Simplicity of Worship

Our congregation is part of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ), a federation of churches that follow the Reformed tradition of Christian worship. Our church holds worship services twice each Sunday. Our worship services are based on the principles of Scripture, simplicity, and Christ-centeredness.

God has prescribed the proper form of worship in the Scriptures. Any action offered to Him without His prior command is in vain. Throughout history, certain solemn actions have been designated as acts of worship by God, and conforming to His appointments is a significant test of submission to Him. John Calvin considered worshipping God in the manner He prescribes in His Word and seeking righteousness solely through Christ as the two principal aspects of the Christian religion.

We also believe that worship should be simple and Christ-centered. We avoid anything that might distract from the focus on God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our worship services are designed to be a time for people to come together to worship God and grow in their faith.

Public worship is an important part of the Christian life. It is a time for us to gather together to worship God, to learn from his Word, and to grow in our faith.

The simplicity and purity of New Testament worship has an additional aspect. Worship forms that foreshadowed the arrival of Christ’s priesthood are no longer in use. Both the Old and New Testaments have worship focused on a priest. In the Old Testament, the Levitical priests conducted their service in an earthly sanctuary that simulated heavenly realities. After Christ made atonement for our sins, He ascended into heaven as our forerunner. He entered the true sanctuary beyond the veil. By His blood, we too can enter the holiest of all. In the New Testament, the church’s public worship centres around Christ’s priestly intercession, which grants us access to God. We direct our hearts toward the heavenly sanctuary in faith, just as the Old Testament people of God prayed facing Jerusalem and the mercy seat.

The simplicity of the New Testament worship in public worship is not a reduction of glory. Instead, the efficacy of Messiah’s priesthood displays the glory of our worship. The glory of our worship is the glory of Christ, in his power to purge the conscience of sin, constitute the ungodly righteous, and open the way to God. Even though the glory of our worship is not visible, the freedom of access to approach the presence of God beyond the veil exceeds any previous methods of worship found in the Old Testament. Christ, our High Priest, has entered the heavens to give us access to God. This is more powerful than the shadowy portrayal of it on earth.