COC's Worship Ministry has many members who contribute their musical or technical gifting to serve our congregation on Sunday mornings. They sing, play instruments, and run audio/visual equipment to encourage and build one another up.
The philosophy of ministry below guides our Worship Ministry in everything from song choice and musical style, to our attitude and godly living:
The mission of music ministry at Church of the Canyons is to lead the corporate gathering of the congregation in worship of the triune God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit - in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16) that are both theologically rich and musically excellent, to the end that Christ and His word are clearly displayed.
To provide songs of worship with lyrics that direct us both to worship God in a worthy manner (Hebrews 12:28-29; 1 Peter 2:9) and to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called (Ephesians 4:1).
To provide excellent music to support and highlight lyrics and content so as to point to the glory of God in Christ (2 Chronicles 5:11-14; Psalm 96; Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:19-21).
To point the body of Christ, individual members of one another and the collective gathering of the church, to the glory of Christ through the gospel (Colossians 1:27).
Music and the arts are consistently described in Scripture as demonstrating skill (Exodus 28:5; Exodus 31:2-6; Exodus 35:10; 1 Kings 7:13-14; 1 Chronicles 22:5; 1 Chronicles 15:22; 1 Chronicles 25:6-7; 2 Chronicles 34:12; Psalm 33:3).
All songs are made up of two elements: lyrics and music.
The entirety of both the lyrics and the music of any song of worship sung at Church of the Canyons must demonstrate excellence (see appendix).
Colossians 3:16 tells us, “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Congregational songs of worship are identified as part of the teaching ministry in the church.
Our songs of worship need to be as theologically rich as our sermons and our prayers.
While there is discussion as to the nature of “hymns and spiritual songs” in Colossians 3:16, there is no debate that “psalms” refer to the longest book of the Bible, the Hebrew song book, the book of Psalms.
Songs of worship based on the Psalms should be incorporated regularly.
If a song of worship is based on a psalm (ex., Mighty Fortress on Psalm 46) the connection should be made clear.