I was literally born and raised in the Vineyard, my theology and love of Christ was largely formed by John Wimber, taught and applied through my dad. I didn’t know it as a boy but so much of who John was, believed and lived for was being instilled in my spirit. For the first 23 years of my life I was being discipled in the Vineyard as a son, then a worship leader’s son, then later a pastor’s son, then later as a worship leader myself.

And then my mom drops in my lap this book called “Thoughts on Worship” written by a collection of Vineyard worship leaders, edited by John Wimber with the first couple chapters written by John as well. After reading those first chapters written by John I’ve come to realize that much of who John Wimber was, or rather what he was believed to be, was formed by his critics and by the outliers in the Vineyard rather than himself, his theology, leadership and teaching. My heart felt glad reading the overflow of John’s heart and how Christ centered he was. I want to highlight a few of the portions here and examine them briefly.

John sets out foundationally that we worship the Father, through the Son by the Holy Spirit. John quotes from John 4:23 early on and uses it to clarify this foundation of worship:

Jesus was saying worship must be in keeping with God’s nature, which is spirit, and it must be rooted in truth, which is found in Christ.

A simple, yet profound and often missed exegesis of a scripture so crucial to our worship. John hammers home the point that our worship is “Christ centered” and our songs are both “to him and about him.” As his exegesis continues on this point John writes about deeply intimate worship and how our “expression in worship may be more exuberant and free” than we are comfortable with. But instead of diving into the biblical postures of worship, John points to the bigger heart issue.

Worship is not about personality, temperament, personal limitations, church background, or comfort. It is about God. We are called to do it for his benefit, not ours. Yet the irony is that we do indeed greatly benefit when we give ourselves to worshipping God.

I would substitute “glory” for “benefit” in the above portion, because “benefit” makes it seem as if God can be made better, or improved in some sense by worship and of course that’s not the case, God is complete, whole and perfect. But as John continues he makes it clear that’s not what he’s trying to say either.

This is not some kind of ego trip because poor old God has a bad self-image. He doesn’t need to be buttered up by the loving things we say.

John continues on in how “our praises enthrone God” and “as we acknowledge the greatness of God and His supreme position over all creation, we become aware of our own limitations.” In short the better view of God we get the more we realize how bad off we are and just how much we need Jesus. This truly is at the heart of the gospel becoming bigger and bigger to us as our intimacy with Christ grows.

Now John Wimber does something that might surprise some of you, he wraps up his “essence of worship” by quoting J.I. Packer. All my reformed brothers are now standing and clapping at their desks as they read this.

J.I. Packer says, “Worship in the Bible involves praising him for what He is, thanking him for what He has done, and desiring him to give Himself more glory by further acts of mercy, judgment and power, and trusting in him for our concerns for our own and other’ future well being.”

Dr. Packer has grasped the true essence of worship. As we interact with God, we will find ourselves more and more satisfied in him and less and less satisfied with the things that have attracted or enticed us.

Doesn’t the second paragraph sound a lot like John Piper’s Desiring God? I must admit I wasn’t expecting this, but loved reading it. John makes it clear what the heart and true essence of worship is, how it must be Christ centered, how expression comes from the overflow of the heart, how worship is for God’s glory not ours and how God is not a weak, wimpy God with a bad self image that we must prop up with praise. To me this should now be read as a pastoral letter from John to the church, admonishing them and reminding them of the truth. I don’t mean the Vineyard specifically because I’m no longer in it and I don’t pretend to know what is happening in it, but for the broader church. This strikes at the heart of Christ-less worship and idolatry in music.

But this should also be read as an encouragement in intimacy with Christ in worship and how that is done biblically in spirit and truth. Where our passion should be and what that ends up looking like in corporate worship, namely not a dry, emotionless, comfortable experience.

Much more could be said here, but I’d rather ask you guys what you think. Has any of this been eye opening as to who John Wimber was as a pastor? Does this surprise an of you that these texts came from the founder of the Vineyard? Question for the Vineyard guys, 13yrs after this was written, do you still see this as foundational truth in your worship theology or have other things replaced it?

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