, despite what the circumstances may be. The first place to start is to decide that you are going to be faithful to attend at least three of our four Sunday morning worship services a month.

Don’t be a spectator during the worship experience. Many people mistakenly think that the worship team are the performers and they are the audience. But the Bible tells us it is the exact opposite. When you are worshipping, God is the audience and we are the performers. During the worship time, it is common for us to have prayer for those with special needs. If you have a need, don’t be shy; allow the ministry team to pray with and for you. If you don’t have a need, stay at your seat and pray for those who do. During communication time be sure to listen closely for announcements about future growth opportunities, greet those around you, and sign the welcome book whether you’re a guest or a regular attender.

The Bible teaches us that God has called, gifted and anointed pastors for the specific purpose of teaching you and building your faith. The Bible says that teaching can grow your faith when it says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17). Listen to the teaching, take notes, take advantage of opportunities for audience participation, and be engaged in the creative ways that Pastor Gene uses humor, props, and drama to communicate spiritual principles.

Come to the worship experience expecting God to do something new and exciting in your life. The Bible speaks about the importance of expecting great things from God when it says, “But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6–7 NLT, emphasis added). Each Sunday, God has a special plan for you. Pray before the service or on your way to church for God to speak to you and others during this special time.

The worship experience is filled with opportunities for God to work in your life supernaturally. To both recognize and seize them, you will need to be open to others, open to new challenges, and open to change in your life. Look for ways to apply the worship or teaching to your life and be eager to activate your will in these matters.

When you enter the auditorium, interact with others. Talk to those around you and introduce yourself. Make it a priority to meet others, learn their names, and get involved in their lives.

The Bible tells us how important it is to apply what you learn from the worship or teaching to your life when it says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:19–25). In other words, spiritual growth is not experiencing God, but applying that experience to our daily lives.

Look for the “next step.” Whether it’s now or later, at some point you will need to move to the next step in your journey to maturity. If you want to continue growing in your faith, it is important to find a Power of 3 small group that can help you learn and live out God’s Word in your life.

SMALL GROUPS
POWER OF THREE BIBLE READING

Look for the “next step.” Whether it’s now or later, at some point you will need to move to the next step in your journey to maturity. If you want to continue growing in your faith, it is important to find a Power of 3 small group that can help you learn and live out God’s Word in your life.

SMALL GROUPS
POWER OF THREE BIBLE READING