--- title: A New Year's Expectation Of Worship description: Respected arranger/music minister Marty Parks encourages worship leaders to develop a theology of worship that esteems God's greatness and preeminence. image: https://blog.discoverworship.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3323-1.jpg --- - [Home](http://www.discoverworship.com/home) - About - [About Us](http://www.discoverworship.com/about) - [Staff](http://www.discoverworship.com/about/staff) - [Pricing](http://www.discoverworship.com/pricing) - [FAQ](http://www.discoverworship.com/faq) - [Reviews](http://www.discoverworship.com/reviews) - [We Recommend](http://www.discoverworship.com/we-recommend) - Music - [Choral Music](http://www.discoverworship.com/store/download-products/choral-anthems-2) - [Praise & Worship](http://www.discoverworship.com/store/download-products/praise-worship-2) - [Musicals](http://www.discoverworship.com/store/download-products/musicals-2) - [Collections](http://www.discoverworship.com/store/download-products/collections-2) - 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[Drama](http://www.dramaministry.com/) Search [Blog Home](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles) # A New Year's Expectation Of Worship January 03, 2014 by [Marty Parks](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/author/marty-parks) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Image for Marty Parks blog for those involved in worship service planning to focus on God first rather than our own prerogatives](https://blog.discoverworship.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3323-1.jpg?width=699&name=3323-1.jpg "Image for Marty Parks blog for those involved in worship service planning to focus on God first rather than our own prerogatives") I've got friends who ask for advice, but what they really want is affirmation. They ask for guidance, but they're really looking for confirmation. They say things like, “I see what you're saying, but don't you think...” Or, “Oh, I understand, but I was thinking ...” In reality, it gets a little tiring. God doesn't work this way. Did you know He has certain expectations when it comes to the way we worship Him? For instance, Jesus said that the Father is looking for *worshipers* (you and me) who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (see [John 4](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A22-24&version=NIV)). He's not looking for a program, or a style, or a particular architecture, or flamboyant personalities, or even the newest song. He's looking for us, and His expectation is that we'll worship Him with a clean, pure and open attitude in a manner that's consistent with and based on His word; the truth that scripture affords. And He expects us to worship Him *according* to His excellent greatness (see [Psalm 150](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+150&version=NIV)). Not according to our personal preference or according to popular opinion. *According to* who He is and all He's done. When we see *according to* in scripture, it usually indicates “out of,” or “in relation to,” or “because of.” It has nothing to do with what *I* was thinking, or what *you* were thinking. It has everything to do with who He is and what He's done. So, as we look into a new year with all its hopes and dreams and, yes, expectations, can I challenge you to pray over, plan and present your offerings of worship in the spirit and truth of what our Father is seeking? And can I challenge you to do all this according to *His* excellent greatness? He expects no less. [![Download FREE e-Book: Looking FOURward with Marty Parks](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2934518/b8657d95-b41b-4629-a104-31c6eae113fa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2934518/b8657d95-b41b-4629-a104-31c6eae113fa) --- *--*[***Click here***](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/author/marty-parks) *for more helpful articles from writer/arranger/director Marty Parks.* Posted in: [Theology of Worship](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/topic/theology-of-worship), [Seasonal Resources](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/topic/seasonal-resources) ![Marty Parks](https://blog.discoverworship.com/hubfs/MartyParks.jpg) ### Marty Parks Marty Parks is a composer, arranger, orchestrator and producer with over 900 songs and arrangements in print. His work is represented by major choral print publishers around the country. He is a frequent conference leader and workshop speaker whose first devotional book, Quiet Moments for Worship Leaders, came out of his own experience in reflecting on the word of God, and out of his passion to see the same developed in others. His work, as well as current projects, activities and appearances, can be found at martyparks.com. 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