The Vineyard assemblies are marked by contemporary musical forms in a praise-and-worship style. After a period of development along these lines, some Vineyards are rediscovering the hymns and songs of the historic church. Of the other arts in worship, the Vineyards are making a unique contribution to dance in worship, in the form of free and spontaneous dance rather than formal liturgical dance. Vineyard leadership must “release” dancers to perform their ministry, thereby screening out dance that is inappropriate for worship.
Music
In the Vineyard, we believe that all music is created by God and that all forms of music can be used in an expression of worship. God’s presence is not wrapped up in one style of music, for music will change in each generation and culture. It is interesting to note that the Psalms consisted of both music and lyrics, but only the words were preserved as Scripture. A major part of renewing worship is the ongoing task of renewing the music through which it is expressed, keeping it relevant in both style and quality to the cultures in which we live.
The primary form of music in the Vineyard is soft rock, as this seems best to reflect the culture of which we are a part. The primary instruments used are acoustic guitar, electronic keyboards, drums, bass guitar, and electric guitars. There is also some quiet, reflective instrumental music using our normal instrumentation as well as some classical instruments such as the cello. The normal size of a Vineyard worship band ranges from five to ten people, including several vocalists.
As the Vineyard continues to grow and to focus on evangelism, our music is changing as well. At present, the Langley (B.C.) Vineyard has four congregations (services). Two of these are traditional Vineyard (soft rock) and meet on Sunday. The other two are quite different. On Friday night we have “God Rock,” where the music is more mainstream rock, with some alternative rock as well. The instruments used are similar, including electric guitars, bass guitar, and drums, but the style of music is different and the volume is louder. On Saturday night “God’s Country” meets. This service features country music, primarily contemporary country along with some traditional country. At present, the instrumentation is similar to the mainstream Vineyard style, but in the future, more “country” instruments may be included, including the pedal steel, mandolin, and harmonica.
We believe that the quality of our music in both musical skill and sound reinforcement should be excellent, comparable to music available in the culture that we are trying to reach. Therefore, it is a high priority that our musicians rehearse regularly and be committed to increasing their skill on their instrument. Also, quality sound involves training qualified sound technicians and investing fairly large amounts of money in professional sound equipment.
At this point, virtually all of our music is worship music, directed to God both in lyrics and in our style of presentation. There is very little special music or performance music used in our meetings. The majority of our songs are worship songs, choruses, and songs of praise. Many of them are written out of Scripture, either paraphrased or directly used (usually from the NIV). Also, many of our songs are based on our experiences and desires in our relationship with God (e.g., “Father, I Want You to Hold Me”). These songs are not only love songs to God but contain powerful theological statements about who God is and about our relationship with him.
Another way worship is being renewed in the Vineyard is by embracing the historic church and some of its music that has stood the test of time. Occasionally we include a hymn or two in our flow of worship, arranged to fit our contemporary musical context. We generally do not update the words of these hymns so that we can identify with every part of the church (e.g., “My Jesus I Love Thee”), though the vast majority of our other lyrics are culture-current.
The Arts
In regard to the arts, there has been a major resurgence of faith that God does indeed want to use the arts in our expression of worship. An arts support group has begun in Langley, B.C., as well as in Chicago and in other Vineyards. While most of our regular meetings are held in rented facilities that greatly limit our potential use of environmental art, more and more art is being used at special events. At a recent Vineyard Worship Festival, a large backdrop was painted and other props were designed to enhance the atmosphere and environment in which our worship is expressed. Many Vineyards use banners in worship, though not as frequently as other worship traditions.
For the most part, the area of drama is still in the vision and desire stage and is not yet openly implemented as part of our service of worship. On one occasion in our congregation, a woman acted out the pouring of perfume at Jesus’ feet as part of worship. But such instances of the drama in worship are still quite rare.
Dance has seen the greatest release in the arts as far as worship in the Vineyard is concerned. Desire and vision have become an emerging reality in worship in a number of the Vineyards. Introducing dance at our Vineyard was not easy. Several years ago we had a false start. We greatly desired to see dance in worship, but what we saw at that point seemed more like a showcase of individual talent, rather than something that inspired worship in the congregation. We discontinued using dance for a time, which allowed us to learn a great deal more about it. Now as dance has reemerged, it is breathing life into our meetings through the spirit of worship, humility, and joy that permeates it.
There are many forms of dance, and we do not want to limit God in any form of dance. Yet in the context of our worship, we are pulling it away from what the church has known as dance, i.e., liturgical dance, which is highly choreographed, with no room for spontaneity or the leading of the Spirit. Our form of dance is not dancing as the world knows it, because there is no specific form, but would appear closest to ballet. In the church, it is non-threatening and pleasant to observe. Sign language is also incorporated.
The purpose of dance is to enhance worship, to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, flow through us, and to generate from us participation from the congregation, to enter into praise, adoration, joyful worship, spiritual warfare, intercession. We are not pursuing self-glorification or performance, but dance in brokenness and vulnerability, allowing others to see and experience intimacy with the Father. Heart and motivations must be pure when called to the ministry of dance.
Specifically, we have one individual who oversees dance, and only specific people are released to dance up front, in both choreographed group dances or spontaneous dance. All are free to express their worship in the back of the sanctuary, or in smaller meetings, though there are also times in our larger meetings when the worship leader releases every one to dance. These occasions are a very joyful, celebrative expression of dance.
We believe that God desires to breathe life into each cultural expression of music, dance, and the arts to inspire worship and to call people to a relationship with their Creator.