What is Worship? Should I worship God at home or at church? United Faith Church describes worship that is pleasing to God.

United Faith Church of Barnegat, NJ is a non-denominational, Bible-believing church established in 2006. United Faith Church exists to share the love of the Father to all people in the Barnegat community and surrounding areas. Recently, Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago of United Faith Church sat down for a conversation with Presentation Solutions to discuss how worship is more than a song; it is a lifestyle of praise and adoration, connecting the heart of the believer to the Father.

Presentation Solutions: What is worship?

United Faith Church: We teach that worship is one of the ways believers express thankfulness and adoration to God, not only for all that He does, but for who He is. God is the very one who, out of love, created us and continually gives us life and breath through His Son, Jesus Christ. For the people of United Faith Church in Barnegat, worship is a response to the goodness of God. United Faith Church teaches that worship is not just a form of singing or clapping, but it is a lifestyle. The Bible clearly instructs that believers are to worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). United Faith Church believes that to worship in spirit and in truth is to not only to sing, clap, or dance unto the Lord, but to live a life in alignment with the Word of God.

Presentation Solutions: What happens when believers worship?

United Faith Church: During worship believers begin to give glory, honor, and praise to the Lord Jesus. The Scriptures state that “the Lord inhabits the praises of His people” (Ps 22:3). As believers at United Faith Church begin to worship, the Lord inhabits their praises. This is exemplified as the presence of God fills the place where His people worship and the atmosphere of heaven comes to earth. United Faith Church delights in the presence of God that refreshes and empowers His Church during these times of worship. United Faith Church in Barnegat teaches that worship is also a time that God’s people come to a deeper knowledge and understanding of His heart. It is in worship that the bond of intimacy between the Lord Jesus and His children is strengthened.

Presentation Solutions: Why do you believe that personal acts of worship are so important to God?

United Faith Church: Throughout the Bible there are countless examples of people who either worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or the gods of other nations. United Faith Church acknowledges that God’s desire is for mankind to worship Him and Him alone. God pours out His blessing on those who solely worship Him because it is a fulfillment of His will. At United Faith Church, believers are taught to worship God because it pleases Him and brings glory to His Name. As believers worship, they are joining with all of heaven in submission to the Lord of All. God cherishes and lovingly receives the worship of His children as a fragrant offering, and He blesses them with His presence.

Presentation Solutions: How does worship in the Church today compare to worship of the Old and New Testament?

United Faith Church: In the Old Testament of the Bible, Israel’s greatest weapon of warfare was worship. When the people of Israel were outnumbered and faced with the deadly threat of war, they would begin to worship God. The result of Israel’s worship was victory over their enemies. King David, of the Old Testament, worshipped in times of joy, sorrow, victory, and even in times of loss. United Faith Church encourages believers that in all seasons we are to worship God as King, just as His people did in the Old Testament.

United Faith Church in Barnegat believes Christians become victorious over their circumstances as they worship the Lord Jesus. The beauty and power of worship is evident in the New Testament as well. Paul and Silas, while imprisoned, began to worship the Lord Jesus in the middle of the night. As Paul and Silas worshiped, God shook the foundations of the prison and set them free. In United Faith Church, believers learn to worship in the midst of all situations, whether good or bad. United Faith Church has experienced the freedom and victory that comes as God’s people worship their Lord, just as it had first been established with King David and will continue to be until we join with the angels in heaven.

Presentation Solutions: So, do you teach that God should be worshiped individually or corporately?

United Faith Church: Both! It is equally important for believers to worship God individually and corporately. United Faith Church recognizes the importance of a personal relationship with God through worship. Believers should individually practice worshiping the Lord Jesus as they seek to grow and come to a deeper knowledge of Him. United Faith Church also acknowledges the importance of God’s Church joining together to worship in unity. We are not to “forsake the gathering” (Heb. 10:25). God’s Church is a family of believers, and as a family it is important not to neglect having a corporate time of worship, which strengthens the unity amongst His people.

Presentation Solutions: How would you describe a worship service at United Faith Church in Barnegat?

United Faith Church: Worship services at United Faith Church usually include the reading of Scripture, prayer, and songs of worship. Through prayer and preparation, services at United Faith Church are arranged in advance, but are ultimately led by the Holy Spirit. At United Faith Church, believers may experience a time of thankfulness and celebration, a time to stand in awe of the holiness of God, a time of refreshment, and even a time of healing as God touches His people. Altogether, worship at United Faith Church is coming into the presence of God in order to give Him glory and experience His great power, love, and renewal.

Presentation Solutions: Why might your people sing, clap, and even lift their hands during worship?

United Faith Church: At United Faith Church, many believers may sing, clap, lift their hands, or even dance during worship as an outward expression of an inward transformation. As believers seek the Lord Jesus, they are transformed from the inside out. The Lord Jesus heals their brokenness and cleanses them from their sins against God. As believers experience this awesome work of the Lord Jesus, an inner joy begins to grow deep within. At United Faith Church, some believers express this inner joy by singing, clapping, dancing, or by many other expressions of celebration and thankfulness to God for all that He has done. This is what the Word speaks about when it declares that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Presentation Solutions: Much of the content in today’s music contains sexual, violent and self-degrading messages that have influenced our culture. How do you see worship counteracting the effects of such messages?

United Faith Church: Everything that we hear or set our minds on has an effect on our thinking. Today, so much music is filled with messages of fornication, drug abuse, violence, murder, and many other subjects that are opposed to God’s Word. These messages have negatively influenced our culture by promoting sinful behavior and rebellion against the ways of God.

United Faith Church teaches that as believers worship the Lord Jesus their minds become focused on His character. When believers focus their minds on the Lord Jesus and His Word, they become kingdom-minded. In other words, their thought-life becomes filled with Godly thoughts that enable believers to worship in spirit and in truth. The Word of God states to, “Fix your eyes upon Jesus” (Heb. 12:2). United Faith Church teaches that when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the sinful desires of the world and our flesh fade away, producing pure hearts of worship.

To learn more about the worship ministry at United Faith Church in Barnegat, visit unitedfaithchurch.org.